Procurement Apprentice

Sunderland City Council

Sunderland (SR1 3AA)

Closes in 9 days (Sunday 30 November 2025)

Posted on 21 November 2025

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Summary

Have you considered a career in procurement? It’s a fantastic choice, with continuous professional development, varied and rewarding work, as well as great career prospects! With Sunderland City Council's procurement apprenticeship, you will benefit from a structured learning programme, get hands-on experience and earn a salary.

Wage

£26,403 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Grade 3 (SCP 7-11) £26,403 – £28,142

Training course
Procurement and supply chain practitioner (level 4)
Hours
Typically working 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 5 January 2026

Duration

4 years 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

The key duties of this post will include:

Studying towards the following qualifications:

  • Level 4 Commercial Procurement and Supply (includes CIPS Level 4 Diploma)
  • CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply
  • Level 6 Senior Procurement Supply Chain Professional (includes CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply)
  • Supporting the development of procurement projects to help the Council achieve its strategic objectives.
  • Supporting the ongoing contract management of procurement activities to ensure expected outcomes are achieved.
  • Adopting the council’s processes, policies and guidance to safeguard consistency, quality and achievement of desired outcomes.
  • Supporting stakeholder management, liaising with members, suppliers and wider stakeholders in a professional, customer-focused manner. 

Where you'll work

City Hall
Plater Way
Sunderland
SR1 3AA

Training

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

Training provider

SR SUPPLY CHAIN CONSULTANTS LTD

Training course

Procurement and supply chain practitioner (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Manage relationships with stakeholders.
  • Interpret business requirements by assessing the demand for the product or service.
  • Undertake market analysis to establish potential routes to market.
  • Conduct benchmarking to evaluate costs against industry standards.
  • Prepare or contribute to the drafting of a sourcing plan which meets business needs, including corporate social responsibility factors.
  • Use the organisation's documentation designed for commercial procurement processes for the supply of goods and services.
  • Notify potential suppliers of proposal requirements.
  • Use selection and award criteria to source requirements from external suppliers evidencing how supplier bids are evaluated against them.
  • Analyse the financial implications of decisions and identify cost-saving opportunities.
  • Liaise and negotiate with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of purchased goods and services.
  • Support contract award and briefing of suppliers in line with the organisations processes and governance.
  • Monitor and manage contract performance to meet time, costs, service, and quality objectives.
  • Manage contract performance and advise suppliers on any areas for improvement.
  • Maintain contract documentation such as change control, version control.
  • Use IT and software to produce spreadsheets and presentation packages to communicate information.
  • Identify, raise, and facilitate discussions with stakeholders to resolve any issues or risks.
  • Analyses sustainability challenges and risks at each stage of the product or contract life cycle.
  • Manage information in accordance with policy and processes.
  • Continuously review work processes to identify and eliminate inefficiencies and simplify workflow.
  • Use available systems and tools to identify relevant data.
  • Interpret, analyse, and evaluate data through questioning to drive actionable intelligence and support decision making.
  • Use horizon scanning to identify future changes in procurement and contracting.
  • Manage relationships with stakeholders.
  • Interpret business requirements by assessing the demand for the product or service.
  • Undertake market analysis to establish potential routes to market.
  • Conduct benchmarking to evaluate costs against industry standards.
  • Prepare or contribute to the drafting of a sourcing plan which meets business needs, including corporate social responsibility factors.
  • Use the organisation's documentation designed for commercial procurement processes for the supply of goods and services.
  • Notify potential suppliers of proposal requirements.
  • Use selection and award criteria to source requirements from external suppliers evidencing how supplier bids are evaluated against them.
  • Analyse the financial implications of decisions and identify cost-saving opportunities.
  • Liaise and negotiate with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of purchased goods and services.
  • Support contract award and briefing of suppliers in line with the organisations processes and governance.
  • Monitor and manage contract performance to meet time, costs, service, and quality objectives.
  • Manage contract performance and advise suppliers on any areas for improvement.
  • Maintain contract documentation such as change control, version control.
  • Use IT and software to produce spreadsheets and presentation packages to communicate information.
  • Identify, raise, and facilitate discussions with stakeholders to resolve any issues or risks.
  • Analyses sustainability challenges and risks at each stage of the product or contract life cycle.
  • Manage information in accordance with policy and processes.
  • Continuously review work processes to identify and eliminate inefficiencies and simplify workflow.
  • Use available systems and tools to identify relevant data.
  • Interpret, analyse, and evaluate data through questioning to drive actionable intelligence and support decision making.
  • Use horizon scanning to identify future changes in procurement and contracting.

Training schedule

The apprenticeship programme is delivered by specialist training provider SRSCC, combining face-to-face teaching at the Northern Design Centre in Gateshead with remote tutor support. You’ll study towards Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) qualifications, building core procurement knowledge and skills.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English Language (grade 9-4)
  • Maths (grade 9-4)

A Level in:

Any (grade Worth 120 UCAS points)

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Ability to be proactive
  • Flexible & adaptable approach

Other requirements

Achievement of (or studying towards) 3 A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) worth 120 UCAS points (Predicted or Obtained).

About this employer

Sunderland is a city full of ambition, and Sunderland City Council is a brilliant place to grow your career. We’re passionate about creating the best possible environment for our employees, communities, and local businesses to thrive. With around 2,500 employees delivering a wide range of services across the city, we offer opportunities at every level and in many different areas. Whether you’re just starting out in employment or looking for your next challenge, every role plays a vital part in helping us provide excellent services for the people of Sunderland. Come and be part of something meaningful and help shape the future of our city.

https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme. 26 days leave plus bank hols Statutory & organisational sick pay. 3 days paid leave per year for voluntary work. Employee well-being support. Car lease scheme. Discounted public transport travel pass.

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

You will undertake the following qualifications via hybrid training, taking you from a Level 4 qualification, right through to Level 6 MCIPS status: Level 4 Commercial Procurement and Supply
CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply
Level 6 Senior Procurement Supply Chain Professional

Procurement Manager could be a career route on completion.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SR SUPPLY CHAIN CONSULTANTS LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000001645.

Apply now

Closes in 9 days (Sunday 30 November 2025)

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.