Trainee Buyer

Role Responsibility

This opportunity offers an exciting way to start your career in procurement in the public sector. It is ideal for a candidate who is up for the challenge of working with organisations to deliver the Council’s needs through contracts that represent value for money.

The Procurement and Commercial Team is responsible for providing expert support, advice and resource for buying goods, services and works that will allow the Council’s operational teams to achieve their objectives. You will work as part of a team that carries out a wide range of exciting and unique projects that are crucial to the daily operations of the Council.

With our support, you will learn the legislation that underpins procurement and understand how to apply these in practice. You will learn about the vast services that the Council delivers and the broad range of suppliers who we work with to deliver them successfully.

Initially, you will learn the basic responsibilities of a Buyer. As you develop through the programme there may be the opportunity to provide support to a range of projects in different areas.

The role is ideal for a candidate with an interest in business and commercial activity. At the end of the two years Trainees will have a good grounding of procurement knowledge and, business and commercial acumen through working with commercial officers and specialists with vast experience.

Length of Programme

2 Years with a permanent role provided at the end

Salary

You will receive a starting salary of £20,595 which will increase as you progress.

Location

We are currently operating hybrid working giving the flexibility for individuals to work from home or in one of our reconfigured office buildings. We will support you to work in a hybrid way, with the necessary induction, management, and equipment.

You will be expected to work in our Maidstone office at least one day a week in order to build strong relationships within the Procurement and Commercial Team and take advantage of collaborative learning and working.

Training and Development

The job will provide you with invaluable on-the-job experience of working within the public sector and offers extensive training and development opportunities you won’t find elsewhere.

There may be the opportunity for trainees to complete a Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Apprenticeship when they have developed a good baseline understanding of procurement.

We will commit to your continuing professional development and will support you in your training and as you develop your procurement and commercial skills and knowledge.

Contact Details

For further information regarding this role, please contact:

Jessica Brittle - 03000 417638

About the Company

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds and faiths, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.