Business Administration apprentice (GWE) - Pfizer

Introduction

An opportunity has arisen for a Business Administration Apprentice to join the Global Workplace Experience (GWE) Global Business Performance Team, based at Sandwich. This role provides administrative, purchase-to-pay and financial management support to operational and functional teams across GWE sites in the Europe, Middle East and Africa.

About the Employer

As the specialists in skills for science and technology, our purpose is to make sure your business; your people and our industry are future ready. We are a not-for-profit charitable organisation with a family of commercially focused companies committed to supporting the skills, needs and ambitions across the UK science and technology sector.

What You'll Do

An opportunity has arisen for a Business Administration Apprentice to join the Global Workplace Experience (GWE) Global Business Performance Team, based at Sandwich. This role provides administrative, purchase-to-pay and financial management support to operational and functional teams across GWE sites in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

The apprentice will support the team in managing purchasing activity against operating budgets, helping to raise, monitor, manage and close purchase orders in line with Pfizer policies and procedures. The role also supports resolution of invoice holds and payment processing issues, while developing knowledge of purchase-to-pay processes, financial controls, supplier engagement, data analysis and continuous improvement.

Purpose of the Role

The purpose of the role is to provide practical administrative and operational support to the GWE Global Business Performance Team while undertaking a structured apprenticeship programme. The apprentice will build capability in business administration, finance administration, purchasing systems, stakeholder communication and process improvement, contributing to the effective delivery of budget management and operational support services across GWE EMEA.

Key Responsibilities

• Support purchase request and requisition processes, ensuring information is complete, accurate and compliant.
• Raise purchase requisitions in ARIBA and help track purchase orders, invoices and approvals through to closure.
• Assist with vendor maintenance, supplier queries, invoice holds and payment issue resolution.
• Maintain accurate records and support governance, audit and Pfizer policy requirements.
• Work with GWE colleagues, Procurement, Finance, suppliers and site teams to resolve queries and keep activity moving.
• Use purchasing and invoice data to identify issues, trends and opportunities for process improvement.
• Provide wider team administration support, including meetings, actions, travel, expenses, reporting and ad hoc projects.

Scope of Apprenticeship

The apprentice will provide daily support to the Global Business Performance Team and will gradually develop confidence in managing purchase request, purchase requisition, vendor maintenance, invoice hold and payment query processes. The role will involve working with internal and external partners, including GWE colleagues, Procurement, Finance, suppliers and site-based stakeholders.

Activities will be completed in line with Pfizer policies and procedures, including relevant governance, audit and compliance requirements. The apprentice will receive training in Microsoft Office applications and purchase-to-pay systems such as ARIBA and SAP, with opportunities to shadow colleagues and build understanding of wider GWE EMEA operations.

Learning and Development Opportunities

• Develop practical experience in business administration within a global corporate environment.
• Build knowledge of purchase-to-pay processes, supplier onboarding, purchase orders, invoice management and financial controls.
• Gain exposure to budget management, forecasting, variance reporting and operational performance tracking.
• Strengthen communication, stakeholder management and customer-facing skills through regular interaction with internal and external partners.
• Improve data handling, problem-solving, prioritisation and process improvement capability.
• Develop confidence using Microsoft Office, ARIBA, SAP and other business systems used by the team.
• Learn from experienced colleagues through coaching, shadowing and participation in team activities and projects.

Training Outcome

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be eligible to apply for other positions within the business.

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative

Qualifications

• Essential - GCSE - 5 GCSE's including Maths and English - 4/C or above
• Desired - A Level - At least 2 A-Levels - minimum 80 UCAS points

Course Information

Course: Business administrator (level 3)

Level: 3

Route: Business and administration

Apprenticeship Level: Advanced

Working Arrangements

Working Week: Monday to Thursday, 9am – 5.25pm. Fridays, 9am – 4.05pm 12pm - 12.45pm lunch break

Expected Duration: 1 Year 6 Months

Training Provider: BPP UNIVERSITY LIMITED

This employer is part of the Disability Confident scheme, committed to employing disabled people.