Business and supply chain apprentice / Material Scheduler Review

I am currently in my first rotation as a material scheduler. I order in the components for GSK's respiratory products ensuring the components are on site both in full and on time to meet production needs. On a day to day basis I will talk to suppliers and my fellow schedulers on site to ensure the production schedule that is being created is realistic but I will also be working on any pack changes that occur in the business such as the labels changing I will be part of that change control.

I have learnt new skills in communication not with the people around you but how to communicate professionally with suppliers. I have also developed on my existing skills of resilience as the supply chain isn't always going to go right first time so it is key to ensure that you are part of the solution rather then dwelling on the problem.

I massively enjoy my programme. Although the very beginning can be quite slow and static especially if its your first time working in pharmaceuticals as there is so many standard operating procedures you have to follow as you are part of a healthcare company providing critical medicines world wide. However once you get past all that and you're comfortable in your role it is amazing how welcoming everyone is on site and you do really feel like you are making a difference to the patient at the end of the supply chain.

I would say the structure is fairly good but some of the rotations are potentially moving around which I am not aware of. So the only unstable structure I see within the apprenticeship is you never really know when your next rotation is or what exactly the rotation might contain and so on.

GSK are an amazing employer for support whether this be personal problems or problems at work. GSK offer healthcare for employees so you can rest assured if you encounter a personal problem but my manager in particular is always there for me and I wouldn't change a single thing about how she approaches me and always ensures my well being is of top priority on her list!

With my training qualification I work very closely with a university tutor who helps me gain my qualification. My university tutor always has my best interest in his interest and is always there for contact if I am ever struggling with my course or qualification. I have strict deadlines to follow to ensure I am always on track and again I can always speak with my tutor in order to see where I am going wrong in a 1 on 1 which proves really helpful.

I massively believe that my qualification helps me perform at a higher level in my role. My qualification is all about the supply chain and businesses and learning how different businesses adopt different strategies in order to provide the best product/service first time. Within my organisation GSK I can see examples already from my qualification that are relevant to GSK such as making the processes at the production sites as lean as possible in order to speed up production. Furthermore my qualification highlights getting quality right first time and all the quality gurus and with GSK's motto being to get the product right first time this goes hand in hand perfectly.

GSK offer lots of extra-curricular activates. For example at my site they have a sports and social club which offers a wide range of sports from rock climbing all the way to darts club, chess club and so on. Furthermore there are always networking events especially for the apprentices to meet each other whether this be outward bound where all the apprentices world wide come together in the lake district for a week of activities and team bonding. GSK offer a really good opportunity to meet not just your own site apprentices and staff but they encourage you to broaden your network across sites too!

Yes

GSK offer a competitive salary and are a industry leading company which is why the benefits of being part of GSK such as the share plan or flexible working are just one example of why GSK is an amazing employer. GSK always have you as the center of attention as an apprentice, you are not just given the bad jobs you are given important jobs that are business critical so the responsibility is massive which I love!

Just be honest and true to yourself as GSK are looking for someone not with the best grades but someone who can be moulded into the perfect apprentice. So don't try make yourself out to be someone your not and GSK will know if you are being yourself. It will only benefit you in the long run too if you are honest with yourself as your be able to see if GSK is the place for you!