Cogent Skills
Business Administration apprentice (GWE) - Pfizer

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Business Administration Apprentice
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.
Qualification Requirements
- 5 GCSEs at grades C/4 or above (or equivalent) including Mathematics and English.
- A-Level qualifications are desirable.
Salary
- £16,890 per annum
Benefits
- Holiday Allowance - 25.5 Days Holiday Allowance, plus Bank Holidays
- Pension - Employee 5%, Employer 3%
- Flexible Working Hours
- Casual Dress
- Discount Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Onsite Canteen
- Onsite Parking
- Employee Recognition/Awards
Location
- Pfizer Ltd, Discovery Park House, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9NJ
Working Hours
- Monday to Thursday, 9am – 5.25pm. Fridays, 9am – 4.05pm
- 12pm - 12.45pm lunch break
Duration
- 18 months
Start Date
- 1st September 2026
Interview Date
- The Assessment Centre for this position will be on the week commencing August 17th 2026
Closing Date for Applications
- 4th 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
Overview
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.
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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.
Candidate Requirements
Skills
- Interest in business administration, finance administration, purchasing processes and operational support.
- Good communication skills, including verbal and written communication, with a professional approach to email and telephone contact.
- Strong organisation and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
- Willingness to learn, ask questions and develop a good understanding of business processes and systems.
- Methodical approach to problem solving, with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and build positive relationships with colleagues at all levels.
- Flexible and adaptable approach, with the ability to respond to changing workload requirements.
- Confidence using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.


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Personal Qualities
- Hard-working.
- Ability to solve problems, interact with others and manage a varied workload.
- Is self-motivated to achieve high quality results within defined timeframes.
- Attention to detail.
- Has good organisational, interpersonal and communication skills.
- Positive attitude, strong work ethic and commitment to personal development throughout the apprenticeship.
Training To Be Delivered
- Qualification to be delivered: Level 3 Business Administrator
- Apprenticeship Standard: Business Administrator
- Training Provider: BPP
- Delivery model: Training for this apprenticeship will be delivered online
Future Prospects
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be eligible to apply for other positions within the business.
Things To Be Considered
- The apprentice must be able to demonstrate the required attitudes, behaviours and interpersonal skills associated with the professional workplace.
- The apprentice must be willing to commit an amount of personal time to study.
- Please ensure you check out travel options to be able to commute to the workplace.
About Pfizer
You’re the future. Your ambition, talents, ideas and unique way of looking at the world will help us drive innovation in every part of our business.
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time.
We need people with a hugely diverse range of talents. “Love Science? Want to work on the business side? Get stuck into an apprenticeship to launch your career.
Pfizer’s apprenticeship scheme, run in partnership with Cogent Skills, offers the best of both worlds. You’ll work with world-leaders in your field, from researchers to business gurus. You’ll study towards a nationally recognised academic or professional qualification. And all the time, you’ll be earning a highly competitive salary.
Looking for an alternative to college or university, where you can earn while you learn, and build experience with a global leader? Find it at Pfizer.
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