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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 31st July, with interviews being held in Maidstone on the 21st September 2026.

About you

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

About us

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.