Procurement Operations and Governance Apprentice

The Level 4 apprenticeship, combines practical work experience with structured learning. You will develop skills in sourcing goods and services, working with suppliers, supporting negotiations and managing contracts. Gain a recognised qualification while earning a salary and building the skills to progress in procurement and supply chain.

What you'll do

• Maintaining procurement, contract and supplier registers, ensuring key data such as owners, values, dates, approval routes and supporting evidence is complete and current
• Completing scheduled data-quality checks, identifying missing, inconsistent or expired information and following up or escalating exceptions
• Administering governance logs for waivers, approvals, declarations of interest, due diligence, contract reviews and other procurement controls
• Preparing routine dashboards and management information from agreed data sources, including pipeline, contract expiry, supplier risk, compliance and action-tracking information
• Supporting procurement planning by updating workplans, calendars, renewal schedules and action logs and by prompting owners ahead of key dates

Training

Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner Level 4.

Training will be delivered online by SR Supply Chain Consultants Ltd, which will celebrate 20 years of delivering procurement and supply chain training in 2027. You will learn from experienced tutors with industry knowledge, supported by live online workshops, dedicated mentor guidance and a range of learning and revision resources to help you succeed.

After the apprenticeship

The role will develop based on competence and the apprentice may own defined operational tasks, governance checks or low-risk work packages to support the development and evidence required of the full Level 4 occupational standard.

The apprentice will be part of a small team working alongside the Head of Procurement and Commercial Contracts. During the term of the apprenticeship and under supervision and within the apprentices delegated authority, it is expected that there will be opportunities to progress the role and gain exposure to and experience of all aspects of Procurement within the RCP.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative

Things to consider

Willingness and commitment to completing a Level 4 procurement apprenticeship and the associated study, workplace learning and assessment requirements.

• Good written English and numerical ability, with confidence working accurately with documents, records and basic data
• Good attention to detail with the ability to organise information methodically, follow defined processes and maintain a clear audit trail
• Ability to identify inconsistencies, ask appropriate questions and explain routine findings clearly, with guidance where needed
• Ability to balance study and work tasks, manage deadlines and raise concerns early when support is required
• Clear and professional communication skills and a helpful approach to colleagues and suppliers
• Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams, or the ability to learn them quickly
• Interest in procurement operations, governance, systems, contracts, supplier assurance and value for money
• Commitment to integrity, confidentiality, inclusive working and continuous professional development

About the employer

The Royal College of Physicians is a rewarding and friendly place to work with an incredible history, dating back to our foundation in 1518. We are a professional membership body for physicians with more than 40,000 members in the UK and around the world working to

improve patient care and reduce illness.

We work from two main sites – The Spine, a new state-of-the-art building at the heart of the Knowledge Quarter in Liverpool, and an iconic Grade I-listed building overlooking beautiful Regent's Park in central London.

We are committed to a hybrid working model that means

most staff work flexibly and are required to spend a minimum of 6 days a month in the office.

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Procurement and supply chain practitioner (level 4), Sales, marketing and procurement
• Apprenticeship level: Higher (level 4)
• Training provider: SR SUPPLY CHAIN CONSULTANTS LTD
• Expected duration: 2 Years
• Hours: 35 hours a week. Working week: 35 hours a week, normally between 9am and 5pm

Hybrid working model that means most staff work flexibly and are required to spend a minimum of 6 days a month in the office.

• Start date: 9 November 2026
• Positions available: 1
• Wage: £26,417 a year