Apprentice Customer Service & Operations Assistant

Nottingham College; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Nottingham College invites applicants for an apprenticeship in Customer Service within our bespoke design and manufacturing environment. You will be the first point of contact for clients, handle inquiries via phone, email and social media, and support administrative workflows including CRM data entry and purchase orders.

You will assist with production documentation, stock control, and quality-check processes, while gaining mentorship in CAD drawings and exposure to design, workshop and fitting

Qualifications

• Willingness to learn new technical and administrative skills within a bespoke manufacturing environment.
• Confident verbal communication and accurate written English; comfortable speaking with residential clients, architects, and suppliers.
• Strong attention to detail, systematic record-keeping, and discipline to follow structured processes.
• Practical working knowledge of everyday office platforms and standard communication channels.
• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the professional first point of contact for client enquiries via inbound telephone calls, email, and social media channels.
• Support core administrative workflows, including CRM data entry, supplier purchase orders, client schedule updates, and organised filing.
• Learn the operational documentation required for custom manufacturing, assisting with tracking of job sheets, material allocation, and quality-control verification.
• Assist in welcoming clients on-site and provide support during company showcases and open days.
• Collaborate with design, workshop, and fitting teams to ensure accurate messaging and realistic delivery timelines for clients.

Skills

Eagerness to Learn

Communication

Organization

Digital Literacy

Education

GCSE English & Maths (Grade 4/C+)

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Client Liaison & Communication: Serve as the professional first point of contact for client enquiries via inbound telephone calls, email, and social media channels. Maintain clear, prompt, and courteous correspondence at all times.
• Operational Administration: Support core administrative workflows, including CRM data entry, supplier purchase orders, client schedule updates, and organised filing.
• Production & Quality Control Support: Learn the operational documentation required for custom manufacturing, assisting with the tracking of job sheets, material allocation, and quality-control verification.
• Showroom & Event Representation: Assist in welcoming clients on-site and provide support during company showcases and open days.
• Interdepartmental Coordination: Collaborate closely with our design, workshop, and fitting teams to ensure accurate messaging and realistic delivery timelines for our clients.
  

Technical Development & Training Scope

In addition to completing an accredited apprenticeship qualification in Customer Service, this role offers structured exposure to the commercial design and manufacturing sector, including:

• Hands-on introduction to technical cabinetry surveying.
• Stock control, material management, and hardware ordering processes.
• Mentorship in CAD drawings as part of our surveying team.
  

Skills & Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Eagerness to Learn: A genuine enthusiasm for developing new technical and administrative capabilities within a bespoke manufacturing environment (non-negotiable).
• Communication & Professionalism: Confident, polite verbal communication and accurate written English; comfortable speaking with residential clients, architects, and suppliers.
• Organisation & Rigour: Strong attention to detail, systematic record-keeping, and the discipline to follow structured processes.
• Digital Literacy: Practical working knowledge of everyday office platforms and standard communication channels.
• Education: GCSE Grade 4/C or above in English and Mathematics (or equivalent/functional skills equivalent).

Desirable Criteria:

• Design & CAD Familiarity: Prior exposure to, or basic working knowledge of, design principles, sketch software, or 2D/3D CAD programmes is advantageous, though full training will be provided to candidates demonstrating the right aptitude and commitment.