Procurement and Supply Assistant Apprentice

VULCAN SEALS

Sheffield (S7 2QA)

Closes on Wednesday 10 December 2025

Posted on 5 November 2025

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Summary

Are you looking to launch a career in procurement and supply chain management? Vulcan Engineering Limited is offering the fantastic opportunity to join our team as a Procurement and Supply Assistant Apprentice with the chance to gain a CIPs level 3 qualification.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary will be based upon the level the apprentice is entering at factoring in experience and age.

Training course
Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Thursday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. Friday, 9.00am to 4.30pm. 30 minutes paid lunch, Monday to Thursday. 45 minutes on a Friday. 20 minutes of paid breaks each day.

39 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 5 January 2026

Duration

1 year 3 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

  • Supporting both the procurement and logistics departments.
  • Helping to ensure smooth operations across our supply chain.
  • Processing orders and managing inventory.
  • Maintaining accurate data in MRP/ERP/SAP systems.
  • Communicating with suppliers and internal teams.
  • Supporting departmental KPIs and continuous improvement.

Where you'll work

Unit 10, The South West Centre
Troutbeck Road
Sheffield
S7 2QA

Training

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

Training provider

THE APPRENTICE ACADEMY LIMITED

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.

Training schedule

  • Weekly online interactive learning sessions with a CIPS trainer.
  • The CIPS Level 3 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations.
  • Monthly online one-to-one coaching with an experienced procurement coach.
  • Access to Profex Pass Kits and CIPS online resources.
  • Peer-to-peer learning with other procurement apprentices.
  • Duration: 13-15 months.
  • Potential progression opportunity to Level 4 CIPS Apprenticeship.

Requirements

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
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

- Proactive "can-do" attitude and eagerness to learn. - Proficient in Microsoft programmes, especially Excel. - Experience with MRP/ERP or SAP systems beneficial but not required.

About this employer

Vulcan Seals is dedicated to being the world's best standard mechanical and encapsulated seal manufacturer and supplier. From the beginning in 1986, Vulcan Seals has been built on foundations that allow us to deliver exceptional customer service to our partners, At Vulcan Seals, we operate on three fundamental beliefs: - Our people give their best when we show that we care - We work best with our clients when we collaborate - Technology and investment are changing our business Our Vision is to “Embrace Excellence – Vulcan Principles, Service, Quality and Value” and we can only achieve this with engaged colleagues who feel truly valued. That’s why we promise to create an environment where everyone can thrive and be their best every day.

 Everything we do is underpinned by our values and principles. They form the basis of our culture and show the outside world what we are all about and how we do things at Vulcan Seals. More information about us and the history of Vulcan Seals can be found on our website.

https://www.vulcanseals.com/about/our-company (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Full company benefits handbook to be provided to applicants prior to interview.

After this apprenticeship

  • Role within our Procurement and Supply Chain Team as Procurement and Supply Chain Co-ordinator.
  • Potential to progress onto Level 4 CIPS apprenticeship.

 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

VULCAN SEALS

Meg Needham

HR@vulcanseals.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000348985.

Apply now

Closes on Wednesday 10 December 2025

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