UK Business Administration Apprentice

OPTIMAS OE SOLUTIONS LTD

Gloucester (GL2 2FR)

Closes in 13 days (Friday 25 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 11 July 2025

Print

Contents

Summary

You will support, explore & learn multiple facets of a dynamic, multi-nationally focused business. You will be working directly in our Customer Services, Commercial & Bid, & Quality departments. Your final assessment will focus on a specific department & will be discussed with you as part of your ongoing development in the role.

Wage

£15,190.50 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm. (One day a week at home to focus on college work).

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 25 August 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

3

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Your duties will include completing the following tasks within the various departments:

Customer Services:

  • Communication with customer via phone and email: order requests, order changes, order status, tracking information, shipping discrepancies, invoice errors and quality issues
  • Responsible for all system transactions to service customer entering orders, expediting orders, tracking order status, managing returns, maintaining customer data integrity, and resolving invoice discrepancies
  • Generating sales leads by suggesting information about other products and services, manage customer order books, including initiating and follow-up to resolve issues, answer questions and correspondence and complete reports as it relates to the customer base
  • Provide assistance and Support to the Sales Organisation Team as assigned

Commercial & Bid:

  • Support New Business opportunities by providing our best commercially competitive offer in line with Company objectives and in line with customer requirements
  • Develop collaborative dialogue with all customer and supplier contacts to support active negotiations on outstanding business opportunities
  • Support our Supply Chain and Sourcing in ensuring current partners are aligned to market conditions and identify potential risks

Quality:

  • Liaise directly with suppliers to ensure problems with supplied products are promptly addressed
  • Fulfil quality control at goods inwards inspection
  • Manage quality release activity relating to new/changed products

Where you'll work

OPTIMAS OE SOLUTIONS LTD Waterwells Drive Quedgeley
Gloucester
GL2 2FR

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

GLOUCESTERSHIRE COLLEGE

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
  • Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
  • Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
  • Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
  • Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
  • Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
  • Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
  • Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

  • Business Administrator Standard
  • Workplace delivery

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Team working

Other requirements

Please note shortlisted candidates will be required to attend an Assessment Day on Thursday 31st July.

About this company

Optimas is a global distributor of integrated supply chain solutions, and engineering support focused on delivering fasteners, components, industrial and safety supplies to our diverse customers around the world. Our local, on-the-ground teams understand the nuances of every community we serve. This allows us to adapt with our customers and partners as needs evolve, leveraging our footprint to remain at your side while providing a highly personalized level of service and support no matter where you find yourself around the globe.

https://optimas.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

20 days Holiday, Christmas shut down (24th Dec – 2nd Jan) and Bank Holidays. Sick Pay after 1 years’ service. Company Pension 3 and 5%

After this apprenticeship

Potential position upon completion of the apprenticeship. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

GLOUCESTERSHIRE COLLEGE

GC Employer Training and Apprenticeships

Apprenticeshipvacancies@gloscol.ac.uk

0345 155 2020

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000331147.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Friday 25 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.