Register Your Interest - Manufacturing Operations Graduate Programme - Irvine, 2026

Register Your Interest - Manufacturing Operations Graduate Programme - Irvine, 2026

Join the GSK Manufacturing Operations Graduate Programme – UK, 2026: Help us get ahead of disease together

Education required: Bachelors or Masters in Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Science, Biomedical Engineering, Biologics & Process Technology, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Technology, IChemE accredited degrees

Language requirement: Written and spoken fluency in English

Location: Irvine

*Irvine is a penicillin manufacturing site. Please consider this if you are allergic to beta-lactam penicillin*

Expected start date: September 2026

Application Information:

*You can apply to only one GSK Graduate Programme in the UK

Application deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and this role will close once we have received enough relevant applications. We recommend you apply as soon as possible.

Assessment Centre Date: November/December 2025

See what our graduate programme participants have to say about their experiences in our GSK Graduate Programmes in the video above!

Are you a talented and driven student or graduate eager to make an impact on billions of lives? Apply for the Manufacturing Operations Programme at GSK today!

Within our Global Supply Chain (GSC) business, we manufacture and supply reliable, high-quality medicines and vaccines to meet patients’ needs and drive our performance.

Our network of 37 medicines and vaccines manufacturing sites delivered 1.7 billion packs of medicines and 409 million vaccine doses in 2024 to help make a positive impact on the health of millions of people. Our supply chain is not just core to our operations; it’s vital to bringing our innovations to patients as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible. Technology is transforming how we manufacture medicines and vaccines, enabling us to increase the speed, quality and scale of product supply.

We need the very best minds and capability to help us on our journey to make more complex products, harnessing the power of smart manufacturing technologies including robotics, digital solutions and artificial intelligence to deliver for patients.

Ahead together with tailored training and career development

Are you a talented and driven technical graduate eager to make an impact on billions of lives? GSK’s Global Supply Chain (GSC) Graduate Programme offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills, gain hands-on experience, and contribute to delivering medicines and vaccines to people worldwide.

This two-year programme is designed to prepare you for future technical, operational and engineering roles within GSK’s Global Supply Chain (GSC) within your chosen discipline.

What You’ll Experience:

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Spend time at your home site, working on cross-functional projects and rotations to deepen your expertise and knowledge of the business.
• Kaizen Assignment: A short-term breadth assignment, which could include global-focused opportunities, to expand your skills and experience beyond your home site.
• Tailored Training: Benefit from role-specific training and development, supported by a generous training budget and access to enriching resources.
• Professional & Personal Growth: Thrive in a challenging yet supportive environment, where you’ll develop technical expertise through valuable on-the-job experience

Key Programme Features:

• Digital Data & Analytics (DDA) Objective: Each rotation has a DDA focus, reflecting GSK’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, helping you to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
• Sustainability Element: Contribute to GSK’s Net Carbon Zero mission by working on impactful projects that promote environmental sustainability.
• Mentoring & Networking: Build your professional network and enhance visibility through direct access to senior leaders and mentors who will guide and support your career development

Join GSK’s GSC Graduate Programme and take the first step toward a rewarding career, where your work makes a difference to patients at the end of our supply chain.

What will you do?

• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Gain hands-on exposure to production processes, manufacturing systems, and equipment performance.
• Explore Innovative Technologies: Work with cutting-edge technologies and understand the entire pharmaceutical production lifecycle.
• Risk and Compliance: Develop understanding of risk management and compliance critical to manufacturing operations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Discover how manufacturing, quality, technical services, and supply chain functions work together to get products to our patients
• Continuous Improvement: Apply advanced problem-solving methodologies (DMAIC, Lean Six Sigma) to enhance the efficiency of manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Digital & Data Expertise: Use data-driven approaches and visualization techniques to improve decision-making and operational efficiencies.
• Process & Sustainability Improvements: Drive enhancements in safety, quality, efficiency, and sustainability through data analysis and GMP compliance projects.
• Smart Manufacturing & Business Projects: Lead initiatives to improve yield, productivity, and operational efficiency using advanced technologies.
• Drive performance excellence: Work with teams to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) that maintain high standards.

What are we looking for?

• Passion for Manufacturing: Clear enthusiasm for chemical/process engineering in the pharmaceutical industry and improving manufacturing processes.
• Technical Expertise: A relevant degree and an interest in data management and analytical technologies
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: A focus on growth, innovation with the ability to simplify complex processes, and apply innovative thinking
• Strong Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities.
• Self-Motivation: Proactive, adaptable, and eager to learn and develop.
• Attention to Detail: Analytical, organized, and process-driven
• Resilience: High adaptability and flexibility, with the ability to perform effectively under pressure.

What do we offer you?

• A competitive salary, with an annual bonus based on company performance.
• Relocation Allowance (eligibility will be confirmed once your first location is confirmed).
• Employee recognition programs, which reward exceptional achievements.
• Access to our cutting-edge wellbeing platform: personalise your experience, help reduce stress, increase focus, build connections and resilience. You will also have access to a confidential helpline 24/7, mindfulness, health screenings and financial wellbeing support.
• Access to Private Healthcare Insurance, including 24-hour access to an online GP.
• Additional Support through salary sacrifice including: identity protection, long-term care insurance, home, auto, and pet insurance.
• Option to opt into our share save plan which gives you long-term incentives by linking your rewards to our longer-term performance.
• Engage with Employee Resource Groups, providing opportunities to network, gain mentorship, and grow personally and professionally.
• Access to TalNet, which are communities of Early Careers programme participants offering development, networking and social connections to help you make the best of your programme.
• 2 volunteering days per year, called “Together Days”.
• Formal and informal technical and soft skills training and development. This is delivered through a mixture of coaching and mentoring by: senior leaders; your manager; your peers; and a mix of virtual and in-person courses.

Let’s do this!

You’ll find hints, tips and guidance on our recruitment process on our website

After submitting your application, you will be asked to complete our GSK Digital Assessment. The GSK Digital Assessment will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills through engaging exercises, while providing us with insights into your unique approach to work. This will help us better understand how your strengths, behaviors, and skills align with the role and the positive impact you could bring to our team.

• Top tip #1: Save this job description. It will be your go-to guide throughout the application process and will help you feel prepared at every stage.
• Top tip #2: Don't forget to register on our GSK insight & engagement platform to learn more about working at GSK, our culture, our worksites, and application processes.

Our Graduate Programmes are designed to accelerate the development of graduates who don’t have significant previous professional work experience in the area to which they are applying. Of course, many graduates who join the programme have worked while studying or after graduation. If you’ve already developed substantial experience working in a professional role in your sector, while you would be able to apply for this programme, you may also want to look at direct entry roles in our businesses, as these may be the best way to build on your existing skills and expertise and develop a career at GSK.

It is expected that you will be able to evidence the right to work in the UK for at least the duration of the programme.

GSK’s ability to make and honour any offer to you will be subject to the UK government immigration rules applicable at the time. Any offers will be made subject to immigration status being confirmed.

GSK cannot make any guarantee that you will be eligible for skilled worker sponsorship and GSK keeps its approach under review in line with new government guidance as it is published. Sponsorship is also based on business needs. Sponsorship cannot be considered if the candidate is not eligible for a discounted rate.

Need help with your application?

Please email us at UK.EarlyCareers@gsk.com and let us know how we can help you.

Register Your Interest

To be the first to know once applications open, register your interest today!