Trainee Procurement Officer (Government Equivalent - Associate Commercial Practitioner) Ref. 3438

Central London, Cheltenham, Manchester

Job description

Flexible working: we recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance, which is why we offer flexible working options including flexi-time, part-time, full-time, job share and compressed hours. Please note this role requires a minimum of 3 days per week in the office, with flexibility to work from home 1-2 days per week. There will also be a requirement to travel to other locations as needed.

About Us

MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. A role in MI5 means you'll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.

The Role

You'll join one of our Commercial teams based at sites across England, working to manage buying demand for MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. Working closely with customers to understand their requirements, you'll identify and mitigate risks in the supply chain, ensure legal compliance and deliver best value for money. In doing so, you'll develop as a professional Commercial specialist and build your procurement knowledge and skills - all while providing vital support to our mission.

You could be working with our customer facing teams, managing relationships, developing commercial solutions and agreeing the future pipeline and prioritisation of the workbook. Or you might be supporting Commercial Delivery across Technology, Estates, People and Professional Services, and the Supply Chain Security Team. We also have roles in Commercial Operations, with responsibility for managing low value procurements, Policy, Audit, Management Information, Workforce Planning and Financial Resourcing.

From contract implementation, management and tendering to partnership negotiation and budget control, you'll contribute to a highly valued service. You'll work with customers and suppliers as you support contract performance and delivery, and ensure we meet individual requirements as well as Key Performance Indicators across Supply Chain Social Responsibility, Zero Carbon and Equality Diversity & Inclusion. As your knowledge and experience grows, you'll help improve commercial systems and processes, and ensure we continue working in line with procurement best practice.

You'll be joining a friendly, inclusive and highly supportive team working across the Intelligence Agencies. Whether you're managing and nurturing supplier relationships or liaising with customers from partner agencies or our overseas counterparts, you'll provide an efficient and collaborative procurement service that'll aid our mission to keep the country safe.

About You

You don't need experience in procurement or any other professional Commercial qualification to apply. What you will have is a commitment to grow a rewarding career in this field and bring a willingness to learn and develop to our organisation. We'll provide plenty of support and development opportunities; the key thing is that you see yourself staying in procurement long-term and share our commitment to supporting the work of the agencies.

You must have experience of delivering customer service in a professional setting. Proactive and enthusiastic, you'll have a customer-focused approach to your work. You'll work well with others using your interpersonal and communication skills, collaborating to solve issues whilst building trust and your professional networks.

You'll be flexible, showing an ability to be adaptable when overcoming challenges and resolving problems. You'll demonstrate a 'can do' attitude and consistent professional enthusiasm in your approach to a range of tasks and projects, being open and supportive to change in your area of work. You'll also evidence your decision-making skills, using your sound judgement to weigh risks and benefits to reach and communicate justifiable conclusions.

Training and Development

No matter your experience or background, you'll receive dedicated support when you join. With our encouragement, you'll study towards a professional commercial qualification such as the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) Level 4 (or a business equivalent). We'll also work with you to build your own progression plan, from mentorship with an assigned partner to a structured development path within your first three years in the role.

Through this, you'll have access to resources to support your career growth, including the completion of relevant qualifications as you progress. In short, you'll get all the help and guidance you need to grow a rewarding career at the heart of national security.

You'll be part of a community focused on your development. Upon joining, you'll have an induction into the Commercial function and regular check-ins with your manager throughout the year, as well as help to identify the skills and experience you need to excel - something that will remain throughout your career with us.

Rewards and Benefits

You'll receive a starting salary between £39,152 - £40,473 (London) or £36,534 - £37,936 (Cheltenham and Manchester) plus other benefits including:

1. 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 public and privilege holidays
2. Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
3. Dedicated development budget
4. Interest-free season ticket loan
5. Excellent pension scheme
6. Cycle to work scheme
7. Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
8. Paid parental and adoption leave

Equal Opportunities

At MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.

We're Disability Confident

MI5 are proud to have achieved Leader status within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people.

What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:

1. Pre-screening questions, which will ensure you meet our initial eligibility to apply
2. Application sift, which will assess your motivation for the role, the organisation and your relevant experience
3. Online interview, which will include motivational questions, technical questions and competency questions
4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, subject to vetting

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take up to 12-months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.

Before You Apply

To work at MI5, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV).

Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can't take any recreational drugs and you'll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

The roles are based in London, Cheltenham and Manchester, so you'll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application.

Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application.

Right to Withdraw Statement:

Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.