The procurement and supply apprenticeship is designed to equip learners with the skills and confidence to thrive in commercial and supply chain roles. For Megan Pearce, a buyer at Mole Valley Farmers, the apprenticeship not only strengthened her professional knowledge, it also helped her grow into a more confident, capable procurement specialist.
In this case study, Megan shares how the apprenticeship supported her development, shaped her buying decisions and enhanced the value she brings to her organisation.
What was your background before starting your apprenticeship?
I have worked at Mole Valley Farmers for 6 years now, I joined in 2019 as an administrator in the Raw Materials Procurement for our mills that produce bulk farm animal feed. Over the next 4 and a half years I started to become a buyer and took on buying from Farm and the spot markets and dabbling in some future contracting too.
Why did you decide to sign up for the apprenticeship?
My manager did the apprenticeship when he started in procurement and found it beneficial and asked if I wanted to do it too. It wasn’t a course that I had heard of before, but agreed it would be beneficial to me too. To learn more about the sector and develop my knowledge and skills.
How are you finding the apprenticeship so far?
I have just finished my apprenticeship, I am proud of what I have gained from doing this course. I learn so much and gained confidence to push myself. I found the course to be interesting and the topics to be well laid out. But the best bit has to be the lecturers who are fantastic, I had Terri teaching me for my exams, she has a fantastic wealth of experience that made examples really easy to understand and she was a great teacher. Then I had Chantelle for my EPA and P and Q, she was also fantastic, she was very nice and we quickly built a relationship- she explained the work quickly and was always around to answer questions.
How does the apprenticeship support your daily work?
It has helped me gain confidence in my own abilities, I now have 7 products which I cover all the tonnage for and I feel more secure when purchasing these products. I have also thought more about the methods taught to me that mean I can evaluate the best way in which to approach a supplier and that will have helped save my business money.
Tell us about the company and what your job role involves.
MVF started in 1960 as a co-operative of farmers who formed an agricultural buying group here in North Devon and remains a farming co-op with a board of directors that control it. I am a buyer of 7 raw materials into conventional animal feed, as well as supporting the organic market we buy from too. We have 6 sites, 5 in the Southwest and 1 in Scotland producing animal feed, mainly for Cows, Sheep and Chickens, but we do cover all other farm animals in smaller ways.
My job is split across buying and administration, I enjoy the balance between to the 2 roles as I can help in different ways. I run self billing for paying our farmers who sell us grain and for haulage. Then other roles like contract admin, and then finally a buyer.
How does Oxford Professional Education support you in your apprenticeship?
They are easy to get hold of when I have had questions, and have had regular meetings between my manager, and Lucy, a learning support officer, to help keep an eye on my progress, which is very beneficial.
Would you recommend this apprenticeship to others?
I would, I have had a friend complete her level 4 and she said the course was worth doing and I completely agree. It taught me so much and gave me new ideas and confirmed some ideas. I have been able to improve buying techniques over the last 18 months.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting an apprenticeship?
Don’t be overwhelmed by the first few lessons if you don’t think it relates to the job you do, you quickly find the corresponding information and start to really enjoy the lessons and learning.
If Megan’s story shows anything, it’s how powerful a procurement and supply apprenticeship can be in building confident, capable professionals who make a measurable impact. Explore how Oxford Professional Education can support your business in developing the next generation of procurement talent.