Apprentice Purchaser

Introduction

This is an exciting entry-level opportunity for someone looking to start a career in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain. As Apprentice Purchaser, you will work alongside our experienced Warehouse & Purchasing Manager, learning the fundamentals of purchasing operations in a busy, real-world environment.

About the Employer

Since it’s conception in 1997, Sportsafe now employs over 65 staff at three locations in Essex (head office), Manchester and Scotland.

Sportsafe offers installation, service and sales of sports and fitness equipment to more than 10,000 customers from the Shetland Isles to the South Coast in the including primary and secondary schools, private schools, sports centres, care homes and more than 120 county councils and fire, police and NHS authorities.  The company is ISO 9001; ISO 14001, Safecontractor, CHAS, AFPE accredited.

What You'll Do

As you grow in confidence and capability, your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Raising purchase orders where sales orders cannot be fulfilled from existing stock
• Ensuring purchase orders contain all necessary information so that goods and services are delivered correctly and on time
• Contacting suppliers to check pricing, confirm delivery dates, and chase outstanding orders
• Entering and processing delivery notes accurately into our systems
• Responding to queries from internal teams and suppliers by phone and email in a timely and professional manner
• Supporting the development of supplier relationships to improve service and responsiveness
• Maintaining accurate filing and records for the purchasing department
• Keeping purchase order due dates up to date and flagging potential issues proactively
• Following company procedures for record-keeping and system updates
• Supporting wider service departments and contributing to shared business goals
• Adhering to all company Health & Safety, Quality, and HR policies

Training Outcome

• Includes the option to continue on as an apprentice and work towards a higher CIPS qualification or move into a purchasing assistant role within Sportsafe

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Team working
• Initiative

Qualifications

• Essential - GCSE - maths and English - 9-4/A*-C

Course Information

Course: Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)

Level: 3

Route: Sales, marketing and procurement

Apprenticeship Level: Advanced

Working Arrangements

Working Week: Monday to Thursday, 8:00am - 4:45pm. Friday, 8:00am - 3:30pm. With a 40 minute lunch break each day.

Expected Duration: 1 Year 6 Months

Training Provider: COLCHESTER INSTITUTE