Procurement Apprentice
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Greater Manchester (SK2 7JE)
Closes in 15 days (Sunday 21 June 2026)
Posted on 4 June 2026
Contents
Summary
NHS organisations across the North West recruit apprentices annually on to the Skills Development Network Foundation Apprenticeship, offering the chance to study the Level 3 Procurement & Supply Assistant Apprenticeship, whilst working in teams responsible for buying in products and services at the right price across a variety of areas.
- Wage
-
£21,216 a year
- Training course
- Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, working hours TBC
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 2 September 2026
- Duration
-
2 years
- 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
Working within an NHS organisation you will be required to provide support in the procurement and supply management of goods and services.
Ensuring maximum efficiency of resources and achievement of value for money through a range of skills and techniques which will include ordering, invoice processing and record keeping of the procurement process.
Where you'll work
Stepping Hill Hospital
Poplar Grove
Stockport
Greater Manchester
SK2 7JE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ENCOMPASS CONSULTANCY 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
Day release training is delivered virtually studying an industry recognised qualification i.e. Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Level 3 Advanced Certificate.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4+)
- Mathematics (grade 4+)
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
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Initiative
- Reliable and Punctual
- Good interpersonal skills
- Professional attitude to work
Other requirements
Apprentices are paid for their normal working hours and training that is part of their apprenticeship.
All training related travel expenses are paid by the employer. 27 days annual leave per year plus Bank Holidays.
About this employer
Almost 2 million people make up the NHS workforce with over 350 different careers being split into 15 categories, one of which encompasses those who work in Procurement, the purchase of goods and services. Whilst the NHS workforce is growing it is not rapid enough to keep up with demand meaning action is required to ensure the NHS has enough staff in place to deliver high-quality care for patients as well as developing the service for the future. The NHS has a multi-billion pound budget to deliver an efficient, modern, safe and effective healthcare service with billions spent each year in procurement enabling the NHS to operate effectively on a day-to-day basis. NHS procurement systems have been under enormous pressure during the coronavirus pandemic which has created unprecedented levels of demand for some goods and services; this has required skill, resourcefulness and professionalism of staff working in this area of the service.
After this apprenticeship
This opportunity is advertised on a fixed term contract basis due to this being an apprenticeship, the objective of which is to gain a recognised qualification and experience in the workplace. This does not include a guaranteed permanent post with an NHS organisation, however throughout the apprenticeship individuals are eligible to apply for vacancies within their workplace organisation, subject to the usual recruitment processes, with support being provided to ideally secure a position by completion. The apprenticeship will provide valuable work experience and a qualification that is recognised by employers.
On completion successful candidates could have the opportunity to continue to a higher level apprenticeship studying the CIPS Level 4 Diploma working towards achieving full membership and ultimately chartered professional status.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ENCOMPASS CONSULTANCY LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000034151.
Apply now
Closes in 15 days (Sunday 21 June 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.