Material Controller – Apprentice

Buhler UK Limited

London (E16 2BF)

Closes in 18 days (Monday 21 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 3 September 2026

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Summary

Kickstart your career as a Material Controller Apprentice and gain hands-on experience in procurement, purchasing, inventory and supply chain operations within a global engineering company. Work alongside experienced professionals, develop valuable skills and build a strong foundation for a successful career in procurement and supply.

Wage

£18,525 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£18,525 in the first year, in line with the applicable Apprentice Rate thereafter

Training course
Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm; 30 minute unpaid lunch break.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Wednesday 23 September 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

To execute the materials requirements, planned according to forecasted and sales order demand ensuring all required materials are supplied to meet production and customer requirements.

  • Manage LS purchasing file and attend the daily line walks with the necessary material updates and expedite actions on newly identified shortages
  • Highlight / escalate any material issues that are likely to affect production
  • Release of material purchase orders according to the material requirement plan
  • Manage stores queries relating to quantity issues
  • Manage NCR’s for returns / replacement and credit note

Where you'll work

20 Atlantis Avenue
London
E16 2BF

Training

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

Training provider

HIGH RIDGE TRAINING LTD

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

  • Work based training supported by a tutor from High Ridge Training
  • You’ll be expected to take an active approach to your learning, developing the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to become a qualified Material Controller
  • The apprenticeship training is delivered online
  • This includes a successful completion of the Level 3 Procurement and Supply Assistant qualification

More training information

At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Adaptability
  • Leadership & Initiative
  • Commercial Awareness
  • Customer Focus
  • Planning & Organisation
  • Attention to Detail
  • Results Driven
  • Good Communication Skills
  • Problem Solving
  • Decision Making
  • Teamwork & Collaboration
  • ERP & IT Skills
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Analytical Thinking

Other requirements

Essential: Familiarity with (MS Word, Excel etc & MRP systems.

Experience:

  • Knowledge of ERP systems (SAP would be an advantage)

  • Demonstrate ability to problem solving

  • Demonstrable ability to drive improvements

  • Production process understanding would be an advantage

About this employer

Bühler is active in over 140 countries and has more than 13,000 employees worldwide. Two billion people consume foods that are made with Bühler processes on a daily basis. These include flour, rice, pasta, chocolate, coffee, and beer. We are continuously working to create sustainable innovations for a better world. Our aim is to transform the world’s most pressing food and mobility challenges into sustainable technologies, process solutions and services. Our UK business has been in operation since 1928. Our UK Optical Sorter Business Unit headquarters and manufacturing facility are conveniently located in the London Docklands, where the Quality Industrial Intern role will also be based.

http://www.buhlergroup.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • 25 days holiday + bank holidays + 1 celebration day
  • Aegon Pension Plan
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Bupa Health and Dental Cash Plan
  • Employee perks and discounts (Telus)

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you’ll have the skills, knowledge and industry experience to progress within procurement, purchasing, materials management and supply chain.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

HIGH RIDGE TRAINING LTD

Sheena Adobas

sheena.adobas@highridgetraining.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000051322.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Monday 21 September 2026 at 11:59pm)