Level 3 Process Industry Manufacturing Technician Apprentice

Level 3 Process Industry Manufacturing Technician Apprentice

Macclesfield, UK

Starting base salary of £24,570+ 11% benefits fund + bonus

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 anenvironment 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 backedand encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas to push the boundaries of science andcontinuously 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.

Macclesfield

The Macclesfield Campus is an essential part of AstraZeneca’s UK Operation and the 2nd largest operational site within the company’s global network. It is approx. 100 acres with around 4500 people working on site. The site is unique in the AstraZeneca network having Operations, R&D, G&A, IT and others on its site.

About the Apprenticeship Programme

The apprenticeship programme will be manufacturing based learning with practical on the job training within the Zoladex/Copolymer manufacturing departments. There will be opportunities to rotate between plants and different products working alongside industry professionals to gain a broad experience of each department including time spent shadowing the Health & Safety advisers.  Carrying out duties such as:

• Delivering the required production demand for a number of pharmaceutical products. 

• Operation of manufacturing equipment, including start up and shutdown procedures, in process checks. 

• Performing critical quality checks in line with current Good Manufacturing Procedures (cGMP)

• Use of Lean manufacturing tools

There are two key Manufacturing areas of Macclesfield Site, the Global Packaging centre of excellence and the Sterile Parenteral Manufacturing Area. These are both highly regulated working environments where we produce & pack medicines for patients. Due to the nature of the regulated working environment, you will be trained in how to dress and operate effectively & efficiently. 

You'll work either a Monday to Friday day pattern or a shift pattern as follows:

• 6am to 1.40pm Monday to Thursday and 6am to 12 noon on Friday

• 1.30pm to 9.10pm Monday to Thursday and 12 noon to 6pm on Friday

Whilst routinely our Apprentices are not required to support working weekends some aspect of this may be planned in as part of the apprenticeship to support the apprentices learning and experience if placed in an area that works that pattern. Shift working receives additional payments dependent on the type of shift pattern worked.

Training and Development

AstraZeneca will sponsor you through yourLevel 4 Process Industry Manufacturing Technician qualification through Cogent.  

The apprenticeship combines working, earning a full-time salary, with fully funded part-time learning (on average 1 day/week). This will give you the opportunity to gain aLevel 4 Process Industry Manufacturing Technicianqualification, just as you would if you went to college full-time, with the advantage of gaining relevant work-life skills and the excitement of helping to develop new medicines whilst taking your first steps towards a rewarding career.

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

Skills and Capabilities

We would be looking for the following attributes from our successful applicants:

• Good communication & team working skills

• High organisation skills and confidence to work independently

• Logical thinking to be able to apply processes

• Ability to apply a rational approach to problem solving; making judgements based on sound reasoning, approaching problems in a logical manner

• High numeracy and literacy skills including computer literacy

• Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative

Entry Requirements

5 GCSEs (or equivalent) grades 9 to 4 including English and Maths.

To have achieved or predicted to achieve a minimum of 1A levels at Grade C (32 UCAS points) or equivalent at Grade C.

Benefits, open and close dates

To apply for this position, please click the apply link.

This is a 3-year fixed term contract opportunity based at Macclesfield with a starting base salary of £24,570+ 11% benefits fund + bonus.

At AstraZeneca, we aim to set you up for success and we recognise the challenges that starting a new job can bring. We therefore offer a relocation package to help with the costs and process of moving for candidates who currently live more than 60 minutes from the site location for this Apprenticeship. 

Opening date of advert: 12thJanuary 2026

Closing date of advert: 15th February 2026

Successful candidates will be asked to attend a virtual Assessment Day during week commencing

Should you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations, please let us know on your application.