Level 6 - Supply Chain Leadership Apprentice Review
at AstraZeneca
Degree Apprenticeship
Data Analysis, Project Management, Supply Chain Management
Macclesfield
Review Submitted: March 2026
Overall Rating
4.6 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Where I am based in Clinical Manufacturing and Supply, I have three rotations - at present I am in my second.
Rotation 1 - Clinical Supply Associate (Pack & Label):
- Coordinating the packaging and labelling of clinical product
- Working with clinical documentation and GMP information to generate right-first-time requests to manufacturing stakeholders
- Outside of BAU activities, contributing and managing continuous improvement projects
Rotation 2 - Insights Analyst (Digital & Lean):
- Managing digital projects to provide insight and working solution to business stakeholders
- Working with AI to assist complex coding tasks
- Utilising multiple business intelligence and data product systems to build effective insights
Rotation 1 - Clinical Supply Associate (Pack & Label):
- Coordinating the packaging and labelling of clinical product
- Working with clinical documentation and GMP information to generate right-first-time requests to manufacturing stakeholders
- Outside of BAU activities, contributing and managing continuous improvement projects
Rotation 2 - Insights Analyst (Digital & Lean):
- Managing digital projects to provide insight and working solution to business stakeholders
- Working with AI to assist complex coding tasks
- Utilising multiple business intelligence and data product systems to build effective insights
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
To the fullest extent. University - while sometimes feeling totally distinct from work - provides a broader supply chain education and industry context; this allows me to build confidence in the business I am in.
The work itself and the stimulation extracted from it is to a certain extent within your own hands. Apprentices are traditionally expected to be self-starting, and this is a quality that brings great value to your work.
If you are able to identify areas for improvement or opportunities to take on projects in more operational roles - such as my first - then the cyclical nature of the corporate world is non-existent. Furthermore, if you find yourself in a project-based role - such as my second - then each day is different and learning through problem solving opportunities are boundless.
I truly believe that at AstraZeneca, you as the employee have the power to influence your own enjoyment and stimulation at work.
The work itself and the stimulation extracted from it is to a certain extent within your own hands. Apprentices are traditionally expected to be self-starting, and this is a quality that brings great value to your work.
If you are able to identify areas for improvement or opportunities to take on projects in more operational roles - such as my first - then the cyclical nature of the corporate world is non-existent. Furthermore, if you find yourself in a project-based role - such as my second - then each day is different and learning through problem solving opportunities are boundless.
I truly believe that at AstraZeneca, you as the employee have the power to influence your own enjoyment and stimulation at work.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Absolutely; being an apprentice starting aged 18, the bulk of my skills outside of the baseline soft skills and STEM understanding with which I joined have been developed throughout my program.
Notably: Gen AI and Agentic AI, Digital Data Analysis, Project Management, Supply Chain Coordination, Good Manufacturing/Documentation Practice, Stakeholder Management and more are skills I have picked up since joining. Furthermore, my soft skills have developed throughout the course too.
Notably: Gen AI and Agentic AI, Digital Data Analysis, Project Management, Supply Chain Coordination, Good Manufacturing/Documentation Practice, Stakeholder Management and more are skills I have picked up since joining. Furthermore, my soft skills have developed throughout the course too.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
Rotations and rotation timelines are clear, University course structure is well explained and clear too
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
There is an apprentice point of contact within the business. Furthermore there is an apprenticeship sponsor in the department LT level (CEO -4), and at a CEO -3 Level .
On top of this, apprentices are assigned a buddy, mentor (role specific), have close contact with their line managers and a relocation buddy (if relocating)
On top of this, apprentices are assigned a buddy, mentor (role specific), have close contact with their line managers and a relocation buddy (if relocating)
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Support is made available, cohort sizes are typically 60+ and thus more tailored support needs to be chased and found as an independent decision from the apprentice.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
It provides a great supply chain context, but the bulk of my learning has been from being hands-on in the business itself.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Many social societies as well as employee resource groups. It is common to see informal, recurring events such as run-clubs, quiz-teams and 5-a-side appearing. It is just down to the individual and what they would like to get involved with and with whom.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
Yes
Why?
As said earlier in the review, everything from the support to the flexibility is brilliant. It is the largest company in the UK and one which does not disappoint when you are on the inside - it very much feels like you are a part of something huge.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?
Experience's and education will be half of what gets you hired, how you can elaborate on this and apply this to the company direction and values it what will push you over the line.
Process industry manufacturing apprentice
at AstraZeneca
- Level 3 Apprenticeship
- Charter Way, Macclesfield SK10 2NA, UK
-
4.3
