Procurement Apprentice - University of Cambridge

Futures Job Shop 002; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

An esteemed academic institution in Cambridge is looking for a Procurement Apprentice to support purchasing activities and complete a Level 3 Apprenticeship. The ideal candidate will have GCSE Maths and English, along with logical and customer care skills. The role is mostly on-site with potential for some remote work and aims to open paths to future procurement roles post-apprenticeship.

Qualifications

• Completion of the Level 3 Procurement Apprenticeship qualification is required.
• A condition of appointment is acquiring hands-on experience.

Responsibilities

• Support purchasing activities and review purchase requisitions.
• Onboard new suppliers for the wider team.
• Manage team emails and create folders.
• Expedite orders by tracking deliveries.
• Educate the team on financial regulations.
• Provide first line response to purchasing queries.

Skills

Logical

Customer care skills

Education

GCSE Maths and English at grades 4 or above

Job description

Procurement Apprentice - University of Cambridge

About

The University of Cambridge is one of the world’s oldest and most successful universities. They are a renowned centre for research, education, and scholarship that makes a significant contribution to society. The University is consistently ranked amongst the top universities in the world. Their affiliates have won more Nobel Prizes than any other University.

The University of Cambridge is consistently ranked one of the best universities in the world, achieving academic excellence through its Faculties, Departments and other Institutions, together with the 31 Colleges. It is also one of the greatest institutions, with a regional, national and global reach, attracting the very best and brightest minds.

A condition of appointment is the completion of the Level 3 Procurement Apprenticeship qualification using the skills and knowledge built whilst undertaking various projects and assignments. The majority of the apprenticeship will be spent in the workplace and you will learn on the job by getting hands‑on experience. The apprenticeship also includes time away from the workplace for specialist training. You will study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support a wide range of purchasing activities such as reviewing and approving purchase requisitions with “low value/risk contracts”, purchase order amendments and cancellations.
• Onboard new suppliers on behalf of the wider team.
• Email management within the team by creating and managing folders by supplier, topic, colour code for priority or follow-up, archiving old emails, using templates or standard responses for related questions.
• Order expediting by tracking deliveries, responding to internal queries about order status and resolving any delays or changes in order status.
• Understanding of the University Financial regulations with reference to purchasing, internal policies and procedures, to educate the wider team and adopt commercial best practice.
• Collate relevant information and accurate statistical data as required for reporting.
• Provide first line response to purchasing‑related queries and support contract and supplier management activity across a range of commercial areas.
• Build excellent working relationships with peers, colleagues and suppliers.
• Assist with the annual stock take process within the Stores.

Entry requirements

GCSE Maths and English at grades 4 or above required.

Skills required

• Logical
• Customer care skills

Training to be provided

The learner will be studying theProcurement and Supply Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard qualification.
Day Release to West Suffolk College.

Things to consider

The role will be based on site for the majority of the time initially, but some working from home time can be built in eventually depending on progress.

After this apprenticeship you would be well placed to apply for entry level Procurement posts, particularly within the University and other academic/ research environments. There is no guarantee of a position at the end of the apprenticeship as it would depend on vacancies/ business need.

Closing Date

The closing date for this job offer is on 10/12/2025