AstraZeneca Operations and IS Global Graduate Associates Program 2013

Focused on assured, cost-effective, efficient supply of medicines to patients, AstraZeneca’s Operations organization is the connection between the Research and Development lab and the pharmacy shelf.

AstraZeneca is active in over 100 countries with a growing presence in emerging markets including China, Brazil, Mexico and Russia.

We employ over 57,000 people (46% in Europe, 31% in the Americas and 23% in Asia-Pacific).

9,600 employees work in our Operations organization at our Supply & Manufacturing sites in 16 countries. It’s one of the largest areas of our business and our supply chain performance is ranked as one of the best in our industry.
 
AstraZeneca’s Operations business is organised into:

• four regions - Supply Americas; Supply Europe, Middle East and Africa; Supply Asia Pacific; and Sweden Operations,Analyzing supplier market information and leveraging this to support effective sourcing decisions Utilizing relevant AZ procurement systems
• three global functions - Global External Sourcing; Global Quality; and Global Supply Chain & Strategy
• three corporate functions - Procurement; Corporate IS and AZ Essentials

We have opportunities for high calibre graduates to join our Operations & IS Global Graduate Program in 2013 across each of these areas.  Applications will be accepted - via this website - from January to February 2013.  This is a fantastic opportunity for people with the potential and ambition to become one of our leaders of the future.

Make the Connection and select Grad Ops/IS as your area of interest to get an advance notice of when we are accepting applications for the Grad Ops/IS program.

Our People

We want our people to feel positive and enthusiastic about what they are doing, with a clear sense of purpose and confidence in their abilities to meet the challenges. This means providing them with effective leadership, clear targets, open lines of communication, excellent learning and development opportunities and a healthy, safe and energizing workplace – within a performance culture where diversity is valued and individual success depends solely on personal merit and performance. 

What’s In it for you?

At AstraZeneca we offer you the opportunity to learn how to navigate in an international and diverse organization with numerous stakeholders. You will develop an understanding of AstraZeneca Operations - its most important roles and its organizational structure - and be given real responsibility from day one.

A key element of the program is leadership development. AstraZeneca has a set of core leadership capabilities - Your professional development will be supported by a strong focus on developing these core capabilities via a range of leadership development and mentoring activities within your job.

By giving you vital industry exposure, this program is the perfect springboard to a senior position within AstraZeneca. Throughout the program you will have frequent opportunities to review your progress – towards achievement of role objectives and personal development plans with your manager - via a formal performance management process.

We offer you appropriate training, work experience and a strong support network throughout the program as well as giving you an extensive understanding of the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Progression toll gates are built into the end of each year.  You will also get the opportunity to review your progress with a mentor, a program manager and members of the Global Graduate Associates network. All participants are allocated a personal mentor / coach from day one of the program.  Each Mentor / coach is a professional with the highest levels of credibility and business experience. 

How does the program work?

The Program lasts for three years. The first two years are split between three different placements; each role will provide you with an opportunity to gain invaluable insight and influence decisions within different business disciplines. You will also spend a minimum of three months living and working overseas, to gain broader perspective and understanding of our business and our culture. As you learn more about AstraZeneca, the placement roles will hold an increasing level of responsibility. Subject to performance, you will spend the final year of the Programme focussed on a role that will consolidate your capabilities and help you transition into a substantive role in our business.

Business Areas within the Program

Opportunities exist for graduates across each of our global and regional supply & quality functions as well as our three corporate functions. 

Examples of the type of tasks & activities you will be undertaking are :

Within Supply & Quality:

• Participating in a variety of lifecycle management & improvement projects to broaden knowledge and experience of AstraZeneca’s supply chains & their Quality processes;
• Understanding, managing & communicating demand, supply, packaging or Quality plans between customers, distribution networks, sites or regions;
• Analyzing data (demand, supply, metrics) and producing clear management proposals to improve supply chain and Quality performance;
• Developing and implementing forecasting processes;
• Identifying & facilitating improvement activities to have a positive cost and lead-time impact on the global supply chain;
• Reviewing & evaluating stock levels, minimum order quantities, supplier & QA lead times on a regular basis to identify continuous improvement opportunities including, but not limited to, inventory reductions.

Within Procurement:

• Carrying out sourcing and supplier management activities by purchasing products and services in line with organizational objectives and category & sourcing strategies;
• Researching & assisting in selecting potential sources of materials / services;
• Contributing to the preparation of competitive bids, quotations and proposals with accurate specifications, terms and conditions;
• Contributing to cost reduction, cost avoidance, cost containment programs;
• Analysing supplier market information and leveraging this to support effective sourcing decisions

Within Information Services:

• Working with Business Analyst community in gathering functional and technical requirements from our business users in order to develop new go-to-market solutions
• Benchmarking and analyzing new services focused on social networks and new media;
• Portfolio planning & program and project management;
• Managing our landscape of services;
• Overseeing applications, infrastructure environment and processes;
• Directing architectural alignment;
• Enhancing business interactions through high-performing and easy-accessible mobile applications;

Within Engineering:

• Managing technical projects and systems to ensure that downtime is minimized;
• Developing an understanding of the principles and concepts associated with specialist engineering areas;
• Providing technical guidance and coaching;
• Dealing with technical situations independently;
• Handling more complex work activities or in making more sensitive engineering judgments or decisions;
• Regularly exchanging complex information, mostly guiding and advising others, who may not have a technical and/or engineering experience or understanding;
• Interfacing with other internal functions and external groups, e.g. contractors, suppliers and service providers. 

What we are looking for

First and foremost, we’re looking for people who are passionate about working in pharmaceuticals & health, and have the desire to make a difference and a drive to deliver maximum value by creating solutions to meet business needs.

You will be expected to quickly understand the AstraZeneca environment. In addition, it’s crucial you have strong business acumen, plus the ability to develop great leadership and change management capabilities

You should hold a University Degree equivalent of BA, BSc or MSc degree, as a minimum in any discipline and a valid passport. You must also be geographically mobile and comfortable spending time working and living overseas. As we are a global organization, you will also need to be fluent in English. Additional language skills are desirable, especially Mandarin, Spanish or Swedish

Frequently Asked Questions

Which formal qualifications do I need?
As a minimum, a University Degree equivalent of BA, BsC, MsC in any discipline.
 
When must I have graduated?
You must have graduated within the past 3 years?
 
How, & when, should I apply?
On-line applications - via this site - will be available from January to February 2013 for 2013 recruitment.
 
What should I focus on in my application?
Your application should aim to show the skills, qualifications and experience you have that are relevant to this program. You should also tell us what you know about AstraZeneca and its Global Operations business. It would be helpful for you also to describe your motivations; career aspirations; your strengths and weaknesses and any examples of where you believe you have shown great judgment, drive or influence.
 
What should I attach with my application?
Please attach a CV to your application and any other documentation that shows your suitability for one of our roles. Your CV should show relevant dates; education establishments; work experience and any other relevant skills and experience that you have in support of your application.
 
Can I apply for more than one graduate position?
There is no requirement for you to submit multiple applications for each position you are interested in.  In your application you should however indicate which of the disciplines within Operations that you wish to be considered for (e.g. Supply Chain, Quality Management, Procurement, Information Systems or Engineering). You may express a preference to be considered for more than one of the disciplines.
 
What should I attach if I have not yet completed my master's degree?
Please indicate your expected final degree level and attach copies of any reports or certificates you have received in support of this expected outcome.
 
Am I guaranteed a job when I finish the program?
Roles will be offered to those graduates who meet the required performance levels and have demonstrated the required levels of ambition & proactivity throughout the program.  Should you not be on target to achieve any of these criteria, this will be discussed with you throughout the program as part of the normal performance management processes. Our intention is to ensure there are no surprises at the end of the program!