Procurement and Supply Assistant (Level 3) apprentice
Asymchem is looking to recruit a Procurement and Supply Assistant apprentice. You will help support procurement operations including assisting with sourcing materials, managing supplier relationships, processing purchase orders, and other key purchasing activities ensuring compliance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and regulatory standards.
Qualification Requirements
You will need to have or are expecting to achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs or the equivalent at Grades A*-C (9-4)
A-Levels would be an advantage
Salary - £18,000per annum
Benefits
- Holiday Allowance- 25 Days Holiday Allowance, plus Bank Holidays
- Pension- Employee 5%, Employer 3%
- Discount schemes
- Eyecare
- Employee assistance programme
- Onsite parking
- Onsite canteen
- Employee recognition / awards
Location - Discovery Park House, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9NJ
Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm with 45 minute lunch break.
Duration - 20 months
Start Date - October 2026
Interview Date - September 2026
Closing Date for Applications - 26th August 2026
To Apply
To apply, please click the Apply Now button and complete the form. Once you submit, you will receive an email to verify your email address that will then submit your application to us. If you do not receive an email confirming your application, please check with us that this has been submitted.
If you are having difficulty in completing this, please contact recruitment on recruitment@cogentskills.com for assistance
Job Description
To support procurement operations at the Sandwich site, a regulated pharmaceutical laboratory and manufacturing environment. Assisting with sourcing materials, managing supplier relationships, processing purchase orders, and other key purchasing activities ensuring compliance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and regulatory standards. Working closely with procurement, quality assurance, production teams, and warehouse/logistics staff to help maintain a reliable, efficient, and cost‑effective supply of goods and services.
Job Responsibilities
1. Purchasing and Sourcing:
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Assist with sourcing raw materials, solvents, production consumables, and indirect goods required for pharmaceutical manufacturing
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Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations to support cost-analysis activities and decisions ensuring best value, quality, and delivery timelines
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Support negotiations for pricing, delivery timelines, and contract terms under supervision
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Prepare and process purchase orders while ensuring accuracy and adherence to internal procedures
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Track order status and follow up with suppliers to resolve delays or discrepancies to ensure on‑time delivery
2. Inventory and Material Planning:
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Support inventory monitoring to ensure adequate stock levels for production schedules
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Assist in reviewing usage reports and contribute to forecasting material demand
3. Supplier Relationship Management:
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Communicate with suppliers to obtain pricing, product information, delivery schedules, and order confirmations
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Assist in tracking supplier performance metrics such as quality, reliability, and delivery accuracy
4. Compliance and Documentation:
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Help maintain accurate supplier records, certifications, and compliance documentation
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Support supplier and material qualification processes
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Maintain audit-ready documentation for procurement transactions and supplier management
5. Continuous Improvement:
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Contribute to cost-saving initiatives and process improvements activities within procurement
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Support data analysis, reporting and KPI tracking for procurement activities
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
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Liaise with warehouse/logistics to reconcile deliveries and obtain associated documentation
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Consult with production team to understand demand, project requirements, and material specifications
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Support finance with invoice matching, discrepancy resolution, budget tracking, and other procure-to-pay processes
Candidate Requirements
Desired skills
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Strong attention to detail and ability to manage documentation accurately
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Good communication and interpersonal skills
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Problem-solving mindset with willingness to learn
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Competent in prioritising tasks and manage time effectively
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Ability to work in a regulated environment and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Personal Qualities
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Confident to work with minimal supervision
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Reliable, consistent, good timekeeper and calm under pressure
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Inquisitive, good people person willing to listen and act on information being relayed
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Enthusiastic and dynamic
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Proactive and asks questions
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Ability to drive your own professional development and not be a passenger
Training To Be Delivered
Qualification to be delivered: CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations
Apprenticeship Standard: Procurement & Supply Assistant Level 3
Training Provider: CIPS
Delivery model: Online
Future Prospects
Should there be relevant positions available at the completion of the apprenticeship then the successful applicants will be invited to apply for the vacancies
Things To Be Considered
If commuting by public transport, buses come to site, but the train station is a 30 walk
About Asymchem Ltd
Founded in 1999, Asymchem is a global integrated Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) providing drug R&D and manufacturing for leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Asymchem currently operates eight manufacturing facilities offering solutions ranging from early clinical stage to commercial stage, including R&D, cGMP production of advanced intermediates, APIs, formulations, and clinical research services. Asymchem Group, headquartered in Tianjin, P. R. China.
The Asymchem Sandwich Pilot Plant Facility, located in Sandwich, Kent, is a cutting-edge hub for pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Purpose built as a dedicated in house clinical manufacturing facility the Pilot Plant is now operated by Asymchem Laboratories supporting our clients across their products’ lifecycle. It specializes in small molecule API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) manufacturing supporting early phase development, clinical and commercial demands. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, the Sandwich Pilot Plant is a flexible facility equipped with advanced capabilities that is lead and operated by a team of highly experienced pharmaceutical professionals with demonstrated expertise in delivering molecules to market.