Trainee jobs in manchester
About the opportunity
As a Procurement Assistant within our Finance & Assurance directorate, you'll be part of a dynamic team that's transforming how we deliver financial partnership across the organisation. We're on an ambitious journey to become the Society's single point of financial truth - trusted partners and credible experts who enable the organisation to make faster, better-informed decisions. This is where you'll build your procurement expertise while making meaningful impact, where your support enables our procurement team to focus on what matters most: transforming lives affected by dementia.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone at the start of their procurement career or looking to move into the field. You'll be the person who supports Procurement Officers and Business Partners to deliver their work across the Society. From major strategic projects to day-to-day operational needs. You'll handle a broad remit of work, from keeping records organised and gathering data that spots efficiency opportunities, to helping design how we communicate with colleagues across the organisation. It's a role that gives you genuine insight into procurement in action at a major charity, building knowledge and experience that will set you up for future success.
You'll also collaborate closely with other Assistants and Trainees across Finance & Assurance, bringing fresh thinking about how we can work together more seamlessly and support colleagues even better.
The Apprenticeship Opportunity
We're committed to developing our people, and we're open to supporting the successful candidate to pursue a Level 3 Procurement & Supply Assistant Apprenticeship - though this isn't essential, and we equally welcome applicants with prior experience who are looking for their next step.
This apprenticeship offers:
- Two qualifications in one – You'll gain both the apprenticeship standard qualification and Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) certification.
- Clear progression pathway – With the option to progress onto Level 4 if desired.
- Manageable timescales – The programme typically takes between 13-15 months to complete.
- Flexible start – Learners can commence the apprenticeship within 3 months of starting the role.
- Professional development – Structured learning combined with on-the-job experience.
Apprenticeship Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the apprenticeship programme, you must:
- Have lived in England for the last 3 years.
- Be aged 16 or above (there is no upper age limit).
- Spend more than 50% of your time working in England.
- Not hold a higher qualification in the same subject area as the apprenticeship.
About you:
You're someone who's organised, eager to learn, and excited about building a career in procurement. You understand that great support work isn't just about completing tasks. It's about being proactive, spotting opportunities to improve processes, and helping teams work more effectively. You're comfortable with data and administration, and you're keen to understand the bigger picture of how procurement drives value.
You'll have:
- Good organisational and administrative skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage records, files and documentation accurately.
- Good numerical and analytical abilities, comfortable working with data to support reporting and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Effective communication skills, able to engage with colleagues at different levels and help them navigate procurement processes.
- Enthusiasm for learning and development, with a genuine interest in building procurement knowledge and expertise over time.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, taking initiative while also thriving as part of a team.
- Proficiency with standard IT systems and a willingness to learn finance or procurement software (existing experience with finance systems would be beneficial but not essential).
What you’ll focus on:
- Supporting Procurement Officers and Business Partners to deliver high-quality contract management and advice to colleagues across the Society, with a focus on driving efficiencies.
- Managing procurement records, files and documentation with accuracy and care, ensuring information is accessible and well-organised.
- Providing administrative support to the procurement team and wider directorate, including scheduling and minuting meetings.
- Gathering and analysing procurement data to help identify efficiency opportunities and support senior colleagues with recommendations.
- Helping colleagues across the Society navigate and understand our procurement processes through creative engagement approaches.
- Working collaboratively with other Assistants and Trainees across Finance & Assurance to address duplication, streamline administration, and improve how we support the Society.
Can you see yourself as part of the team that keeps procurement running smoothly while building valuable career experience? Are you ready to learn, contribute, and grow in a role where your support makes a real difference? Can you bring enthusiasm, organisation and a collaborative spirit to help ensure every pound is spent wisely in our mission to end the devastation of dementia?
Important Dates
The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Sunday 23rd November 2025.
Interviews will take place in December 2025 and will take place virtually.
About Alzheimer's Society
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.
At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re the UK’s leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.
Together with our supporters, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.
Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.
Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.
We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society.
Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.
Our hiring process
During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply. Please also contact Alzheimer’s Society Talent Acquisition Team via [email protected] for application support or any adjustments you might need.
To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.
We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.
We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a DBS check at the relevant level.
Giving back to you
Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society.
You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it’s like to be an employee at the Society.
Training Conferences and Events Assistant
Join Our Team as a Training Conferences and Events Assistant and make a difference to children and young people’s lives!
Anna Freud is seeking a Training Conferences and Events Assistant to join our world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families. Visit our website for more information.
Our EDI commitment
We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and being an equal opportunities employer, whereby equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our recruitment practices. All candidates who meet the job criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities and care experience.
We ask candidates to share their diversity dimensions with us to help us identify, tackle and prevent bias across the employee lifecycle. We believe a diverse workforce enhances our ability to support mental health and wellbeing, allowing us to better meet the needs of the children, young people and families we serve.
As a Disability Confident employer, disabled candidates meeting our criteria are guaranteed an interview. Applications are submitted anonymously and assessed using a fair evaluation process based on the criteria set out in our job profiles.
What we offer
We offer a range of benefits. Please visit our careers page to find out more.
What you’ll do
We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Training, Conferences and Events Assistant to join our Education and Training Division. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in delivering high-quality training programmes that support mental health professionals across the UK and beyond. Working in a fast-paced but supportive team, you will manage busy inboxes, liaise directly with delegates and tutors, process bookings and payments, and ensure the smooth running of our events from start to finish. You’ll bring strong communication and organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritise competing tasks, along with confidence in customer service and using systems such as Salesforce. In return, you will gain valuable experience in a nationally recognised charity, with the chance to develop your skills while contributing to work that makes a real difference. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do.
What you’ll bring
The ideal candidate will be an organised and proactive individual with experience in a busy, customer-focused environment and the ability to manage multiple priorities with confidence. They will bring excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a supportive team. With a flexible and solutions-focused approach, they will be quick to adapt, comfortable using systems such as Salesforce, and able to build positive relationships with delegates and tutors. The successful candidate will be someone who can quickly get up to speed, contribute effectively from the outset, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, as well as Anna Freud’s mission to transform the mental health of children and young people
Key details
Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week): usual working hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00. Flexibility to support training, conferences and events outside of these hours required
Salary: £25,480 FTE per annum, plus 6% contributory pension scheme
Location: Hybrid (a mixture of home/onsite working): staff are working onsite for at least 20% of their working hours, either at our London site (4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH) or our Northern Hub (Huckletree, The Express Building, 9 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester M4 5AD).
Contract type: Permanent
Next steps
Closing date for applications: midday (12pm), Friday, 21 November 2025. Please note that due to high application volumes, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to apply promptly and to keep an eye on our future vacancies for more opportunities.
Notification of interview: shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Wednesday, 26 November 2025. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Interviews: will be held remotely week commencing 1 December 2025.
How to apply: click on the 'apply now’ button to apply online. We are unable to accept CVs and kindly request no contact from agencies.
Our vision is a world where all children and young people are able to achieve their full potential.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.