Administration Apprentice (Merchandising)

Summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an Admin Apprentice to join our procurement function, You will be responsible for dealing with the merchandising and purchasing duties. You will also assist the Finance Director in a variety of purchasing and administrative tasks relating to the department.

Wage

£15,213.25 to £24,603.15, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

National Minimum Wage based on age.

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Hours (38.75 per week): 8.30am - 5.00pm, Monday - Friday (45 min unpaid lunch break).

38 hours 45 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

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 responsibilities:

Raise and expedite purchase orders to meet the demands of the business.
Communicate with suppliers over the phone and via email regarding delivery dates, orders and returns.
You will be responsible for managing the order confirmations with suppliers.
You will monitor the Purchasing email inbox and deal with the emails promptly.
You will oversee the supplier’s folders ensuring they are kept up to date with their catalogues, price lists and any other correspondence or literacy provided.
Resolving invoice queries.
Admin tasks as required to support the team.

Required skills:

IT and computer literate – Excel and Outlook knowledge preferred.
Ability to maintain and build good working relationships.
You must organise your workload and prioritise work to meet the demands of your role.
Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills.
Good attention to detail.
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Attitude:

Initiative and drive to identify issues & opportunities, overcome challenges & deliver under pressure.
Always demonstrate a friendly and enthusiastic attitude.
Willingness to assist the colleagues within your team.

Where you'll work

UNIT 2
CANALSIDE
NORTHBRIDGE ROAD
BERKHAMSTED
HP4 1EG

Training

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

College or training organisation

ISALES ACADEMY LIMITED

Your 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.

Your training plan

An apprenticeship includes regular training bi-monthly with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

More training information

Training Provider: iSales Academy LTD.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Administrative skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative

About this company

We are a small cog in a big wheel and part of a world leading manufacturing business. Since the groups foundation over 30 years ago, it has grown to become the market leader in their niche sector. Today, the group consists of 19 companies, a team of over 600 people, six production plants in Europe, America and Asia, an extensive sales network in over 100 countries and a vast range of products that includes over 50,000 different items. Think of us as the UK’s Sales & Marketing arm of this global business.

https://jma-uk.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• Office Based in Berkhamsted. • 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service. • Career progression opportunities available for successful candidates. • Social and team events.

After this apprenticeship

An apprenticeship allows you to earn a wage, gain valuable work experience and industry-specific competence.
Potential for full-time employment on successful completion of the apprenticeship.
Transferable skills that are invaluable in the wider world of business.

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