Procurement Apprentice

**About The Role**:
Kick-start your career in procurement with this exciting opportunity. We’re looking for a motivated Procurement and Supply Assistant to join our team, where you’ll gain hands-on experience while studying for the **Level 3 CIPS qualification.**

As a key member of the Procurement Team at Ark Central, the Procurement and Supply Assistant will undertake a range of responsibilities to support the delivery of Ark Schools’ Procurement Strategy. This is a varied and busy role, supporting Ark’s schools on the frontline of their operations.

The Procurement and Supply Assistant will report into Procurement and Contracts Officer. This role is currently operating hybrid working in our West London Office on a permanent basis working full time.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Liaise with schools to understand their procurement and supply requirements, and take action to make sure these are met
- Process new supplier requests from schools, ensuring that these administered efficiently and are compliant with Ark’s Procurement Code of Practice
- Own the Procurement Workplan, making sure that key deadlines are met, and that the Chief Operating Officer is kept updated on all key procurement activity
- Lead the team’s management of supplier risk, ensuring that key suppliers are monitored and action is taken in the event of financial difficulty or contractual underperformance
- Undertake tender exercises, acting as the single point of contact for suppliers and internal stakeholders throughout the delivery of the entire procurement project
- Analyse procurement spend, making recommendations for new network contract and approved lists
- Negotiate with existing suppliers to obtain discounts and improved terms for schools

**Key Requirements**:

- GCSE passes in English and Maths of grade 4 or above (desirable)
- Study for the Level 3 Procurement and Supply Assistant Apprenticeship qualification as part of this role
- Right to work in the UK and be eligible for an apprenticeship (have lived in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) for the last 3 years or more, or if not a UK or EEA citizen, have resided in the UK for the last 3 years)
- Strong administrative and organisational skills with meticulous attention to detail
- Ability to work methodically and multi-task
- Ability to manage workload, meet deadlines and prioritise time effectively
- Ability and willingness to learn and develop new skills
- Confident communicator who enjoys working with others
- Adept at building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- Professional attitude and ability to handle confidential and personal information with discretion
- A dedicated and supportive team player who naturally goes the extra mile to help colleagues succeed

**Benefits**:
- Our hybrid working model aims to offer the best of both worlds, striking the right balance between in-person collaboration and remote working. You will work a minimum of two days per week in our state-of-the-art office in West London allowing you to connect with colleagues, with the flexibility to work remotely, or in the office over the remaining days
- In addition to our current hybrid working arrangements, employees can request to work fully remotely for up to 10 working days a year, whether this be in the UK or abroad
- Our flexitime policy allows you to work your hours around our core hours of 10.00 - 16.00, helping you prioritise your work-life balance and personal commitments
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays
- Full office closure between Christmas and New Year
- As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to. Depending on your role you may also be entitled to LGPS which is a defined benefit scheme where you contribute a percentage based on how much you earn (as do we) in exchange for a guaranteed amount in your pension pot every year
- Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform
- Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests

**About Us**:
We’re an international charity, transforming lives through education. We exist to give every young person, regardless of their background, a great education and real choices in life. In the UK, we’re a network of 39 schools, educating around 30,000 pupils in areas where we can make the biggest difference and we’re recognised as one of the highest achieving academy groups in the country. We want to change t