Business Administrator Apprentice

Harlow Bros Limited

Loughborough (LE12 5DE)

Closes in 25 days (Monday 8 September 2025)

Posted on 14 August 2025

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Summary

We are looking for a dedicated Business Administrator Apprentice to join our team in Long Whatton. As a Business Administrator at Harlow Bros Ltd, you will play a pivotal role in supporting our sales team and facilitating smooth communication between the sales department and manufacturing teams.

Wage

£15,704 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
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8.15am - 5.15pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 6 October 2025

Duration

1 year 6 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

  • Processing orders, maintaining order and delivery schedules in the internal system, updating customers on order status as needed
  • Assisting with quoting, preparing sales proposals, and responding to customer inquiries
  • Maintain up-to-date records of all sales transactions, orders, and communications with customers, ensuring documentation is filed and easily accessible
  • Serving as a point of contact for customers regarding order status, product availability, delivery schedules and issues & complaints
  • Generating regular reports for management, providing insights into sales performance, product inventory, and delivery metrics
  • Liaising with colleagues from various departments to ensure product specifications and time schedules are met

Where you'll work

Hathern Road
Long Whatton
Loughborough
LE12 5DE

Training

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

Training provider

LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE

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.

Training schedule

  • Within the first 15 months, additional training is delivered at Loughborough College, one morning a week for 12 weeks, dates are subject to the enrolment date

  • Online portfolio to update with learning and development completed onsite

  • Diarised visits from a dedicated trainer/assessor 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English and Maths (grade 4/C or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills

About this employer

Harlow Bros are a Timber Merchants and Mill that create specialised products to sell to trade and to the public, along with general wood supplies throughout the East Midlands.

http://www.harlowbros.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• Life assurance cover • Access to 24/7 online GP • 10% discount across Harlow Bros branches • Employee assistance programme • Extras retail discounts & Byond Card • Employee Referral Scheme • In House Training and Recognised qualifications

After this apprenticeship

Can look to progress into the technical sales side or working more with design but this all depends on the individual and the direction they wish to take.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE

Sophia Cleaver

apprenticeships@loucoll.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000337167.

Apply now

Closes in 25 days (Monday 8 September 2025)

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