Procurement Apprentice - Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship and Level 4 Procurement and Supply Apprenticeship in Crawley

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Start Date: 6 September 2027

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Employee type: Permanent

Working Schedule: Monday - Friday, 37 hours a week (8 hours Monday - Thursday, 5 hours Friday)

Transform your curiosity into a rewarding career. If you’re passionate about procurement and supply chain, interested in developing skills in negotiation and supplier relationship management, and eager to learn, this apprenticeship is perfect for you. Combining academic study with hands‑on, practical experience, it offers a fantastic opportunity to grow and thrive. We’d love to hear from you!

Benefits of the programme:

• Earn a salary while studying for your apprenticeship
• Gain hands‑on experience in a real‑life working environment
• Receive job‑specific training and development
• Achieve a recognised procurement qualification
• Secure a permanent role from the start of your apprenticeship
• Tuition fees for the approved training providers are fully covered

About the Role:

As a Procurement Apprentice, you will become a valued member of our UK centralised procurement team, working at the very heart of supply chain operations. Your responsibilities may include:

• Hands‑on experience in tactical buying and procurement
• Opportunity to support cost‑saving initiatives and efficient purchasing decisions
• Exposure to supplier management and maintaining positive supplier relationships
• Training in core procurement processes and procedures
• Experience in purchase order creation and management
• Developing customer service skills by supporting internal stakeholders
• Building confidence in problem‑solving within supply chain operations
• Experience in contract administration and the basics of procurement law
• Collaboration with a centralised UK team on supply chain activities
• Support in developing skills in responsible and sustainable procurement
• Introduction to risk identification and management in the procurement context
• Real prospects for growth and development within the procurement profession

What You Will Learn:

Throughout your apprenticeship, you will develop knowledge and skills in:

• Tactical buying, negotiation, and supplier relationship management to ensure value and compliance for the business
• Learn to create and manage purchase orders efficiently
• Solve day‑to‑day supply chain challenges
• Deliver excellent service to internal customers
• Work closely with colleagues across functions to collaborate effectively
• Develop skills in contract administration and risk awareness
• Promote ethical and sustainable procurement practices
• Acquire practical experience and build a strong foundation for a career in procurement
• Access opportunities for progression and professional growth within the procurement profession

Apprenticeship Programme:

You will study towards a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship, before progressing onto a Level 4 Procurement and Supply Apprenticeship with The Apprentice Academy. The programme is delivered through a virtual delivery model, combining:

• Live virtual lectures
• Online learning resources
• Self‑directed learning activities

Programme structure:

As a Procurement Apprentice you will enrol onto a 3‑year programme, which will include two parts:

• Years 1: Complete a Level 3 in Business Administration with the Apprentice Academy. Delivered via a virtual learning module, this part of the programme will introduce you to the business in the context of procurement.
• Years 2 and 3: Progress onto a Level 4 Procurement and Supply Apprenticeship with the same training provider. Upon completion you will hold both the Level 3 and 4 apprenticeship qualification, plus your CIPS Level 4.

You will be based in our centralised procurement team in the UK, working alongside experienced professionals. Throughout the programme, you will receive on‑the‑job training, coaching, and support to develop your capabilities as a Tactical Buyer. Thales will support your professional qualifications as part of your development, and you’ll have access to a range of learning and development resources.

Entry Requirements:

To apply, you will need:

• 2 A Levels or equivalent Grade C or above in any subject or equivalent Level 3 qualification such as BTEC Diploma or T Level
• 5 GCSEs Grade 9–4 (A‑C) including Maths and English

Benefits:

• Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
• Performance‑related pay uplifts
• Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• Contributory Company Pension
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Hybrid/flexible working options
• Employee assistance programme
• Learning and development support
• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives
• Life Cover
• 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first two years)

Note assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February - May 2027. Induction week for all Graduate and Apprentices will take place from Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027. Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February 2027, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of February 2027 with details of next steps.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ROLES MAY CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE ADVERTISED DEADLINE IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID MISSING OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.

Because of the work we do at Thales, all roles are subject to security requirements. To be considered for this position, you must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC), which is a government background check, before starting employment. To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas during the last five years, and your employment and/or education history.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales. At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features. Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!