Purchasing and Logistics Apprentice

Acres Engineering Limited

DERBY (DE73 8JB)

Closes on Saturday 27 June 2026

Posted on 13 May 2026

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Summary

Acres Engineering are looking to appoint an apprentice to support their purchasing and logistics function, working alongside experienced colleagues to keep materials and products moving efficiently.

• Wage:

  £16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Personalised pay matrix with increments every 3 months depending on performance.

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.30pm 30 minute lunch break

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Wednesday 1 July 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 6 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

As a Purchasing and Logistics Apprentice, your role would be to support the purchasing and logistics function through accurate administration, supplier communication and coordination of deliveries, ensuring materials and products move through the business efficiently, safely and on time. This would allow you to develop technical, commercial and organisational skills while contributing to a culture of continuous improvement, discipline and professionalism.

Your day-to-day duties would include:

• Working collaboratively with Purchasing, Stores, Production, Fabrication, Assembly and Paint teams
• Ensuring materials are available, deliveries are managed effectively and customer shipments are prepared and dispatched accurately
• Supporting supplier communication, logistics co-ordination and stock management
• Developing an understanding of the full manufacturing and supply chain process

Where you'll work

UNIT A
CASTLE LANE
MELBOURNE
DERBY
DE73 8JB

Training

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

Training provider

DCG

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

You will complete college training remotely in the workplace

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4/C)
• Maths (grade 4/C)

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
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Responsibility
• Commercial awareness

Other requirements

• This role is fast-paced and deadline-driven, supporting production and customer delivery schedules
• You will be required to manage multiple tasks at once, including orders, deliveries and supplier communication
• The role involves a mix of office-based work and time spent in the workshop/stores area
• You will need to be confident communicating with suppliers and internal teams, both by email and phone
• The role requires high attention to detail, as errors in purchasing or logistics can impact production and delivery
• You will be expected to follow up and chase suppliers to ensure materials arrive on time
• The role includes administrative tasks, including data entry and maintaining accurate records
• You may be required to assist with goods inwards and dispatch, including checking deliveries and preparing items for shipment
• Some manual handling may be required (training provided), such as moving smaller items or assisting with packing
• You will need to be comfortable working in a structured, process-driven environment
• The role requires reliability and punctuality, as delays can affect the wider production team
• You will be expected to learn both on the job and through formal apprenticeship training/college attendance
• Occasional pressure situations may arise when dealing with urgent orders or late deliveries

About this employer

Acres Engineering Ltd is a specialist turnkey manufacturing SME based in Melbourne, Derbyshire. The company delivers high-value fabricated and engineered solutions to world-leading organisations across sectors including aerospace, automotive, defence and energy.

Operating within a modern, well-equipped engineering facility, Acres provides end-to-end capability from design and manufacture through to assembly and installation. The business focuses on complex, medium to high volume projects where engineering expertise adds significant value.

Acres Engineering employs a skilled and growing team and is known for its hands-on, collaborative working environment, where individuals are encouraged to develop practical skills and contribute to continuous improvement.

The company is recognised for both its engineering excellence and its commitment to people. Acres is a Gold Award holder of the Armed Forces Covenant, actively supporting veterans and reservists, and has also been recognised at a national level through the King’s Award for Enterprise (Promoting Opportunity) for its work in creating pathways into engineering for individuals from diverse and non-traditional backgrounds.

Through its People First approach, Acres Engineering continues to invest in apprenticeships, skills development and community engagement, demonstrating how a small business can deliver meaningful impact alongside technical excellence.

https://acres.engineering (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• Private Health Scheme after 6 months’ probation completed
• Employee of the month scheme with prizes
• Free Hot lunch each day
• Staff 'Thank You' Days
• Bike to Work scheme

After this apprenticeship

• After the successful completion of this apprenticeship, you could secure a permanent role in a procurement or logistics team

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DCG

Fliss Rogers

fliss.rogers@derby-college.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000031604.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 27 June 2026