Supply Chain Practitioner Review

I am currently responsible for procuring raw material for future projects. I communicate with several suppliers for their support and follow key quality processes to ensure the material we procure is exactly what is required. I will move placements ever 12 months to experience different areas of procurement e.g. raising orders and closing orders.

I have learnt many skills within the 6 months I have been part of the company, many of them different to what I required in my previous career - teaching. I have been able to understand the end to end processes followed within procurement and what part I currently play - requests for information and ensuring quality is correct. This has been supported by the company within placements and through the training they provide.

The programme is very enjoyable. I have been trusted and given responsibility from the offset, which has helped me to learn and progress on the job. The training provided by Aston University has also been very engaging both in person and online; they have been very supportive.

As a new programme there were some teething issues, however, now we have settled in it is clear what is expected and what progression looks like. You can tell the company has vast experience in supporting and developing apprentices.

There is lots of support available from the company, from line managers to skills coaches to employee services. They have provided all the relevant training and my colleagues have been very understanding and supportive throughout.

Aston provide weekly webinars and the opportunity to travel down for in-person lectures approximately every 9 weeks. I have been assigned a course coach who helps me to track my progress and catches up with me every 3 months alongside my manager. This helps me to understand what is required from me to progress further.

So far the modules from Aston provide a detailed and wider view of the supply chain and where I sit within that in procurement. There are also modules within the course specifically aimed at procurement to help improve my skills within this area specifically.

Yes, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with extra curricular activities in the company. These involve becoming STEM ambassadors, outward bound trips and charity events.

Yes

They provide excellent opportunities for progression and a vast range of roles - there is scope to do so much with your career.

Ensure you understand the vision and goals of the company and understand what steps they are taking to achieve those goals.