Summer Internship Programme 2026 - Procurement & Supply Chain in Stepps

Ready to own your future? At Scottish Water, our Summer Internship Programme empowers you to gain hands-on experience, tackle real challenges, and contribute to shaping Scotland’s future. This is more than just a summer job – it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As part of our team, you’ll play a key role in delivering essential services and infrastructure that help Scotland flourish every day.

You’ll be joining us at a fascinating time, as we transform into a more agile, innovative organisation that delivers outstanding service, provides great value for money, and works in an environmentally sustainable way that goes beyond Net Zero. Graduating in 2027? Kickstart your career with a 12-week summer placement and start building your future today.

What you’ll do

As a Procurement & Supply Chain Intern within the Transformation team, you’ll be part of our award-winning, CIPS Platinum accredited team, helping to deliver innovation projects that deliver cost efficiencies and sustainability improvements to Scottish Water. What sets this internship apart is the chance to get involved in exciting projects that focus on supply chain sustainability and innovation. Within your internship, you will take ownership of delivering your own impactful project that actively contributes towards achieving Scottish Water’s strategic ambitions.

You’ll work alongside various teams exploring fresh ways to collaborate with suppliers and industry bodies on key environmental goals, helping to drive positive change in our supply chain. Previous Procurement and Supply Chain interns have delivered projects focused on the development of exciting new processes and the introduction of innovative materials and products into our operations.

By the conclusion of your internship, you’ll have built your skills in strategic thinking, project management, stakeholder management, and business development by getting involved in real projects that make a difference. Plus, you’ll gain valuable insight into how procurement is a key player in achieving our long-term sustainability goals.

Finally, you’ll also gain a rounded understanding of the Procurement function, with opportunities to learn first-hand about the processes of sourcing materials and services, managing supplier relationships and contracts, and undertaking negotiations.

This is a paid summer internship, with an hourly rate of £13.45, aligned with the Real Living Wage. The role is typically full-time (35 hours per week), though we’re open to discussing flexible working patterns where possible. For a 35-hour week, the equivalent annual salary would be approximately £24,574, pro-rated for the length of the internship.

What you’ll need

You’ll be in the penultimate year of university, or perhaps about to start a Master’s degree. Either way, you’ll be on track for at least a 2:2 degree and available for the full 12-week placement. You could be studying Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Management, Legal, Social Sciences or a STEM-related discipline (for example Engineering, Data, Maths, or Environmental Sciences). Degrees with a focus on Sustainability or technical problem-solving are particularly relevant to our work in Procurement & Supply Chain.

We’re flexible on subject background – what matters most is your interest in Procurement & Supply Chain and your ability to think analytically, work with data, and solve complex problems. Tell us why this career path is right for you. Most of all, you’ll bring curiosity, enthusiasm, and a real desire to learn – along with the motivation to apply what you’re studying in a practical, real-world environment.

You’ll need to live within commuting distance of Stepps, as this role will be aligned to The Bridge (one of our key office locations).

What helps candidates stand out?

• CVs that tell us more than just your grades. Show us what you’ve learned, what interests you, and what motivates you.
• Cover letters that explain why Scottish Water – and why this particular internship appeals to you.
• Applications that demonstrate our values: Bold, Responsible, Inspiring and Caring.

Looking out for you

While the work we do is important, it’s not the only thing that matters. That’s why we support a healthy work-life balance and flexible ways of working where possible. You’ll gain meaningful experience, build your professional network, and get a real feel for what a future career at Scottish Water could look like – all while being supported by experienced colleagues who want you to succeed.

What happens next?

The closing date for applications is Sunday 8th February. Please submit your CV and a cover letter (maximum 500 words) as part of your application. If shortlisted, final interviews will take place during February 23rd to March 13th and yes, you’ll get the chance to ask us plenty of questions too. If you accept a place on the programme, you’ll complete pre-employment screening during the Spring, including a criminal record check. All interns will start together in June for a 12-week Summer Internship, finishing at the end of August. You’ll take part in an induction, meet fellow interns and colleagues, learn about the organisation, visit operational sites, and hopefully have a lot of fun along the way.