Higher Level Procurement and Supply Chain Apprenticeship

Babcock International; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company in Plymouth is offering a 2.5-year Higher Level Procurement and Supply Chain Apprenticeship. This program equips apprentices with essential skills in procurement, rotating through key departments while working on real projects. Graduates will be prepared for roles such as Buyer or Procurement Specialist, benefiting from mentoring and on-the-job training in a dynamic environment. Educational milestones include a Level 4 Diploma from CIPS. Competitive benefits such as holidays, pension, and development opportunities are included.

Benefits

Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays.

Competitive pension scheme.

Employee share scheme.

Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above, including Maths and English.
• 3 A-Levels grades A-C.
• Ability to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through supply chain planning, requisition to pay, source to contract, and warehousing departments.
• Conduct market research and analysis.
• Manage tendering processes and place purchase orders.

Job description

About the Programme

Join our 2.5‑year Higher Level Procurement and Supply Chain Apprenticeship and gain the essential skills, knowledge, and experience for an exciting future career in procurement and supply chain management.

Whether designing, building, operating, managing, or maintaining vital equipment, one thing is certain - procurement and supply chain management lies at the heart of our operations and plays a pivotal role in our business success.

From day one we will assign you a mentor who understands your business area and can guide you through your development programme. With support from your line manager and our Emerging Talent team, you'll get opportunities to work on interesting projects, meet key stakeholders, and deliver outputs that make a real difference.

Placements

Rotating through our supply chain planning, requisition to pay, source to contract, and warehousing and transport departments, you'll develop a broad range of skills in:

• Strategic sourcing and procurement
• Supplier relationship management
• Inventory and warehouse management
• Transportation logistics
• Contract development, management, and monitoring
• Financial tracking and reporting

On each placement, you'll interact with multiple teams and develop an understanding of how the Procurement and Supply Chain function operates at Babcock. Your days will vary across placements, involving a diverse range of tasks and responsibilities - from conducting market research and analysis, managing tendering processes, placing purchase orders and contracts with suppliers, to overseeing supplier order books and negotiating terms and conditions.

Everything you do will help the business and our customers deliver essential products and services around the world. This is an amazing opportunity to work on real projects to equip the Royal Naval fleet and play an integral role in creating a safe and secure world. With mentoring and on-the-job training, the vast knowledge you'll build from these experiences will equip you with some of the most in-demand skills right now.

Your Education / Training

You will study towards obtaining a Level 4 Diploma in Procurement & Supply from the prestigious Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). This comprehensive programme will equip you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to excel in the field of procurement and supply chain management.

Future Prospects

After successfully completing the programme, you'll be well-equipped to pursue a range of roles in the field. These may include positions such as Buyer, Procurement Specialist, Procurement Advisor, Material and Inventory Planner, or Supply Chain Analyst. Through the Babcock Role Framework, you'll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped‑out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above, including Maths and English.
• 3 A‑Levels grades A‑C.
• Many of our apprenticeship programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Benefits & Personal Development

• Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays.
• Competitive pension scheme.
• Employee share scheme.
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal.

You'll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.

Your Career Development

It's hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you'll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career. Plus, when you join us, you'll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face‑to‑face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.