Trainee Procurement Officer

Trainee Procurement Officer (Government Equivalent: Trainee Commercial Officer) 

Locations: Central London, Cheltenham, or Manchester 

Salary: London: £40,428. Cheltenham/Manchester: £37,723  

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

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. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. 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. 

This two-year development programme offers a structured route into a career in procurement, where you’ll help deliver the goods, services and infrastructure that enable critical national security work. From the outset, you’ll be involved in live projects, working across the full procurement lifecycle – from understanding business needs and engaging with suppliers through to supporting sourcing, awarding contracts and managing performance. Along the way, you’ll develop a clear understanding of how commercial decisions affect what an organisation can deliver. 

With support from your manager, mentor and the wider team, you’ll build your capability through a combination of formal training and hands-on experience. As you work towards the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Level 4 qualification, you’ll also develop both your technical knowledge and practical skills. 

Working as part of a collaborative team, you’ll quickly develop your knowledge across a broad range of procurement activities, including tendering, supplier relationship management and contract performance. As you progress, you’ll begin to take ownership of your own work, gaining experience across different projects and learning how to balance cost, risk and value to achieve the right outcomes. 

So what about you? You don’t need prior experience in procurement, but you’ll have an interest in how organisations operate and make decisions about what they buy. A minimum of two A Levels or BTEC equivalent, or a minimum of 12 months experience in a procurement or commercial role is essential.  

You’ll be comfortable working in a team, communicating clearly and contributing to tasks delivered to deadlines, bringing a practical and structured approach to your work. Curiosity, adaptability and a willingness to learn will be key. In return, you’ll have the opportunity to build a long-term career in procurement, developing your skills and judgement over time as you progress into a more independent Procurement Manager role. 

Please note, this role has two planned intake points in 2027 and 2028, so the recruitment process may take slightly longer than usual. 

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. Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website.

To find out more about this role, and to apply, please visit our website.  

To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You can apply at the age of 17 years, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Full eligibility details can be found on our website.