Buying Apprentice
QTS GROUP LTD.
Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Preston
Closes in 8 days (Friday 5 June 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 28 May 2026
Contents
Summary
The Buying Apprentice will support the procurement team in sourcing, purchasing, and managing materials, equipment, and services required for construction projects.
- Wage
-
Competitive
Competitive wage offered
- Training course
- Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 5.00pm
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 months
- Positions available
-
2
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 in the sourcing and procurement of construction materials, equipment, and subcontracted services in line with project specifications and company policies
- Support the development and maintenance of effective relationships with suppliers and vendors
- Learn and assist in negotiating pricing and terms to achieve best value for the organisation
- Help prepare and process purchase orders, contracts, and associated documentation in accordance with company procedures
- Support the resolution of supplier queries, including invoice discrepancies, delivery issues, and damage claims
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of purchases, supplier performance, and communications
- Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, ethical standards, and sustainability objectives
- Collaborate with production, commercial, and other internal teams to support effective project delivery and customer service
- Contribute to reporting and auditing processes by maintaining organised procurement data.
- Actively participate in training, development programmes, and apprenticeship requirements (including off-the-job learning and CPD activities)
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- 5 Springwell Court, Leeds, LS12 1AL
- 73 King Street, Manchester, M2 4NG
- Baxter House, Robey Close, Linby, Nottingham, NG15 8AA
- 39-40 Dollywaggon Way, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 6EW
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CIPS CORPORATE SERVICES 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
To be confirmed
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 3)
- Maths (grade 3)
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
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
About this employer
We are one of the country’s leading railway contractors providing specialist services in a variety of disciplines. With UK-wide reach we’re able to provide efficient, high-quality work no matter the remit.
QTS Group is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability or age.
https://www.qtsgroup.com (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Company Pension
- Employee Health Assistance Scheme
- 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Range of optional benefits
- Excellent Training & Development
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
- Once the apprenticeship has been successfully achieved you will move into a substantive Buying Officer role with the opportunity to continue wiht CIPS study/accreditation
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CIPS CORPORATE SERVICES LIMITED
Earlycareers@QTSgroup.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000033481.
Apply now
Closes in 8 days (Friday 5 June 2026 at 11:59pm)