Operations and IS Global Graduate Associates Program

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About the Programme

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 16 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 Operations and IS Global Graduate Associate Programme. 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. Subject to a satisfactory assessment at the end of Year two, you’ll do a 12-month capability consolidation role in Year three.

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 behaviours via a range of leadership development and mentoring activities.

By giving you vital industry exposure, this program is the perfect springboard to a senior position within AstraZeneca. Performance reviews to keep you on track. 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. 

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.  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 & challenge for you in your role are individually selected for you.

Business Areas within the Program.

The specific business areas of the program within AZ Operations are Engineering, Global Quality, Procurement, Information Systems 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.

Procurement:

The role holder will deliver operational strategies through contributing to procurement activities, carrying out basic 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
• Analyzing supplier market information and leveraging this to support effective sourcing decisions Utilizing relevant AZ procurement systems

Supply Chain & Quality:

The role holder will deliver operational strategies across his / her area of Supply Chain by

• Understanding, managing & communicating demand, supply, packaging or Quality plans: potentially between customers, distribution networks, sites or regions
• Participating in a variety of lifecycle management & improvement projects to broaden knowledge and experience of AstraZeneca’s supply chains & 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 & 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
• Co-coordinating & executing stock replenishment activities and management of inventory levels ensuring sufficient stock levels

Information Services:

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

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 overseeing 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 guiding and advising others, who may not have a technical and/or engineering experience or understanding, within own team and the team(s) that they support. 
• 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

We are looking for...

First and foremost, we’re looking for people who can quickly understand the AstraZeneca environment. In addition, it’s crucial you have strong business acumen, plus the ability to lead teams whilst driving operational strategies through suppliers and delivery for our customers. A BA, BSc or MSc degree (or equivalent), at a minimum in any discipline and a valid passport are essential. You will also be geographically mobile and comfortable spending time working and living overseas. As we are a global organisation, you will also need to be fluent in English. Additional language skills are desirable, especially Mandarin or Cantonese, 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 will be passionate about working in pharmaceuticals and health
• You have the desire to make a difference and a drive to deliver maximum value
• You have the ability to create solutions to meet business needs

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 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?
In your application you should 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. 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 program?
We guarantee roles to those graduates who have met 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!