Procurement Contracting Apprentice

Job Information

Procurement Contracting Apprentice 

Are you ready to kick-start your career in procurement? Join our dynamic Corporate Commissioning and Procurement Service as an Procurement Contracting Apprentice! This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience, learn from seasoned professionals, and contribute to making a real difference in the community. 

What You’ll Do:  

• Assist with sourcing goods and services that deliver value for money. 
• Support supplier relationships and provide excellent customer service. 
• Learn to ensure compliance with procurement policies and regulations. 
• Collaborate with various teams to understand their procurement needs.  

What We’re Looking For: 

• A keen interest in procurement and local government.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Eagerness to learn and grow in a supportive environment.
• Basic IT proficiency and a positive, can-do attitude.

Why Join Us? Gain a recognised qualification while you work.

• Be part of a supportive team passionate about delivering excellent services.
• Enjoy a clear pathway for career development within the Council.
• Access to a range of benefits including hybrid working

Please note: Successful applicants must be available for interview week commencing 14th July. These posts will commence in September 2025. 

This apprenticeship will last for a duration of 24 months. The training is delivered by Northumberland Skills and you will be required to attend training at Morpeth Leisure Centre, NE61 1SR. 

What the candidate will be doing on a day-to-day basis 

You will support the eProcurement and External Partner Manager with a range of tasks that support strategic sourcing and delivery. Carrying out a range of tasks to support the Service with the acquisition of a wide range of lower value/lower risk goods, services and works via tendering and contracting.  

You will be supporting the preparation of documents, attend meetings with internal customers and external organisations such as strategic partners and suppliers, assist with the upkeep of e-tendering systems and handle confidential documents and spreadsheets.  

Background on department 

The Corporate Commissioning and Procurement Service is responsible for ensuring that all Council expenditure on goods and services achieves value for money for the County and our residents. The Service is currently implementing a number of important strategic change initiatives that will be fundamental to the successful delivery of BEST commissioning and procurement across the Council and with wider stakeholders and voluntary organisations. 

Type of person we are looking for 

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who is eager to learn and expand their knowledge and skills through hands-on experience.  

Likes to work as part of a team, on a variety of tasks with short deadlines. To be able to work on their own where relevant. 

Location 

Hybrid role. One day in County Hall per week 

Salary 

National Apprenticeship Framework  

Contract Type 

Fixed Term for duration of apprenticeship training, plus 6 months for End Point Assessment. 

REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB 

•  Maths and English GCSE (or Equivalent) at Grade 4/C or above 
• Familiar with IT systems, eg. Word, Excel, PowerPoint. 

Why choose us?  

We have some outstanding benefits to offer you, including:  

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees) 
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Local government discount schemes available to all employees with offers at local businesses along with various national brands
• Commitment to work/life balance offering flexibility through various schemes including job sharing, flexible working, term-time only, and compressed hours
• A range of salary sacrifice schemes are available 
• Staff networks - run by staff, for staff, providing opportunities for peer networking, mutual support, staff development e.g. Apprenticeship, Armed Forces, ASD, Enable (disability), LGBT+, Menopause, Mental Wellbeing, Racial Equality

Further information

For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes here.  

 
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you wish to notify us of your eligibility for this scheme, please email hrrecruitment@northumberland.gov.uk or ring 01670 623930 with your name and the job title you have applied for and one of the recruitment team will ensure this is factored into the shortlisting process and kept anonymous. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.  

Alternative application format:  

British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net  

For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930  

Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.