Procurement Apprentice: Start Your Buying Career in Chorley

LOCATION: Chorley

DEPARTMENT: Corporate Overhead

POSITION: Staff

CLEARANCE: BPSS

Working at NSG

NSG Environmental Ltd has been delivering work programmes in the nuclear industry for over 40 years. Traditionally in the areas of decommissioning and waste management, NSG now has a broad customer base and provides a wide spectrum of services across the nuclear project lifecycle, ranging from expert consultancy support, R&D and engineering design to rekit and refurbishment, site installation services and high-hazard physical decommissioning works, amongst others. This work is delivered at NSG’s own offices and purpose-built facilities and nuclear sites across the UK. The delivery and management of these projects and programmes of work is carried out by a skilled workforce composed of both white‑colour and blue‑colour personnel in technical, administrative, and physical roles. Our core values of Passion, Integrity, Challenge and Collaboration drive performance and ensure we add significant value. If joining us as a member of staff, we will support your professional development in an exciting and challenging work environment that will enable you to use, develop and hone your technical expertise in a supportive and collaborative working environment.

The Role

The Apprentice Purchasing Administrator provides support to the Procurement Department while completing a recognised apprenticeship programme by carrying out basic procurement administration tasks, maintaining accurate records, and supporting low‑risk purchasing activities under supervision. This position is designed as an entry point into the Procurement profession, offering structured training, mentoring, and development opportunities leading toward progression into a full Purchase Administrator role.

Key Objectives

• Purchase Request & Order Support
  • Assist with reviewing purchase requests for completeness under supervision.
  • Support the entry of PRs into the procurement system for approval.
  • Help Buyers prepare draft purchase orders for low‑risk items following guidance.
  • Learn and apply purchase order processes, coding, and approval routes.
• Goods Receipting & Documentations Processing
  • Match delivery notes to purchase orders and support the recording of goods received.
  • Help resolve basic documentation issues by contacting suppliers or internal teams.
  • File and maintain procurement documentation in line with departmental standards.
  • Support invoice matching processes by providing accurate information to Finance.
• Supplier Administration & Onboarding Support
  • Assist with collecting supplier documentation (insurance, certificates, contact details).
  • Help maintain central supplier details in supply chain management software and supplier records in procurement filing structure.
  • Support the tracking of outstanding supplier information and reminders.
• Procurement Mailbox Management
  • Monitor the central procurement mailbox under supervision.
  • Record incoming work data for reporting purposes.
  • Allocate basic requests to appropriate team members.
  • Respond to simple enquiries using standard templates.
• Low‑Risk, Low‑Value Sourcing
  • Support with obtaining quotes for simple, low‑value items.
  • Compare basic pricing information using departmental templates.
  • Ensure all sourcing follows procurement guidance and is reviewed by a Purchasing Administrator, a Buyer or an Administrator.
• Data Entry, Record Keeping & System Support
  • Maintain accurate data entry across NSG systems and shared folders.
  • Assist with scanning, filing, naming, and organising documents.
  • Ensure records are complete, tidy, and audit ready.
• Development, Training & Learning
  • Complete apprenticeship learning modules on time and to expected standards.
  • Participate in internal training, shadowing, and team development sessions.
  • Build understanding of processes, templates, and governance.
  • Demonstrate increasing independence as competency grows.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSEs or equivalent - Desirable
• Eligible for relevant apprenticeship programme - Desirable
• IOSH Managing Safely or Level 2 Health & Safety in the Workplace or equivalent - Relevant training will be provided if required.

Experience & Knowledge

• Well organised with the ability to work to timescales and demonstrate attention to detail - Desirable
• Routine recording and reporting of information both verbal and numerical - Desirable
• willingness to learn new systems and processes - Desirable
• Used to dealing with confidential and commercial information - Desirable
• Familiar with integrated management system operating procedures and requirements etc. - Desirable

Skills & Abilities

• Competent user of MS Office - Desirable
• Able to organise and prioritise own work - Desirable
• Maintenance of database and physical records and files - Desirable
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of colleagues at all levels and with external stakeholders and contractors - Desirable
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 / 14001 & 45001 - Desirable

Package

• Hours – 37.5 hours per week
• Overtime – 37.5‑60 hours per week – Time and half
• Overtime – 60+ hours per week or Sundays – Double time
• Life Assurance 3x Salary
• Private Healthcare package
• Pension – Company contributes 5%, Individual contributes 4%
• Discretionary bonus
• 187.5 hours per year holiday allowance
• Professional memberships covered

NSG Environmental are a Disability Confident Committed Employer