Business Apprenticeship - Purchasing Assistant

GROOMERS LTD

THATCHAM (RG19 6HN)

Closes in 21 days (Saturday 3 October 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 11 September 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

Are you keen to develop a wide range of administration skills? In this role you would work closely with the Buying, Finance, Brand and E-commerce teams ensuring information is accurate, products are ordered, received and available for sale, following queries through to completion - while you learn the full purchasing process. 

Wage

£18,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

You will also receive 25 days holiday per annum, pension scheme (after 3 months), free parking on site, and access to a market leading Employee Assistance Programme from BUPA.

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 5.00pm and Friday 8.30am - 4.00pm.

37 hours 45 minutes a week

Start date

Saturday 10 October 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

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Support the day-to-day administration of purchasing, including raising purchase orders and ensuring information is accurate and up to date
  • Communicate with suppliers, placing orders, obtaining confirmations and keeping track of expected deliveries
  • Maintain accurate product and supplier information, including costs, pricing and new product details across our systems
  • Support new product set-up and listings, working with different teams to ensure all information is complete and correct
  • Help resolve day-to-day queries and issues, including delivery discrepancies, pricing queries and missing information, escalating where needed
  • Work with colleagues across the business to keep purchasing processes running smoothly, while looking for ways to improve and taking ownership of tasks through to completion

Where you'll work

137 GREENHAM BUSINESS PARK
GREENHAM
THATCHAM
RG19 6HN

Training

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

Training provider

WEST BERKSHIRE TRAINING CONSORTIUM

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
  • Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
  • Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
  • Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
  • Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
  • Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
  • Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
  • Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Training schedule

The Apprentice would work towards the Business Administrator Standard, this would be through blended learning, live Tutor-led training sessions once a month at our training centre in Newbury alongside a monthly 1-1 training and review meeting.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • maths (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
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Multi Task
  • Can-do Attitude
  • Reliable
  • Eager to learn

About this employer

The Groomers story began in the 1990s with a dog groomer, a vet school and an idea to reduce dry, itchy skin and hair loss in dogs. This led to the development of Evening Primrose Oil Shampoo, designed to help restore their coats and replenish their skin. Since then, we have expanded our animal bathing range considerably, and now supply an extensive range of equipment to professional groomers and a full range of pet supplies. We still manufacture our own brand bathing liquids, including that famous Evening Primrose Oil Shampoo, and are now one of the leading supply companies in the industry, doing our best to provide everything needed to groom pets with care and get amazing results in the process. We’ve recently introduced our My-Pet platform, especially for pet owners, which brings professional expertise to home grooming.

https://www.groomers-online.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

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

This will be a fixed term contract for the duration of the apprenticeship, the expectation is that for the right candidate there would be the possibility of a permanent role and further personal development.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WEST BERKSHIRE TRAINING CONSORTIUM

Rachel Eaves

rachel@wbtc-uk.com

07922 426414

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000053179.

Apply now

Closes in 21 days (Saturday 3 October 2026 at 11:59pm)