Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX - Hybrid working
• Salary: £24,796 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Fixed term or secondment for up to 21 months (Apprenticeship)

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, at Suffolk County Council we're driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That's why, when you join us as an Apprentice Procurement Support Assistant, you'll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career.

Reimagine the possibilities.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic apprentice who is motivated, keen to do a good job, and an effective team player providing Procurement and Helpdesk support to the council.

Your role and responsibilities

Join our Procurement team and play a key role at the heart of our Procurement Helpdesk. You'll be providing day-to-day support on the Helpdesk supporting colleagues. Assisting in delivering a broad range of procurement administrative tasks that contribute to the smooth and efficient running of the service. A key part of the role is ensuring consistent Helpdesk cover during normal working hours and responding to customer enquiries related to Oracle (P2P), Suffolk Sourcing, and the use of Procurement cards. You will also assist in providing essential administration services to the wider Procurement team and play an important part in financial year end procurement activities.

We will provide you with training and ongoing support to achieve this.

Your apprenticeship

• Business Administrator Apprenticeship - Level 3. Please see information at the link: Business administrator / Skills England
• Duration up to 21 months

We welcome apprenticeship applications from all ages and backgrounds. There's no upper age limit - it's never too late to start developing new skills. We want to provide opportunities for anyone interested in launching or advancing their career.

The apprenticeship you're applying for must build on your qualifications. If you have experience in this field, the apprenticeship you're applying for must be at a higher level.

Read the Job and Person Profile(Word)and the Apprenticeship Recruitment Brochure. During the apprenticeship, you'll be working towards the role described in the Job and Person Profile. You will have the opportunity to receive hands-on training and pursue certification. Completing your apprenticeship does not guarantee a full-time position. However, we are dedicated to helping you find a job. You will have priority access when you apply for vacancies. This applies during the final 3 months of your contract.

You will need

• Good IT skills.
• Experience of problem-solving and good attention to detail.
• The ability to work flexibly as part of a team and independently.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Have a good understanding of how to deliver good customer service.

The team

You will report to the Procurement Support Manager and sit within the Procurement Team, which provides a professional procurement support service to the Council.

We play a key role in the strategic management of the Council's wholly owned companies, delivering commercial challenge ensuring all service provisions are cost effective and efficient, and providing the best return for the Council and the people of Suffolk.

The team supports Directorates with their own tenders and quotations for low-risk procurement, with support from a procurement helpdesk including the use of on-line templates, procurement systems as well as training and development opportunities.

Our office days are usually Tuesday and Thursday. Additionally, we practice hybrid working. However, we would provide face to face training where required.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Nic Brown (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 264479 or emailing nic.brown@suffolk.gov.uk.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).

Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 -Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use theSupporting Statement template.

1. Tell us what skills you have learned whilst at school/college, volunteering and/or working that you think will be useful to you in this role and why?
2. Tell us about something you are proud of and why?
3. Tell us about a time you've been really determined to do something, what did you do? What happened as a result?
4. Why are you interested in working for our organisation?

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process. You can also read our Using AI in Your Application and Interview guidance to understand acceptable and unacceptable use of AI. If AI is used inappropriately, your application may not be progressed.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you're invited to the next stage, you'll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 8 April 2026.

Interview date: 15, 16 and 17 April 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

About Us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).