Apprentice - Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Real Living Wage

Hybrid working

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is offering a Procurement & Supply Chain Apprentice role within Corporate Services. You will support contracts, procurement and compliance activities while gaining hands‑on experience in a large public sector organisation.

This apprenticeship includes completing the Level 4 CIPS Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner Apprenticeship, with mentoring and development opportunities across WMCA.

Qualifications

• Two A Levels or an equivalent Level 3 qualification.
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above, or Level 2 Functional Skills.
• Willingness to complete Level 4 CIPS apprenticeship.
• Experience working in a team environment (school, volunteering, part‑time job).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Strong written and verbal communication with good attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Support day‑to‑day management of contracts and procurement activity.
• Help identify issues and opportunities for improvement in service performance.
• Assist with procurement and contract compliance to meet policies and regulatory requirements.
• Collect and analyse information to support decision making and reporting.
• Support research and service improvement projects and maintain records.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Time management

Education

Two A Levels or Level 3 qualification

GCSE English and Maths (4/C or higher)

Level 4 CIPS Procurement & Supply Chain Practitioner Apprenticeship

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Job description

Do you want to build a career in procurement while working on projects that support the West Midlands?

As a Procurement & Supply Chain Apprentice at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), you'll get the opportunity to learn how procurement and contract management work in a large public sector organisation, while gaining practical experience you can take into your future career.

You’ll join our Procurement team within Corporate Services, working alongside colleagues across Procurement, Finance, Legal, Transport, Governance and services across WMCA.

You’ll be involved in real work from the start, supporting procurement, contract management and compliance activity. You’ll develop an understanding of how good procurement helps an organisation make responsible decisions, achieve value for money and deliver effective public services.

Alongside your role, you’ll complete a Level 4 CIPS Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner Apprenticeship, giving you the opportunity to combine professional study with practical experience in the workplace.

About the apprenticeship.

The WMCA Apprentice Development Programme forms part of our wider Emerging Talent offer and supports our People and Culture Strategy by helping us build the skills, capability and future workforce we need across the organisation.

You’ll be supported throughout your apprenticeship by experienced colleagues, with access to professional development, mentoring and opportunities to learn from people working across WMCA.

As you gain experience, you’ll develop greater confidence and independence while building skills in communication, analysis, problem‑solving, organisation and stakeholder management.

You’ll also have opportunities to take part in internal development programmes, networking and mentoring alongside your apprenticeship.

What you’ll be doing.

You’ll work with colleagues in our Procurement and Contract & Compliance teams to support the day‑to‑day management of contracts and procurement activity.

This could include:

• Supporting the management of contracts and service performance, helping to identify issues and opportunities for improvement.
• Assisting with procurement and contract compliance activity, ensuring services meet organisational policies, standards and regulatory requirements.
• Collecting and analysing information to support decision‑making and performance reporting.
• Supporting research and service improvement projects.
• Helping to maintain accurate contract records, databases and documentation.
• Responding to routine enquiries from colleagues and stakeholders.
• Using digital tools and systems to manage information, tasks and workflows.
• Learning from experienced procurement professionals through shadowing, training and hands‑on experience.
• Developing your understanding of budgeting, financial governance, procurement regulations and value for money.

You’ll also have dedicated time to complete your apprenticeship coursework and assessments, putting what you learn into practice in your role.

What's essential.

• A minimum of two A Levels, or an equivalent Level 3 qualification.
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above, or equivalent Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications.
• A willingness to complete the Level 4 CIPS Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner Apprenticeship.
• Experience working in a team environment, for example through school, volunteering or a part‑time job.
• Experience using Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Good analytical skills, with the ability to review information and identify solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage your time effectively.
• A willingness to learn, take initiative and develop new skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with others.
• The ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, combining remote and office‑based working.

Location and Apprenticeship Commitment.

This role is based at 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD. We currently operate a hybrid working model, which means splitting your time between the office and home, subject to business need and agreement with your line manager.

As this is an apprenticeship, you’ll have dedicated time during your working week to complete your learning and coursework alongside gaining practical experience within the team.

Real Living Wage

We are committed to paying our apprentices the Real Living Wage as opposed to the Minimum Apprenticeship Wage.

Why join WMCA?

WMCA is focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it’s needed most. What you do really matters; your work will contribute to improving people’s lives across the region.

Our Values and Behaviours

Fostering an environment where people feel valued, included, supported and proud to contribute to our region is important to us at WMCA. Our behaviours are more than statements; they guide how we work, make decisions and treat one another. They set the standards we hold ourselves to and the experience we want others to have.

• Collaborative - We work as one organisation, building trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and customers to create the biggest impact for our region.
• Driven - Focused on impact, leading with clarity, care and courage to deliver meaningful results for the West Midlands.
• Inclusive - Every voice matters. We create belonging, fairness and psychological safety so everyone can thrive.
• Innovative - We think future and act smarter, embracing curiosity, creativity and continuous improvement to shape the future.

Creating an Inclusive Workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, including the RACE Code Quality Mark and Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status), and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with 'Leader' status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks. This helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supports fair opportunities for all.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply.

We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don’t fit the traditional “perfect candidate” mould.

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant visa from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).