Business Administrator Apprentice - Coba Plastics Limited

Summary

The Business Administration Apprentice will provide structured administrative support within the Internal Sales (Customer Services) team, supporting the effective processing of customer orders, accurate documentation, and professional communication with customers and internal colleagues. 

Wage

£16,224 to £25,775.88, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Age 21 and over: £12.71 per hour

Age 18 to 20: £10.85 per hour

Age 16 to 17: £8.00 per hour

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

08:30 - 17:00 Monday to Thursday, 08:30 - 16:00 Friday

39 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 1 October 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Internal Sales/Customer Services:

• Supporting the Internal Sales (Customer Services) team with day-to-day administration of customer orders and schedules

• Assisting with the processing and amendment of customer orders in line with company procedures

• Supporting the preparation of order acknowledgements, pro-formas, and related documentation

• Maintaining accurate customer and order records within internal systems

• Supporting communication with customers regarding orders, delivery information, and general enquiries under supervision

Shadowing and Development:

• Shadowing the Customer Service Administrator to learn core customer service and internal sales processes

• Developing an understanding of order processing, customer communication, and issue resolution

• Observing how customer complaints, liabilities, and obsolescence are recorded and managed, where appropriate

External Sales Exposure:

• Providing administrative support to the External Sales team where required (e.g. samples, paperwork, documentation)

• Gaining exposure to how Internal Sales and External Sales work together to support customers

• Supporting telephone calls and message handling in a professional manner

Administration and Systems:

• Creating and maintaining accurate files and records (electronic and paper)

• Producing routine correspondence, reports, and internal documentation

• Using IT systems and software packages (e.g. Microsoft Office) to record, analyse, and present information

• Supporting process improvements by identifying more efficient ways of working

Where you'll work

Marlborough Drive
Fleckney
Leicester
LE8 8UR

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

LEICESTER COLLEGE

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.

• Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.

• Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.

• Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.

• Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.

• Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.

• Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.

• Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Training schedule

The role is designed to give the apprentice a broad understanding of the full sales function, primarily through working within Internal Sales (Customer Services), shadowing the Customer Service Administrators, and gaining exposure to the External Sales team. This role will support the development of core business administration skills in line with the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard.

80% of this apprenticeship is working with the employer and 20% is 'off the job' training, which includes attending Leicester College, Freemen's Park Campus one day every two weeks. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade Grade c or Level 4)

• Maths (grade Grade c or Level 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills

• Customer care skills

• Problem solving skills

• Administrative skills

• Analytical skills

• Logical

• Team working

• Initiative

• Non judgemental

• Patience

• Basic IT skills

• Ability to organise work

• Strong attention to detail

• Produce accurate work

• Manage time effectively

• A positive attitude

• Professional attitude

• Willingness to learn

Other requirements

As part of the application you may be emailed to complete an English assessment. 

About this employer

COBA Plastics Group is an international manufacturer of premium extruded and injection‑moulded plastic components, serving diverse and demanding industries. We focus on innovative, high‑performance material solutions while operating responsibly and sustainably. Our people are central to delivering excellence, and we are committed to integrity, quality and continuous improvement across everything we do.

https://cobaplastics.com (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

There may be an opportunity to become a customer service administrator working alongside our internal sales team at the end of this apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LEICESTER COLLEGE

Nicky Jones

nijones@leicestercollege.ac.uk

07500916875