Procurement Apprentice

Salary details: £ - £

Kick-start your career in Procurement – earn while you learn with South Derbyshire District Council! 

We are offering an exciting opportunity to join our Procurement Team as a Procurement Apprentice.

This role is ideal for someone who is motivated, detail-oriented, and interested in building a career in public sector procurement. You will study towards the a Level 4 Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) while gaining practical experience in a busy, supportive team. 

Working alongside our Procurement Lead and other colleagues, you will help ensure that the Council secures best value for money, supports local businesses, and complies with public procurement regulations. You will be directly involved in live procurement projects, supporting tendering processes, supplier engagement, and contract management activities. 

What you’ll be doing:

• Provide general day-to-day support to the Procurement Lead in managing procurement activities and projects.
• Assist with the delivery of tenders and procurement exercises, from drafting documents to supporting evaluation and award.
• Help maintain and update the Council’s contract register and procurement pipeline, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records.
• Liaise with colleagues across all Council services, providing advice and support on procurement processes
• Build positive relationships with internal teams, suppliers and other stakeholders to promote strong collaboration.
• Carry out market research to identify potential suppliers, understand market trends and explore innovative solutions.
• Ensure all procurement activity complies with legislation, Council policies and best practice guidance.
• Contribute to improving procurement processes, systems and documentation to make our work as efficient and effective as possible. 

What we’re looking for:

You do not need prior procurement experience – what matters is your willingness to develop your skills and contribute to the team. We want someone who is:

• Organised and able to meet deadlines.
• Comfortable talking to a range of people in person, online, and by phone.
• Good at producing clear, accurate written work.
• Ready to learn, take on feedback, and develop new skills.
• Interested in how local government works and how we can deliver value to our communities. 

We welcome applications from:

• School and college leavers looking for their first professional role
• University graduates wanting to gain practical experience
• Career changers interested in building a future in public sector procurement 

If you’re looking for a role that combines real responsibility with professional training, we’d love to hear from you. 

What we offer:

Working at SDDC means joining a team that cares about making a difference. You will:

• Earn a competitive salary while gaining a professional qualification
• Work on projects that improve services and facilities for local people
• Be part of a welcoming, collaborative workplace
• Have opportunities for progression within the Council and beyond 

You will also get:

• Fully funded Level 4 CIPS qualification
• A supportive working environment with mentoring from experienced professionals
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising with service)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee wellbeing initiatives 

About us:

South Derbyshire District Council is ambitious, forward-looking, and proud of our role in shaping the district’s future. Our Procurement Team is at the heart of delivering that vision, working closely with all council services and external partners to deliver projects that make a tangible difference to our communities. 

With the introduction of the Procurement Act 2023, we are entering an exciting new era for public procurement – one that offers greater flexibility, innovation, and opportunities to deliver even better value for residents. Alongside this, we are developing a new Procurement Strategy that will position procurement as a key strategic lever in achieving the ambitions of our Council Plan, from driving local economic growth to supporting sustainability and social value outcomes. 

Joining us now means playing an active role in shaping how procurement supports our priorities and contributes to the long-term prosperity of South Derbyshire. 

We are looking for applicants committed to equal opportunities, diversity and good customer care to ensure our customers receive an excellent service.

Provisional Interview Date:  23 October 2025

Please be aware that Derbyshire County Council is placing this advert on behalf of this organisation and you should refer directly to its website for details of the terms and conditions attached to this post. Any queries regarding this advert or the recruitment process should be made directly to the organisation.