Procurement Apprentice

Summary

This role provides hands-on experience of procurement activities whilst you are supported through completing your CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement & Supply. This job is a chance to learn foundational skills, including but not limited to, ordering, invoice processing, and record-keeping of the procurement process.

Wage

£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)

Hours

Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 3 November 2025

Duration

1 year 7 months

Positions available

1

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

Assist with sourcing goods and services that deliver value for money
Support supplier relationships and provide excellent customer service
Learn to ensure compliance with procurement policies and regulations
Collaborate with various teams to understand their procurement needs
Source suppliers for goods on an ongoing basis to ensure cost-effective spending of funds
Process purchase orders in a timely and accurate manner
Ensure the correct, authorised signature is present on all requisitions prior to purchasing goods and services, in accordance with standing financial instructions

Where you'll work

THE DEANE HOUSE
BELVEDERE ROAD
TAUNTON
TA1 1HE

Training

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

College or training organisation

CIPS CORPORATE SERVICES LIMITED

Your training course

Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Monitor and order products, stock, equipment and services at appropriate times using the appropriate procurement method.
Communicate to procurement's internal stakeholders, suppliers and other stakeholders in order to develop effective relationships and networks
Create, maintain and amend purchase order and contract records.
Interpret, evaluate and compare procurement information such as historical spend and usage using databases and spreadsheets.
Present findings and data in all formats e.g. mathematically, written and oral.
Determine value for money (VFM) and added value through the use of Total Cost of Ownership during the evaluation process, and apply the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) criteria to the evaluation of quotes and tenders to support the recommendation at award. This may include the inclusion of green, low carbon, sustainability, and ethical criteria.
Utilise relevant Procurement computer systems or internal databases.
Select the supplier of the most appropriate products and services for purchases within their remit and place purchase order.
Undertake appraisal of adhoc and low spend suppliers including setting them up on the purchasing system.
Effectively research and analyse demand, spend, trends, potential suppliers and industries utilising qualitative and quantitative methods.
Develop specifications of requirements and requests for quotes/tenders in line with organisational requirements.
Apply considerations of responsible procurement in evaluating potential suppliers, quotes and tenders.
Investigate and resolve purchase order, delivery and invoice queries.
Own low risk value projects such as supply contracts for stationery, personal protective equipment (PPE) or other consumables, and contribute to higher risk activities such as contracts for building services or machinery, and track, log, expedite and review outstanding orders and stock availability where applicable.
Maintain knowledge on all open orders and their status' and provide assistance to all purchasing staff e.g. expediting and feeding information back to the relevant stakeholders.
Able to consider the impact of the decision making process when interacting with the supply chain.
Able to support the contract negotiations and mini competitions with suppliers.
Monitor and order products, stock, equipment and services at appropriate times using the appropriate procurement method.
Communicate to procurement's internal stakeholders, suppliers and other stakeholders in order to develop effective relationships and networks
Create, maintain and amend purchase order and contract records.
Interpret, evaluate and compare procurement information such as historical spend and usage using databases and spreadsheets.
Present findings and data in all formats e.g. mathematically, written and oral.
Determine value for money (VFM) and added value through the use of Total Cost of Ownership during the evaluation process, and apply the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) criteria to the evaluation of quotes and tenders to support the recommendation at award. This may include the inclusion of green, low carbon, sustainability, and ethical criteria.
Utilise relevant Procurement computer systems or internal databases.
Select the supplier of the most appropriate products and services for purchases within their remit and place purchase order.
Undertake appraisal of adhoc and low spend suppliers including setting them up on the purchasing system.
Effectively research and analyse demand, spend, trends, potential suppliers and industries utilising qualitative and quantitative methods.
Develop specifications of requirements and requests for quotes/tenders in line with organisational requirements.
Apply considerations of responsible procurement in evaluating potential suppliers, quotes and tenders.
Investigate and resolve purchase order, delivery and invoice queries.
Own low risk value projects such as supply contracts for stationery, personal protective equipment (PPE) or other consumables, and contribute to higher risk activities such as contracts for building services or machinery, and track, log, expedite and review outstanding orders and stock availability where applicable.
Maintain knowledge on all open orders and their status' and provide assistance to all purchasing staff e.g. expediting and feeding information back to the relevant stakeholders.
Able to consider the impact of the decision making process when interacting with the supply chain.
Able to support the contract negotiations and mini competitions with suppliers.

Your training plan

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, individuals will have achieved the CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement & Supply, a globally recognised qualification
Training will be a combination of on the job and off the job
The off-the-job element will include classroom-style learning and revision days as well as one-to-one tutor sessions
Study guides, eBooks and eLearning will be provided

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade Grade/Level 5 or above)
Maths (grade Grade/Level 5 or above)

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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Team working

Other requirements

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria required to become an apprentice, as outlined on the GOV.UK website.

About this company

Taunton Town Council covers the previously unparished area of Taunton and parts of neighbouring parishes which were considered under a Community Governance Review. The Town Council takes in the unparished area of Taunton and the entirety of the former Comeytrowe Parish, the urban area within the former Maidenbrook Ward of Cheddon Fitzpaine Parish, and the majority of the former Staplegrove Parish. We currently have approx. 70 employees who provide our services. The Council is split into the following departments: Corporate Services, Operations and Assets, Community and Place, and Finance. This post would sit within the Finance service.

https://www.taunton-tc.gov.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

If there is a vacancy available at the end of the apprenticeship, the successful applicant can apply.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CIPS CORPORATE SERVICES LIMITED

Nicky Rendell

hr@taunton-tc.gov.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000332316.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Thursday 31 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.

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