Operations & Supply Chain

Degree disciplines: any numerate discipline (scientific or technical), business management or logistics

Operations is the function within AstraZeneca which is responsible for Manufacturing and Supply.  It provides the link between Drug Discovery and Development and Sales and Marketing.  You could be working on a new product introduction or optimising the efficiency of manufacturing and/or supply of an existing product.

As new products are developed, it is essential that new plant is quickly and effectively designed, installed, and commissioned, so that launch dates are achieved.  When new plant is handed over to production, it is important that processes are robust to meet the needs of the business.

Not all the focus is on new products though, as we manufacture and supply a large number of significant healthcare products.  A lot of attention is also required to maximise additional value through improved service and overall cost performance.

Employing 15000 people in over 30 sites in 20 countries, its one of the largest areas of our business and presents a wide range of exciting and challenging opportunities for graduates.

All Operations recruits will have access to a wide range of training and educational & developmental opportunities, through a four year programme.  This will help improve technical, project management and interpersonal skills.  Through the programme, graduates develop their skill, knowledge and experience in a number of varied roles.

 Career opportunities exist across a range of disciplines including:

• Manufacturing Systems
• Operational Planning
• Quality Assurance
• Technical Improvement
• Training

As an Operational Professional, there may be scope to experience working in other areas of the business to further widen your horizons, including:

• Supply and Capability
• Product Strategy
• Marketing
• Finance
• Purchasing
• Research and Development
• Information Systems

The sorts of projects you could get involved in are:

• Rolling out new processes and initiatives
• Involvement with Regulatory Inspection
• Finding innovative ways to reduce costs
• Implementing initiatives to reduce leadtime and change-over time

Development of our manufacturing and supply chain professionals is key.  There is a training framework where key training activities are identified and encouraged.  These training activities might be specific to your role, or could be a way to help you strengthen your personal effectiveness, or they could also relate to general business activities.  Your manager will help you assess your own training needs and agree an individual development plan with you each year.  In addition graduates can expect to have 2-4 substantive roles in the first five years, spending nominally two years in the first role.

Suitable following roles are agreed with the Graduate Development Manager who coordinates the movement of graduates within the four-year period and are designed to give you exposure of an area which is less familiar which will help give you more breadth of the Operations environment.

As it is key for the graduates to be flexible, moves between sites are highly encouraged.  There is an expectation that graduates will move between sites when required.  

Mentoring is offered to all graduates and this is usually a senior manager within Operations who is usually working in a different department and job area.  This is so they can help shape your development and guide your aspirations.