About Us

Costain helps to improve people’s lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK’s energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency.

Our vision is to be the UK’s leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements.

We offer our clients leading edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future-shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery. Our culture and values underpin everything we do.

About the Team

CMDP is a joint venture between Costain and MWHT and delivers a range of schemes to maintain and improve Southern Water’s water supply and wastewater treatment works in the eastern half of its region (Kent & Sussex).

Job Description

Are you passionate about learning how to work as part of a team to help drive projects from inception to completion? Do you thrive in challenging environments where innovation and collaboration are key? If so, Costain's Procurement Apprenticeship could be your ideal career launchpad.

About the project

CMDP is a joint venture between Costain and MWH Treatment. CMDP+ have secured a new AMP8 Capital Programme. The Strategic Delivery Partner Framework Agreement with Southern Water for Water supply and wastewater treatment work in the eastern half its region (Kent & Sussex). This represents continuation of the successful joint venture between Costain and MWH Treatment.

Between 2025-2030 CMDP+ will deliver critical investment to Water and Wastewater infrastructure across the region including upgrades to Water and Wastewater Treatment Works, Pumping Stations and Reservoirs.

As a Procurement Apprentice at CMDP, you will be gaining firsthand experience in a diverse and dynamic environment. Working at CMDP offers a unique opportunity to be part of projects that not only advance technological frontiers but also ensure the safety and sustainability of the Water supply and wastewater management treatment.

Location: Brighton and Hove

Responsibilities

As a Procurement Apprentice, you will learn how to become responsible for delivering and further developing on existing frameworks. To evaluate and meaningfully engage with subcontractors and suppliers in terms of environmental & social sustainability.

To do this you will develop the skills to:

• Forge strong relationships with the supply chain through supplier and other relevant stakeholders’ engagement.
• Support the Procurement Team by enhancing processes and championing lean thinking throughout the supply chain and sustainable procurement strategy.
• Work to improve supplier sustainability performance, and coordinate with the rest of the procurement team to ensure sustainability aspects are incorporated appropriately into tenders and contracts.
• Be involved with supplier sustainability forums in sharing best practice with the wider Procurement Team.
• Create a bank of information on the sustainable supply chain activities and performance – case studies, reporting, data, information on lower carbon materials.
• Act as the Procurement Team's contact with the Supply Chain Sustainability School by utilising their resources.
• Learn how to formulate and issue tender enquiries, respond to queries, compare tenders, negotiate terms, and place the final order.
• Ensure approved requisitions are received prior to any procurement activities, accurate and timely material ordering via the E1 system.
• Produce quotation comparisons and recommendations for internal review and audit purposes.
• Gain and maintain excellent communications with internal clients & supply chain to ensure the provision of an efficient, timely and high-quality procurement function.
• Ensure compliance with Costain and project Procurement procedures and processes.

Qualifications

• An organised individual that can work well to deadlines.
• Someone who is creative with a keen interest in the latest technology.
• Someone that enjoys challenges and problem solving in their day-to-day work. Communicating clearly, both written and verbally.
• Works well within a team, but equally on your own.
• Building and maintaining positive working relationships.

Additional Requirements:

• Candidates will be required to achieve appropriate security and medical clearances; these will be instigated on receiving a conditional offer of employment.
• Please note that if you are invited to interview, we will require you to produce your passport and/or right to work documentation.
• As some of our project sites are based in remote locations, it is worth noting that you will be required to have the ability to travel to the site.

What does an Apprenticeship at Costain offer me?

The level and training provider for your apprenticeship will depend on the skills you present at interview. The Early Careers team will register you with a suitable training provider who can support the delivery of your qualification. Being an apprentice means you will work both on-the-job with your project at site, and off-the-job with the provider.

When taking on one of the many apprenticeships on offer by Costain, you will be supported by your project line manager and team, the Costain Early Careers Team, and the training provider of your academic qualification. The training provider may be a university or even an independent training provider.

You will be supported throughout your apprenticeship by your local team and line manager, and you will be given time to carry out your studies with the provider etc. Your on-the-job training will be in line with the work available on site but will afford the opportunity to ensure that you are given on-site experience required to meet the technical and competency levels in order to achieve your apprenticeship goals.

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