In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across five major industries; Aerospace, Defence, Ground Transportation, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Procurement Apprentice

Level 3 Business and Procurement Apprenticeship

Are you looking for an employer who will sponsor you through an industry recognised qualification, whilst providing valuable and exciting on-the-job experience within a global, innovative and industry-leading organisation? If so, read on to see what Thales has on offer.

The Procurement function is responsible for effectively acquiring the goods and services the company needs in order to win new business and deliver profitable projects, it is therefore uniquely placed to contribute to both the top and bottom line. It typically manages orders and contracts equating to over 60% of the company’s turnover, impacting on Thales product quality, performance, growth and reputation.

Being a Procurement professional means understanding the strategy of our businesses, working in a Global environment, conducting complex negotiations, co-ordinating multidisciplinary internal teams and working with external companies to improve their performance to us. The skills and experience you will acquire in the function are readily transferable, offering a wide variety of career opportunities both inside the function and with the many others with which we interface on a daily basis. No wonder one of our current Early Careers Members described the Procurement function in five words: “challenging, dynamic, complex, strategic, teamwork” and concluded that “no two days are the same”.

You’ll be joining a world class procurement function that achieved   ‘Advanced Platinum’ Certification status by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply back in 2018. The work involved is Diverse, Cross Functional and you will have an opportunity to collaborate with many other areas of the business.

The Programme:

Through our apprenticeship you’ll be making the most of your talents, getting to understand procurement from the ground up; and doing so with the help of one of the biggest and best names in the industry.

This is a 3 year programme which combines core business skills, with bespoke procurement training. In Year 1 you will enrol onto a Level 3 Business Admin Apprenticeship, delivered over 12 months with The Apprentice Academy. This will provide you with a broad base of business skills to support your transition into the company. In Year 2 and Year 3 you will progress onto a Level 4 Procurement and Supply Apprenticeship, working towards the industry recognised Level 4 CIPS Certificate. At the end of the programme learners will transition into a permanent role within the procurement function and will have the opportunity to discuss progression onto the Level 5 and Level 6 CIPS Certificates. This is a fantastic opportunity to start your career in procurement, with scope for continued growth and progression.  

Who we’re looking for:

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are motivated, committed and keen to learn. You will be a self-starter who is able to manage their time, show initiative and has a genuine interest in Procurement and Thales. Successful candidates will show self-discipline and an aspiration to achieve  the CIPS qualifications.

You will also need:

• Candidates will need a minimum of 2 A Levels at grade A-C.
• They will also require 5 GCSEs grade A-C (9-4) including English and Maths.
• Right to Work in the UK for the duration of the 3 year programme.
• Please note that applicants who already hold an A Level in Business may not be eligible for Year 1 of the programme, but may be able to start straight onto Year 2.

Please note, assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February and May 2024. Induction week for all Graduate and Apprentices will run from Monday 2 September until Friday 6 September 2024

Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Sunday 11 February 2024, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note we will be in contact by the end of February 2024 with details of next steps.

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales many of our roles are subject to security restrictions and, as a result, you may be limited to what you can work on within our business in relation to your place of birth and/or nationality.

As standard, all successful candidates must possess the permanent right to work in the UK, and will be required to go through Government security clearance at BPSS Level prior to starting with us and then to obtain full Security Clearance (SC) in line with the United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) requirements. 

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years.  In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.  As part of the vetting process you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, eligibility to work in the UK, time spent abroad over the last 5 years, as well as employment and / or educational history.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please follow this link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!