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

Next Steps

Successful candidates will be progressed to a one way video interview, invites will be sent via email.

The video interview will be reviewed by the Hiring Manager

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:

Assist with sourcing raw materials, solvents, production consumables, and indirect goods required for pharmaceutical manufacturing
Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations to support cost-analysis activities and decisions ensuring best value, quality, and delivery timelines
Support negotiations for pricing, delivery timelines, and contract terms under supervision
Prepare and process purchase orders while ensuring accuracy and adherence to internal procedures
Track order status and follow up with suppliers to resolve delays or discrepancies to ensure on‑time delivery

2. Inventory and Material Planning:

Support inventory monitoring to ensure adequate stock levels for production schedules
Assist in reviewing usage reports and contribute to forecasting material demand

3. Supplier Relationship Management:

Communicate with suppliers to obtain pricing, product information, delivery schedules, and order confirmations
Assist in tracking supplier performance metrics such as quality, reliability, and delivery accuracy

4. Compliance and Documentation:

Help maintain accurate supplier records, certifications, and compliance documentation
Support supplier and material qualification processes
Maintain audit-ready documentation for procurement transactions and supplier management

5. Continuous Improvement:

Contribute to cost-saving initiatives and process improvements activities within procurement
Support data analysis, reporting and KPI tracking for procurement activities

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Liaise with warehouse/logistics to reconcile deliveries and obtain associated documentation
Consult with production team to understand demand, project requirements, and material specifications
Support finance with invoice matching, discrepancy resolution, budget tracking, and other procure-to-pay processes

Candidate Requirements

Desired skills

Strong attention to detail and ability to manage documentation accurately
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Problem-solving mindset with willingness to learn
Competent in prioritising tasks and manage time effectively
Ability to work in a regulated environment and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Personal Qualities

Confident to work with minimal supervision
Reliable, consistent, good timekeeper and calm under pressure
Inquisitive, good people person willing to listen and act on information being relayed
Enthusiastic and dynamic
Proactive and asks questions
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.

Procurement and Supply Assistant (Level 3) apprentice - Asymchem Ltd