Level 3 Process Industry Manufacturing Technician Apprentice

AstraZeneca; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company in Macclesfield seeks a Level 3 Process Industry Manufacturing Technician Apprentice. This apprenticeship combines practical on-the-job training with education, allowing you to gain skills in manufacturing processes and quality checks. You will work in a supportive environment with industry professionals, achieving a Level 4 qualification while earning a salary. The role offers competitive pay and a benefits fund, with opportunities for growth and development within the company.

Benefits

11% benefits fund

Bonus opportunities

Relocation package

Responsibilities

• Deliver required production demand for pharmaceutical products
• Operate manufacturing equipment and perform quality checks
• Use Lean manufacturing tools

Skills

Good communication & team working skills

High organisational skills

Logical thinking

Problem solving

High numeracy and literacy skills

Self-motivated

Education

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

Minimum of 1 A level at Grade C (32 UCAS points) or equivalent

Job description

Level 3 Process Industry Manufacturing Technician Apprentice

Location: Macclesfield, UK

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

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. We are deeply committed to our strategy of being a great place to work, fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone can be part of a curious mind community.

About the Apprenticeship Programme

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

• Delivering required production demand for a number of pharmaceutical products.
• Operating 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 at the Macclesfield Site: the Global Packaging centre of excellence and the Sterile Parenteral Manufacturing Area. These are highly regulated environments where medicines are produced and packed for patients. Due to the nature of the regulated working environment, you will receive training on how to dress and operate safely and efficiently.

Working Hours

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

• Day pattern: 6 am to 1:40 pm Monday–Thursday and 6 am to 12 noon Friday.
• Shift pattern: 1:30 pm to 9:10 pm Monday–Thursday and 12 noon to 6 pm Friday.

Apprentices are not required to support weekend work, but some aspects may be planned as part of the apprenticeship to support learning experience. Shift working receives additional payments dependent on the shift pattern worked.

Training and Development

AstraZeneca will sponsor you through your Level 4 Process Industry Manufacturing Technician qualification via Cogent. The apprenticeship combines working, earning a full‑time salary, with fully funded part‑time learning (average 1 day per week). This will allow you to achieve a Level 4 Process Industry Manufacturing Technician qualification, with the advantage of gaining relevant work‑life skills and contributing to the development of new medicines.

Skills and Capabilities

• Good communication & team working skills.
• High organisational skills and confidence to work independently.
• Logical thinking 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 1 A level at Grade C (32 UCAS points) or equivalent at Grade C.

Benefits and Dates

3‑year fixed‑term contract based at Macclesfield with starting base salary of £24,570 + 11% benefits fund + bonus. Relocation package available for candidates who currently live more than 60 minutes from the site.

Opening date: 12 January 2026

Closing date: 15 February 2026

Start date for apprenticeship: 7 September 2026

Equal Opportunities

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry‑leading skills. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non‑discrimination in employment, as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.

These positions are not open to those already educated to Bachelor degree level or above – for which we have specific Graduate Programmes. For more details see https://careers.astrazeneca.com/students.

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