Trainee Procurement Officer – Isle of Wight Council
Location: Newport, Isle of Wight
Salary: £30,364 – £32,629.60 per year
Contract: Fixed term – apprenticeship duration, with potential opportunity to become permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week
Working Pattern: Office-based with some agile/remote working
Employer: Isle of Wight Council
Job Category: Procurement
Apprenticeship: Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner Level 4
Visa Sponsorship: Not available
Closing Date: Expires in less than 3 weeks
About the Role
Isle of Wight Council is recruiting a Trainee Procurement Officer to join its Procurement Team within the Council’s legal service in Newport.
This is a training opportunity for someone looking to build a career in public procurement and commercial supply. The successful candidate will support the Council with procurement projects while completing a Level 4 apprenticeship in Procurement and Supply Chain.
The Procurement Team plays an important role in ensuring that the Council complies with procurement legislation, achieves efficiencies and secures best value when spending public money on services, goods and works.
The role provides exposure to a range of procurement activity across different Council services, including Housing, Construction, IT, Social Care, Public Health, Corporate, Community and Finance.
Key Responsibilities
The Trainee Procurement Officer will:
- Support Council colleagues throughout the procurement process.
- Assist with procurement projects from start to finish.
- Help ensure procurement activities comply with the relevant legal and regulatory framework.
- Contribute to achieving savings, efficiencies and best value.
- Support the procurement of services, goods and works.
- Work with colleagues across different Council service areas.
- Develop practical knowledge and experience of public procurement.
- Apply learning from the apprenticeship programme to day-to-day procurement activities.
- Work effectively within a busy and supportive procurement team.
Requirements / Person Specification
Previous experience in public procurement is desirable, but the Council is primarily looking for someone with the potential to develop within the profession.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Good organisational skills.
- The ability to understand and learn quickly.
- The ability to work on their own initiative.
- An interest in developing a career in procurement.
- The ability to follow the legal framework governing public procurement.
- A willingness to undertake and successfully complete the required apprenticeship qualification.
- The ability to work effectively with colleagues and manage responsibilities within a busy team.
Apprenticeship and Training
The successful candidate will undertake a Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner Level 4 advanced apprenticeship.
The qualification typically takes around two years to complete.
This makes the position suitable for someone seeking structured training and practical experience while developing a career in public-sector procurement.
Salary & Benefits
The advertised salary is £30,364 – £32,629.60 per year.
During the apprenticeship, the post holder will receive 80% of the Procurement Officer Grade 10 salary.
Following successful completion of the qualification, the employee will progress to the full salary.
The position also offers:
- Full-time employment.
- Flexible/agile working arrangements.
- Practical procurement experience.
- Supported professional development.
- Potential opportunity to become permanent after successful completion of the course.
Working Pattern
The role is 37 hours per week and is primarily office-based.
The Council also offers some agile or remote working as part of its flexible working arrangements.
Visa / Right-to-Work
Important for international applicants: Isle of Wight Council states that it does not currently hold a licence to sponsor overseas workers.
Therefore, this vacancy should not be considered a sponsored job opportunity for applicants who require the employer to sponsor a UK work visa.
Applicants should ensure they already have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying.
Application / Selection Process
Applications must be submitted online through the vacancy’s official application link.
The Council does not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.
Applicants should provide all required information through the online application and ensure that their application demonstrates their organisational skills, ability to learn and interest in public procurement.
The Council reserves the right to close the vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if required, so applicants are advised to apply promptly.
Deadline
The vacancy is currently listed as expiring in less than three weeks.
Because the Council may close the vacancy early, applicants should submit their completed application as soon as possible.
FAQs
Is visa sponsorship available for this Trainee Procurement Officer role?
No. The Isle of Wight Council states that it does not currently have a licence to sponsor overseas workers.
Where is the job based?
The role is based in Newport, Isle of Wight.
Is the position full-time?
Yes. The position is full-time, 37 hours per week.
Is the contract permanent?
The role is initially fixed term for the duration of the apprenticeship programme, with an opportunity to become permanent after successful completion of the course.
What apprenticeship qualification is included?
The successful candidate will complete a Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner Level 4 apprenticeship, which typically takes around two years.
Is previous procurement experience required?
Previous relevant public procurement experience is desirable, but the Council is primarily seeking someone with strong organisational skills, the ability to learn quickly and the potential to develop in public procurement.
Can applicants work remotely?
The position is primarily office-based, but the Council states that some agile or remote working is available.
How much does the Trainee Procurement Officer role pay?
The advertised salary is £30,364 – £32,629.60 per year. During the apprenticeship, the successful candidate receives 80% of the Grade 10 Procurement Officer salary and progresses to the full salary after successfully completing the qualification.
How do I apply?
Applications must be completed online using the official vacancy application link. The Council states that CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form will not be accepted.