Commercial Apprentice

Wilson James; Bedford; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 5.6 weeks

Mortgage advice

Life assurance

Mental health support

Online GP

Cycle to work

Employee discounts

Job summary

Wilson James is seeking a Commercial Apprentice to join the senior project leadership team on a flagship construction scheme in Bedford. The role provides commercial and admin support to the Commercial Manager, handling procurement, documentation, invoicing, and handover to operations while driving cost-saving and value engineering.

Based on site full time, you will assist with supplier quotations, purchase orders, and maintaining robust commercial records, building strong supply chain

Qualifications

• Excellent organisational and administration skills.
• Commercial awareness and procurement understanding.
• Ability to analyse quotations and commercial information.
• Excel and spreadsheet management skills.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate commercial records, databases, and filing systems.
• Ensure all commercial documentation is issued, received, logged, tracked, and archived.
• Prepare and issue RFQ and RFP responses.
• Raise purchase orders with site administration.
• Build and maintain relationships with the supply chain.
• Investigate invoice discrepancies and resolve issues with suppliers/subcontractors.
• Assist in identifying cost-saving opportunities across labour, plant, materials and logistics.

Skills

Excellent organisational and admin

Commercial awareness

Procurement processes

Analyse supplier quotations

Excel / spreadsheets

Communication / stakeholder mgmt

Attention to detail

Problem-solving / analytical

Tools

Excel

Spreadsheet management

Job description

Commercial Apprenticee

Permanent
Location: Bedford
Hours: Full time,
Pay: £20.00 per hour

Due to continued growth and the mobilisation of a major flagship construction scheme, we are seeking an experienced and dynamic Commercial Apprentice to join our senior project leadership team.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the health, safety, environmental, sustainability, and social value strategy on a high-profile construction development.

About the Role

To provide commercial and administrative support to the Commercial Manager in the delivery of
construction logistics services on a major construction project. The Commercial Co-ordinator will assist
in managing procurement activities, maintaining commercial documentation, supporting subcontractor
engagement, processing invoices, and ensuring the smooth handover of awarded works to operational
teams while contributing to cost-saving and value engineering initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date commercial records, databases, and filing systems.
• Ensure all commercial documentation is issued, received, logged, tracked, and archived in
  accordance with company procedures.
• Prepare and issue Requests for Quotation and Requests for Pricing.
• Liaise with the site administration team to raise purchase orders.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with the supply chain.
• Identify and investigate invoice discrepancies and resolve issues with suppliers and
  subcontractors.
• Assist in identifying cost-saving opportunities across labour, plant, materials, and logistics
  operations.

Why Join Us

• Annual leave entitlement of 5.6 weeks
• Lifestyle Benefits – Mortgage and financial advice, vouchers for various shopping outlets and food stores, employee referral scheme.
• Learning & Development – we actively encourage progression and offer various eLearning courses, progression, training whilst on site, apprenticeships, and in-house training courses.
• Health and Wellbeing – Life assurance scheme, access to mental health support specialists
• Access to an Online GP for you and your dependents.
• Financial support
• Discounts on hundreds of retail sites
• Progression opportunities – many of our team go on to senior and site management roles
• A welcoming, respectful team culture
• Cycle to Work scheme

What we are looking for

Essential Skills & Experience

• Excellent organisational and administration skills.
• Commercial awareness.
• Good understanding of procurement processes.
• Ability to analyse supplier quotations and commercial information.
• Excel and spreadsheet management skills.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills.

Please be aware that, on occasion, we may close a vacancy earlier than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of strong applications

Wilson James is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. A criminal conviction will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position, however each case will be assessed on an individual basis. For information about Wilson James' commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, https://wilsonjames.co.uk/sustainability

Wilson James have been raising standards in security, construction logistics, aviation services, and technology for over 30 years. With 5,000 employees and a presence across over 300 client sites all over the UK, we are dedicated to delivering tailored solutions and top-tier customer service. As a leading managed service provider, we prioritise safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Joining Wilson James offers the excitement of working with diverse, vibrant clients, making for a dynamic and engaging workplace.

Internal Applicants

At Wilson James, we support career growth and offer internal mobility to help employees explore new roles and advance within the company. Committed to promoting from within, we provide clear career pathways and continuous skill development. Unlock your potential by applying for exciting internal opportunities and new challenge. If you are currently employed under TUPE terms and conditions, please note that successful appointment to this role will be on Wilson James standard terms and conditions.