Apprentice Purchasing Administrator
NSG ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITED
Berkshire, Chorley
Closes in 27 days (Tuesday 30 June 2026)
Posted on 3 June 2026
Contents
Summary
The Apprentice Purchasing Administrator supports the Procurement team while completing an apprenticeship by carrying out procurement admin tasks, maintaining records, and assisting with low‑risk purchasing under supervision. The role provides structured training, mentoring, and development to support progression to a Purchase Administrator.
- Wage
-
£15,600 to £24,784.50, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)
- Hours
-
Week 1
Monday - Thursday, 7:30am - 4:45pm.
Friday, 7:30am - 12:30pm.
Week 2
Monday - Thursday, 7:30am - 4:45pm.
Friday, non working day.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years
- 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
Purchase Request & Order Support
- Assist with reviewing purchase requests for completeness under supervision.
Support the entry of PRs into the procurement system for approval. - Help Buyers prepare draft purchase orders for low-risk items following guidance.
- Learn and apply purchase order processes, coding, and approval routes.
Goods Receipting & Documentations Processing
- Match delivery notes to purchase orders and support the recording of goods received.
- Help resolve basic documentation issues by contacting suppliers or internal teams.
- File and maintain procurement documentation in line with departmental standards.
- Support invoice matching processes by providing accurate information to Finance.
Supplier Administration & Onboarding Support
- Assist with collecting supplier documentation (insurance, certificates, contact details).
- Help maintain central supplier details in supply chain management software and supplier records in procurement filing structure.
- Support the tracking of outstanding supplier information and reminders.
Procurement Mailbox Management
- Monitor the central procurement mailbox under supervision.
- Record incoming work data for reporting purposes.
- Allocate basic requests to appropriate team members.
- Respond to simple enquiries using standard templates.
Low-Risk, Low Value Sourcing
- Support with obtaining quotes for simple, low‑value items.
- Compare basic pricing information using departmental templates.
- Ensure all sourcing follows procurement guidance and is reviewed by a Purchasing Administrator or Buyer or Administrator
Data Entry, Record Keeping & System Support
Maintain accurate data entry across NSG systems and shared folders.
Assist with scanning, filing, naming, and organising documents.
Ensure records are complete, tidy, and audit ready.
Development, Training & Learning
- Complete apprenticeship learning modules on time and to expected standards.
- Participate in internal training, shadowing, and team development sessions.
- Build understanding of processes, templates, and governance.
Demonstrate increasing independence as competency grows.
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:
- Calleva Park, Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 8UB
- Matrix Park, Western Avenue, Buckshaw Village, Chorley, PR7 7NB
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
More training information
Depending on experience and previous qualifications, you will either progress directly into a 15‑month Level 3 Procurement & Supply apprenticeship or complete a 3‑year ‘Fast Track’ programme. This programme is designed for individuals with little or no procurement experience and provides the opportunity to achieve a CIPS Certificate or Diploma. It aligns with the Level 3 Business Administration and Procurement & Supply Chain apprenticeships, as well as the CIPS syllabus.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Desirable qualifications
IOSH in:
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
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
About this employer
NSG Environmental Ltd has been delivering work programmes in the nuclear industry for over 40 years. Traditionally in the areas of decommissioning and waste management, NSG now has a broad customer base and provides a wide spectrum of services across the nuclear project lifecycle, ranging from expert consultancy support, R&D and engineering design to rekit and refurbishment, site installation services and high-hazard physical decommissioning works, amongst others. This work is delivered at NSG’s own offices and purpose-built facilities and nuclear sites across the UK. The delivery and management of these projects and programmes of work is carried out by a skilled workforce composed of both white-collar and blue-collar personnel in technical, administrative, and physical roles.
Our core values of Passion, Integrity, Challenge and Collaboration drive performance and ensure we add significant value. If joining us as a member of staff, we will support your professional development in an exciting and challenging work environment that will enable you to use, develop and hone your technical expertise in a supportive and collaborative working environment.
Company benefits
Life Assurance 3x Salary
Private Healthcare package
Pension – Company contributes 5% Individual contributes 4%
Discretionary bonus
187.5 hours per year holiday allowance
After this apprenticeship
Development opportunities leading toward progression into a full Purchase Administrator role.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE APPRENTICE ACADEMY LIMITED
nsgrecruitment@nsgltd.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000034536.
Apply now
Closes in 27 days (Tuesday 30 June 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.