Ready to graduate
It’s time to put your talent to work.
You’ve worked long. You’ve worked hard. Your formal education is now nearing completion. Apply it to a career that uses all your talents, knowledge and skills to the fullest. And inspires you to keep on learning and growing. Take a look at the various opportunities at AstraZeneca. Find that career here.
Operations Global Graduate Associate Program
Across our global supply site network and corporate functions, Operations employees share one ambition – to transform Operations into a customer-centric, world-class supply organization. Employing 11,600 people at 18 sites in 15 countries, it’s one of the largest areas of our business, and our supply chain performance is ranked as the best in industry.
We have opportunities for high-calibre graduates to join our global graduate associates programme in a number of key disciplines: Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering and Quality. It’s a fantastic opportunity for people with the potential and ambition to become one of our leaders of the future.
Consisting of three placements over the first two years – to include a period of at least 3 months working and living overseas, followed by a 12-month capability consolidation role – the programme will give you exposure to different parts of Operations. Wherever you go and whatever you do, our roles carry real responsibility, and there will be excellent opportunities to develop your professional skills and a chance to work towards relevant professional qualifications.
What’s in it for you?
At AstraZeneca, we offer broad professional training, work experience and a strong network as well as an extensive understanding of the Pharmaceutical Industry. You will learn how to navigate in an international and diverse organization with numerous stakeholders. You will also develop an understanding of AstraZeneca Operations, its most important roles, and its organizational structure, and be given great responsibility and the opportunity to influence people and projects and to make your effort count.
A key element of the program is Leadership development. AstraZeneca has a set of core competencies that we refer to in terms of desired leadership skills. Your professional development will be supported by a strong focus on developing these core behaviors via a range of leadership development and mentoring activities.
Placements start in September 2010 and will be based at one of our Global AstraZeneca sites in Europe, the USA, or China.
By giving you vital industry exposure, this programme is the perfect springboard to a senior position within AstraZeneca.
Performance reviews to keep you on track
Throughout the programme, 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. 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 programme manager and members of the Global Graduate Associate network.
A personal mentor
All participants are allocated a personal mentor/coach from day one of the programme. Mentors/coaches are usually selected from within internal global talent pools, and are professionals with the highest levels of credibility and business experience. Mentors/coaches who can offer the most appropriate levels of support and challenge for you in your role are individually selected for you.
Business Areas within the Programme
The specific business areas of the programme within AZ Operations are Engineering, Global Quality, Procurement and Supply Chain. Roles are designed to enable you to take an active and participative approach to challenging tasks and projects as determined by local managers.
Within Procurement:
The role holder will deliver operational strategies and contribute to procurement activities by carrying out basic sourcing and supplier management activities such as:
- Purchasing products and services in line with organizational objectives and category/sourcing strategies
- Researching and 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, and cost containment programmes
- Analyzing supplier market information and leveraging this to support effective sourcing decisions
- Utilizing relevant AZ procurement systems
Within Supply Chain & Quality:
The role holder will deliver operational strategies across his/her area of Supply Chain by:
- Understanding, managing and communicating demand, supply, packaging or Quality plans, potentially between customers, distribution networks, sites or regions
- Participating in a variety of lifecycle management and improvement projects to broaden knowledge and experience of AstraZeneca’s supply chains and their Quality processes
- Developing and implementing Forecasting processes
- Analyzing data (demand, supply, metrics) and producing clear management proposals to improve supply chain and Quality performance
- Ensuring excellent customer service to designated customers from supply sites
- Identifying and facilitating improvement activities to have a positive cost and lead-time impact on the global supply chain
- Reviewing and evaluating stock levels, minimum order quantities, and supplier and QA lead times on a regular basis to identify continuous improvement opportunities, including inventory reductions
- Coordinating and executing stock replenishment activities and management of inventory levels to ensure sufficient stock levels
Within Information Systems:
The role holder will deliver operational strategies within IS by:
- Delivering our pipeline of new capabilities
- Managing our landscape of services
- Overseeing applications, infrastructure environment and processes
- Engaging in portfolio planning
- Undertaking programme and project management
- Directing architectural alignment
Within Engineering:
The role holder will deliver operational strategies across his/her area of Engineering by:
- Managing some technical projects and systems to ensure that downtime is minimized and that people and financial resources are effectively and efficiently managed within regulatory, statutory and engineering standards; it is likely that the role holder will have to manage several different projects/tasks simultaneously
- Developing an understanding of the principles and concepts associated with own specialist engineering area/subject and a general understanding of other specialism in own function and those of the area(s) that the role supports
- Gaining a working knowledge of the engineering systems pertaining to their immediate work area
- Providing technical guidance and coaching to immediate team members; this may involve the allocation and oversight of the quality of work in progress using existing knowledge and experience to offer advice and guidance
- Dealing with technical situations independently and seeking advice when handling more complex work activities or in making more sensitive engineering judgments or decisions
- Regularly exchanging complex information, mostly by guiding and advising others who may not have technical and/or engineering experience or understanding
- Interfacing with other internal functions and external groups, e.g. contractors, suppliers and service providers; the role holder is expected to manage several customers at one time and be able to meet their requirements
When you join us, you will become part of a global workplace with close to 63,000 outstanding employees. You will be included in a diverse group of equally talented graduates, and you will build a unique network with fellow graduates, colleagues and decision makers.
We are looking for...
First and foremost, we’re looking for people who can quickly understand the Operations environment. In addition, it’s crucial that you have strong business acumen, plus the ability to lead teams as well as deliver operational strategies through suppliers and for our customers. A degree (or equivalent) in any discipline and a valid passport are essential. You will also be geographically mobile and must be 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/Chinese, Swedish or another European language.
Success factors
- You will have the ability and desire to develop:
- Broad functional and business awareness
- Strong commercial and strategic acumen
- Leadership and change management capabilities
- Global cultural awareness and influencing skills
- You feel stimulated to work with pharmaceuticals and health
- You have the desire to make a difference and a drive to deliver maximum value
- You have the ability to manage multiple projects/tasks effectively
- You are a team player full of energy and self-motivation
- You have strong analytical skills
FAQ
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
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 programme. 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, 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?
In your application, you should indicate which of the disciplines within Operations you wish to be considered for (e.g. Supply Chain, Quality Management, Procurement or Engineering). You may express a preference to be considered for more than one of the disciplines. There is no requirement for you to submit multiple applications for each position you are interested in.
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 programme?
We guarantee roles to those graduates who have met the required performance levels and have demonstrated the required levels of ambition and proactivity throughout the programme. Should you not be on target to achieve any of these criteria, this will be discussed with you throughout the programme as part of the normal performance management processes. Our intention is to ensure there are no nasty surprises at the end of the programme!
Please note: the application period occurs once annually, and varies each year. Please check here often to find out exact dates.
AstraZeneca Finance Graduate Programme
In order to attract, recruit and develop high-calibre individuals within Finance Management, we have developed a unique international programme for Graduates and Finance Professionals in their early career which provides them with world-class opportunity and experience. It’s a fantastic chance for people with the potential and ambition to become an AstraZeneca Global Finance leader of the future.
The programme is a three-year investment that offers broad professional training and work experience across diverse areas of the company, all of which carry real responsibility and opportunity for development.
As an AstraZeneca Finance Graduate, you will gain experience through a tailored scheme consisting of one-year placements that can be across any AstraZeneca Finance function. These are as diverse and challenging as you would expect from a global organisation, with placements in R&D, Manufacturing, Sales and Marketing, Strategic Planning, Group Financial Reporting and Business Development.
What’s in it for you?
At AstraZeneca, we offer broad professional training, work experience and a strong network as well as an extensive understanding of the Pharmaceutical Industry. You will learn how to navigate in an international and diverse organization with numerous stakeholders. You will be given great responsibility and the opportunity to influence people and projects and to make your effort count.
A key element of the programme is Leadership development. AstraZeneca has a set of core competencies that we refer to in terms of desired leadership skills. Your professional development will be supported by a strong focus on developing these core behaviors via a range of leadership development and mentoring activities.
You will gain a strong foundation within a broad set of competencies required for a career in Finance. You will develop your skills, for example within R&D Finance, Operations Finance, Commercial Operations and a range of Corporate Finance functions including audit, compliance, tax, treasury and financial reporting, just to mention a few.
We will continuously support your development as a leader through coaching, mentoring and your participation in an international Finance Graduate network within AstraZeneca. Performance will be assessed throughout – with progression toll gates built in at the end of each year.
Placements start in September 2010, and you will be based at one of our Global AstraZeneca sites.
By giving you vital industry exposure, this programme is the perfect springboard to a senior position within AstraZeneca.
Performance Management and Individual Development
Your performance is reviewed and rewarded in line with the AZ Performance Planning lifecycle. Twice per year you will be reviewing your targets and your performance against these together with your Line manager. Each Graduate has an Individual Development Plan to track and follow up aspirations as well as development activities identified to fulfill your Professional role and to become a Qualified Management Accountant.
A personal Career Mentor
During the final year in the scheme, you will be assigned a personal Career Mentor who is a senior Finance Professional within AZ. You will meet this person at least quarterly. The aim is to get inspiration and senior advice when it comes to career planning and next steps. At this stage in the Programme, you are about to move on to your first permanent position, and thoughts such as how to best continue to build your career after you leave the scheme can be very valuable to discuss with an experienced person who knows the organisation.
CIMA Qualification
AstraZeneca sponsors and supports training for you to become a CIMA Chartered Management Accountant. CIMA is the voice of global management accountancy, with over 171,000 members and students working in 16 countries. CIMA trains, supports and protects their members and students through high standards of assessment and regulation, with AstraZeneca being a recognized employee provider of these professional training schemes.
For further information on CIMA, please visit www.cimaglobal.com.
What we are looking for
First and foremost, we are looking for individuals that have strong business acumen and the ability to lead teams, plus an outstanding academic record, with a BA, B.Sc or M.Sc or equivalent. You must also have evidence of meaningful work and leadership experience.
As we are a global organization, it is important that you are geographically mobile and comfortable spending time working and living overseas. Whilst initial placements would be within the country where you are normally based, there are fantastic opportunities for European and global placements later in the scheme. Hence we are looking for individuals who speak in fluent English, and additional language skills, such as any European language and/or Mandarin Chinese, are desirable.
Success factors
- You feel stimulated to work with pharmaceuticals and health
- Strong leadership capabilities
- Strong commercial and strategic acumen
- You are ambitious, never give up and always have the desire to develop and learn more
- You can demonstrate that you have a strong desire to become a CFO or similar during your career
- You possess global cultural awareness and have good influencing skills
- You have the desire to make a difference and a drive to deliver maximum value
- You have well developed judgment and integrity
FAQ
Which formal qualifications do I need?
As a minimum, a University Degree equivalent of BA, BsC, or MsC in any discipline.
When must I have graduated?
You must be finishing the same year you will start at AstraZeneca, at the latest, when you join the programme in September.
What should I focus on in my application?
Describe extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and working experience, and show in what way you think you have the drive to be successful in AstraZeneca and why you chose the Pharma industry. Display your motivation to study for a CIMA qualification and to become a leader within AstraZeneca.
What should I attach with my application?
A complete CV as a minimum. You should be prepared to give references upon request.
Can I apply for more than one graduate position?
Yes.
What should I attach if I have not yet completed my degree?
What you have so far, and then it can be attached when completed.
Am I guaranteed a job when I finish the programme?
Yes you are if you meet the objective scheme criteria around qualification and performance, which the vast majority do.
Please note: the application period occurs once annually, and varies each year. Please check here often to find out exact dates.
