Graduate Procurement Trainee

Role Responsibility

Launch Your Career in Procurement & Commercial Services
Are you a graduate ready to build a meaningful career where your work delivers real impact?
The Kent Graduate Programme (KGP) – Procurement & Commercial Pathway offers a unique opportunity to develop into a skilled procurement professional, shaping services that provide value for money and improve outcomes for Kent’s communities.
About the Role
As a Graduate Procurement Trainee, you’ll join Kent County Council’s Commercial and Procurement Division (CPD), supporting the delivery of high-quality procurement and contract management across a wide range of essential services.
You’ll gain hands-on experience across diverse areas, including:
Growth and Communities
Environment and Waste
Highways and Transportation
Property and Facilities Management
Social Care
Corporate Services (Finance, HR, ICT)
From day one, you’ll contribute to real projects while learning how strategic procurement supports strategic outcomes.
What You’ll Be Doing
Supporting Commercial and Procurement Managers with end-to-end procurement activities
Assisting with tendering processes, bid evaluations, and contract negotiations
Contributing to supplier performance management and risk mitigation
Conducting market research and data analysis to inform decisions
Building strong relationships with internal teams and external suppliers
Using procurement systems to manage projects and reporting
Ensuring compliance with procurement regulations, including the Procurement Act 2023
What You’ll Gain
A structured two-year graduate development programme
Opportunity to complete the Level 4 Procurement and Supply Chain Apprenticeship
Exposure to varied, high-impact procurement projects
Increasing responsibility as your experience grows
A strong professional network across the organisation
Ongoing mentoring, coaching, and tailored learning opportunities
About You
We’re looking for ambitious, motivated graduates who are ready to make an impact.
You will have:
A 2:2 degree (or equivalent) in any subject
GCSEs (grade 4/C or above) in English and Maths
You’ll also bring:
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
Experience delivering tasks or projects to deadlines
Good IT and report-writing skills
Commercial awareness and an interest in local government
A proactive, adaptable approach in a fast-paced environment
Why Join Kent County Council?
At KCC, we don’t just offer jobs – we develop careers.
As part of our award-winning Graduate Programme, you’ll benefit from:
A structured development pathway with an embedded apprenticeship
Access to extensive e-learning and our Digital Skills Hub
Dedicated support from your manager and Graduate Team
Opportunities to connect with professional networks across the organisation
Flexible hybrid working, combining home and office-based working
Make a Difference
Join a forward-thinking, member-led council committed to delivering better outcomes for residents, communities, and businesses across Kent.
This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.
Closing date for applications is Friday 31
st
July, with interviews being held in Maidstone on the 21st September 2026.

Contact Details

For more information, contact Craig Merchant by e-mail craig.merchant@kent.gov.uk.

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!
KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.
Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.

Job Description & Person Specification

Graduate Procurement Trainee Application Pack.pdf