Apprenticeship training course

Commercial procurement and supply (formerly Public sector commercial professional) (level 4)

Buying the goods and services that enable an organisation to operate.

• Qualification level: 4 ; Equivalent to higher national certificate (HNC).
• Typical duration: 24 months
• Apprenticeship category: Sales, marketing and procurement
• Maximum funding: £9,000 ; Maximum amount government will fund ; for apprenticeship training.
• Also known as:
  • assistant buyer
  • Buyer
  • Commercial analyst
  • Commercial relationship support
  • Commercial support
  • Commissioning and Performance monitoring officer
  • Contract associate
  • Contract support
  • Framework management support
  • Procurement operations support
  • Sourcing executive
• Skills:
  Skills an apprentice will learn

  • Identify approaches to achieve agreements with external and internal organisations and stakeholders including developing the communication skills that can influence positive negotiated outcomes.
  • Use a range of contract and supplier performance monitoring, management and reporting techniques to ensure that cost, service, quality and sustainability objectives are being achieved and maintained.
  • To be able to carry out cost management, including the cost base, and variances from budget.
  • Use appropriate software, spreadsheet, word processing and presentation packages plus specialist programmes and systems associated with the organisation to convey information.
  • Clearly and concisely raise items for discussion and negotiation in order to resolve an issue that may be with customers, suppliers or colleagues.
  • Recognise the impact that decision-making has on costs and identify opportunities to save money or deliver services in the most effective or efficient way.
  • Evaluate costs by comparison with industry standards or high performers (benchmarking).
  • Confidently display supplier/customer relationship management skills with a range of stakeholders, keeping key stakeholders and customers appropriately informed.
  • Take responsibility for activities such as change control, managing contractual obligations, risk management and measurement and delivering to the required performance standard.
  • Use selection and award criteria commonly applied when sourcing requirements from external suppliers and evidence how supplier bids are evaluated against these criteria.
  • Use the different types of documentation and terminology that frequently form part of the commercial procurement process for the supply of goods and services.
  • Liaise, negotiate and undertake proactive actions with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of purchased goods and services, taking appropriate actions to address any shortfalls or excess.

Full information on Commercial procurement and supply (formerly Public sector commercial professional) (level 4) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

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