Procurement Apprentice

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. We’re deeply committed to our strategy of being a great place to work. For us, that includes fostering an environment where everyone can be among inclusive, supportive individuals with curious minds.

A company that genuinely follows the science and values individuals at all levels, you’ll be backed and encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas to push the boundaries of science and continuously learn and explore.

**Make the start of your journey a lifechanging one**

As part of our Early Talent Programme, you’ll be involved in projects and learning opportunities that have real impact from day one. Being part of our journey and helping us to provide life changing medicine to patients all over the world and transform lives for the better. Making important contributions and embracing our values to deliver on our purpose. Because regardless of role or level, we all have an important part to play in making a positive difference.

The challenge is to deliver outstanding value, not only by actively managing how the company spends to ensure focus on the resources and the discovery of innovative new medicines, but to help enable the business by adding broader business insight and best practice through innovative procurement practices.

The Procurement strategic aim is to support AstraZeneca’s corporate strategy by optimising our ecosystem of partners across the value chain in order to maximise patient outcomes.

In addition to gaining valuable working experience you will have the opportunity to study towards professional qualifications whilst earning a competitive salary. You will be supported throughout your apprenticeship by mentors and managers committed to developing your full potential within AstraZeneca.

**What the role involves**

You'll be working with procurement professionals managing a wide range of categories all of which have a pivotal role in driving the competitive advantage of AstraZeneca as a company. During this 2-year program, you'll have the opportunity to experience the full procurement lifecycle including building a category strategy, sourcing and contracting, managing supplier performance and driving continuous improvement whilst also enhancing the skills and behaviours needed for success. You might be searching for the right supplier to manufacture a new diagnostic device; you may then work with an established provider to review the ways of working to look for opportunities to automate processes, reduce operating costs or expedite timelines. All in a truly global environment.

**Whichever role you perform, you will**:

- Build knowledge of your category area & the customer area(s) you are working with
- Have an important, contributing role in the team
- Drive your own development, through formal learning and/or experience
- Be able to build core skills, such as presenting, influencing, stakeholder engagement & management etc.
- Maintain a strong peer network with your fellow apprentices & our other Early Talent employees
- Have the opportunity to get involved in activities that benefit society and our local areas, such as charity fundraising, helping school leavers decide on their next steps, building exposure of technology to students etc.
- Benefit from working in diverse, global company where we value and embrace the advantage true diversity can bring to a workplace you may even get the opportunity to visit your colleagues in other countries

**Training and Development**

We truly value Early Talent
- their thoughts, ideas and contributions. So throughout the programme, you’ll be encouraged and inspired to speak up, have a voice and make an impact.

**Skills and Capabilities**
- A strong desire to learn
- Great communication and influencing skills
- A curious attitude
- Business insight
- Interest in data analysis and interpretation
- Quick and agile thinker
- The ability to work as part of a team
- Strong organisation skills
- Demonstrable initiative
- Self-motivation

**Entry Requirements**
- 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) grades 9 to 4 including English and Maths
- To have achieved or predicted to achieve 3 A-level (grades CCC) or equivalent (96 UCAS points)

**Benefits, open and close dates**

Opening date of advert**:16th January 2023**

Closing date of advert**:17th February 2023**

This is a 2-year fixed term contract opportunity based at Macclesfield - flexibility between locations is desirable with a starting base salary of £21,500 + 11% benefits fund + bonus.

Start date for the apprenticeship programme is** 4th September 2023