Procurement Assistant – Modern Apprentice

NHS National Services Scotland; Carstairs; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health service in Scotland is offering a position for a Procurement Assistant as part of a Modern Apprenticeship. This role is ideal for motivated individuals aged between 16 to 24, providing them practical experience in procurement and stock management. The apprenticeship lasts 2 years, leading to a nationally recognized qualification and is designed to build a strong foundation for a career in the sector. Key responsibilities include managing deliveries, maintaining inventory, and supporting warehouse operations, all within a supportive environment.

Benefits

Full training and support

Practical experience in procurement

Completion of a nationally recognized qualification

Forklift Licence

Qualifications

• Reliable and proactive individual with strong attention to detail.
• Enjoys hands-on work and takes pride in accuracy.
• Willingness to learn and good communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Receiving, checking, and recording incoming deliveries.
• Distributing goods across the site accurately.
• Supporting warehouse operations, including stock rotation.
• Maintaining accurate stock records and assisting with stock checks.
• Managing inventory levels and highlighting discrepancies.
• Working closely with procurement and warehouse teams.

Skills

Attention to detail

Good communication skills

Proactivity

Teamwork

Job description

Procurement Assistant – Modern Apprentice

AfC Annex 21, Band 3 (pro rata) plus a High Secure Environmental Allowance of £1,750.47 per annum (pro rata)

Hours – 37*

Contract Duration – See Job Pack

The current vacancy is open to anyone aged between 16 and 24 years (or 16 to 29 years for candidates with a disability or who are care experienced*) in line with NHS State Hospital Recruitment and Anchor Strategy and in support of our workforce demographics and projections. Please do not apply if you do not meet this criteria.

About the Role

We’re looking for a motivated and organised individual to join our team as an Apprentice Procurement Assistant. This is an excellent opportunity for someone starting their career in procurement, with hands‑on experience from day one and a nationally recognised qualification on completion.

This modern apprenticeship is a 2 year programme. If successful in your application, you will be employed initially on a fixed‑term 2 year Annex 21 trainee contract. Further information can be found within the job pack.

Key Responsibilities

• Receiving, checking, and recording incoming deliveries.
• Distributing goods across the site in a timely and accurate manner.
• Supporting warehouse operations, including stock rotation and safe storage.
• Maintaining accurate stock records and assisting with regular stock checks.
• Helping to manage inventory levels and highlight shortages or discrepancies.
• Working closely with the procurement and warehouse teams to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Following all health, safety, and compliance procedures.

What You’ll Gain

• Full training and support throughout your apprenticeship.
• Practical experience across procurement, warehousing, and stock management.
• Completion of the Scottish Modern Apprenticeship in Healthcare Support at SCQF Level 6, building a strong foundation for a long‑term career in the sector.
• Forklift Licence.
• The chance to develop professional skills in a fast‑paced, supportive environment.

Who We’re Looking For

• A reliable, proactive individual with strong attention to detail.
• Someone who enjoys hands‑on work and takes pride in accuracy.
• Good communication skills and a willingness to learn.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.

*The term “care experienced” refers to anyone who has been, or is currently in care. This includes kinship care where you are living/lived with a relative who is not your parent, or looked after with the help of social work, or living/lived in Residential care, Foster care, Secure care or Adoption.

Closing Date

Your application must be submitted before 11:59pm on Sunday 18 January 2026. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 27 January 2026.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Suzanne Boyes, Senior Procurement Officer, the State Hospital. Tel: [phone] / email: [e-mail]

If you have any queries or require assistance regarding the application form or recruitment process, please contact the HR Team on [e-mail] to discuss your requirements.

Equality and Diversity Statement

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society. It should be noted that the State Hospital is a high secure hospital and the current organisational position based on a risk assessment is that we welcome applications from people under the age of 18 for non‑clinical roles however to be eligible for a clinical role applicants should be 18 years and older. Should you have any questions in relation to this please contact [e-mail].

Right to Work

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service.

As part of the pre‑employment checks for a preferred candidate, NHS Scotland Boards will check this entitlement to work in the UK. It can be evidenced through a number of routes including specific types of visa, and settled and pre‑settled status. To find out more about these routes of permission, and if you can demonstrate such cover, please refer to the GOV.UK website here.

For specific types of post, it might be possible to secure sponsorship via a UK Skilled Worker/Health & Care Worker Visa. However, this is only possible if the employer is a licensed Sponsor, and if the post does not fall below the current minimum salary threshold or ‘going rate’. Further information on these criteria can be found here.

Please note that the State Hospital is NOT licensed to issue certificates of sponsorship under current UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship to work with us. It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you have an appropriate right to work in the UK before applying.

Reduced Working Week*

Starting from 1 April 2026, the working week for NHS Agenda for Change workers in Scotland will be reduced. Full‑time hours will be reduced from 37 to 36 hours, and part‑time staff will get a pro‑rata reduction in their working hours without losing any earnings.