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Job summary

Main area
Procurement
Grade
Apprenticeship
Contract
Fixed term: 15 months (FTC (15 months))
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
318-26-T0476
Employer
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Victoria Warehouse
Town
Gloucester
Salary
£15,600 (pa pro rata if part-time)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
02/08/2026 23:59
Interview date
17/08/2026

Employer heading

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Apprentice Customer Service Practitioner – Procurement

Apprenticeship

At Gloucestershire Hospitals, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the county’s largest employer, we are proud to provide high-quality acute, elective, and specialist services to more than 650,000 people across our county. Our care is delivered across Gloucestershire Royal, Cheltenham General and Stroud Maternity Hospital.

With over 9,000 employees representing more than 95 nationalities, bringing together a mix of cultures and experiences to the care that we deliver. Whether you’re beginning your NHS journey or looking to take the next step in your career, this is an exciting time to join us. We’re investing heavily in innovation, research, and transformation, with more than 100 active clinical studies and major developments underway across our hospitals.

We take pride in working as one team, driven by a shared ambition to grow, develop, and continually improve. Every contribution is valued and by combining our collective strengths, we support not only our diverse communities but one another. You can expect a warm, supportive culture and colleagues who are passionate about teamwork, professional development and delivering exceptional care. We offer structured development programmes, mentoring and leadership opportunities to help you progress in your career.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from a comprehensive package that includes flexible working opportunities, generous annual leave, the NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, local discounts, access to on-site nurseries, reduced public transport costs, reward and recognition schemes and a wide range of health and wellbeing initiatives.

Be part of Gloucestershire Hospitals, explore your future with us today.

Job overview

Would you like to start your exciting career with the NHS, learning new skills and how to manage order enquiries, process Purchase Orders and price check products on behalf of Gloucestershire NHS? Why not apply for our fantastic opportunity which enables you to gain experience whilst achieving a nationally recognised apprenticeship qualification? 

Job Title: Apprentice Customer Service Practitioner - Procurement 

Division: Corporate

Department: Gloucestershire Procurement Shared Service

Responsible and accountable to: Purchasing Team Manager

Terms of contract: GHNHSFT Apprenticeship Terms and Conditions,

Fixed Term (15 months)

Location: Victoria Warehouse, The Docks, Gloucester

Hours 37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday

The proposed interview date is: 17th August 

Main duties of the job

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a well organised and committed individual to be an Apprentice Customer Service Practitioner within Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The apprentice will complete a Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner apprenticeship with Adult Education in Gloucestershire whilst gaining valuable customer service, administration and purchasing experience in the Procurement Department providing services to local healthcare organisations.

This apprenticeship vacancy would be suitable for a school leaver or someone who would like a change in career who has an interest in customer service in the specialist area of procurement, purchasing of goods and services.

The apprentice will be managed by the Procurement Transformation Systems & Process Manager and be supported to carry out activities including:

- The ordering of Goods, Services and Works

- Processing enquiries received from Customers and Suppliers

- Obtaining prices and quotation

- Processing of orders compliant with the Trusts’ Standing Financial Instructions, Procurement Policy and current legislation

- Supporting low value tender exercises

Working for our organisation

We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.
 

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one of our innovative hospitals. As well as generous annual leave allowance, access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Dimensions:

The annual non-pay expenditure of the Trusts in the health community over which the Procurement Shared Services (PSS) has influence is approximately £70m. PSS provides procurement services to the following Customers:

- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

- Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust

- Gloucestershire Managed Services

Key result areas:

- To attend all mandatory components of the Apprenticeship 

- To undertake training as required and agreed with the mentor, supervisor and external assessor and complete the competencies relevant to the work area/department.  

- Ability to get on well with people at all levels, communicate and work effectively as a team member

- Accept designated workload from supervisor

- Deliver a high standard of customer service dealing with visitors and telephone enquiries

- Communicate effectively with internal and external networks

- Work collaboratively with all Procurement Team members ensuring that all  activities are carried out and completed to the required standard  

- To be flexible, with the ability to alter activities and priorities as the need arises

- Learn skills and gain knowledge to prioritise work, taking into account workload and urgency

- Share appropriate work related information within remit

- Following training and gaining competence and confidence work independently, referring to supervisor when necessary.

- Process enquiries, requisitions and create official purchase orders for all Customers in a timely and accurate manner and in compliance with the Trusts’ Standing Financial Instructions, Procurement Policy and current legislation

- Take responsibility for ordering Goods, Services and Works and provide advice on the ordering process and assist Customers with queries

- Implement standard operating procedures

- Identify system errors/faults and report these as appropriate.

- Support low value tender exercises, obtain prices and quotations and liaise with customers and suppliers with regard to costs, product information as required 

- Accurately and efficiently file requisitions, contracts and maintain central filing systems

- Have responsibility for personal development and complete the Intermediate (L2) Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship within the time frame

- Undertake any customer service or administrative and other appropriate duties, commensurate with the role as required at the request of your supervisor

The above list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be fully comprehensive and may be amended to take account of changing circumstances or requirements following consultation with the post holder.

Communications and Working Relationships:

- Budget holders

- Clinical Staff 

- Suppliers

- Senior Procurement Staff within other NHS Trusts/Special Health Authorities

- Shared Finance staff 

- External Organisations and Agencies 

Most Challenging part of the job:

- Process orders promptly and accurately to ensure the timing of medical/surgical procedures is not compromised by delays in the supply chain or ordering process. 

- Take ownership of problems and deal effectively with difficult and challenging Customers to deliver a professional and Customer focussed procurement service. 

- Demonstrate a pro-active and flexible approach to challenges, supporting and demonstrating the one-team ethos across the department.

Please see the full job description and person specification by accessing the documents under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading.

 

Contact Details

Ashley Stanford (Purchasing Team Manager)

[email protected]

0300 422 2666

If Ashley is not around please speak with Michelle Fishley on the same number

 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Appropriate verbal and written communication
Desirable criteria
  • GCSE Level or equivalent Grade D(3) English, or equivalent (e.g. Functional Skills Level 1 Literacy) and Mathematics GCSE Grade D(3) or equivalent (e.g. Functional Skills Level 1 Numeracy)

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Intermediate IT skills and the ability to adapt with the IT systems used by Gloucestershire Procurement Shared Services
Desirable criteria
  • An awareness of Stores, Stock Control, Distribution, Transportation, Storage and how change

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Good communication skills, both verbal and written and able to communicate effectively with a range of people
  • Prioritise daily tasks to achieve set timescales
  • Ability to work on own initiative, independently and as part of a team
  • Good organisational skills
  • Ability to work flexibly

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveImproving working livesWorkplace Wellbeing Charter LogoArmed Forces Covenant Gold Awardcorporate covenantStep into healthArmed Forces Covenant

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Ashley Stanford
Job title
Purchasing Team Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0300 422 2666
Additional information

If Ashley is not around please speak with Michelle Fishley on the same number

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