Pharmaceutical Production Operative Apprentice (Level 3) - Piramal Pharma Solutions

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Science Manufacturing Technician L3

Location: Whalton Road, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 3YA

Working for Piramal Pharma Solutions

Piramal Pharma Solutions is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), offering end-to-end development and manufacturing solutions across the drug life cycle. We serve our clients through a globally integrated network of facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.

This enables us to offer a comprehensive range of services including Drug Discovery Solutions, Process & Pharmaceutical Development services, Clinical Trial Supplies, Commercial supply of APIs and Finished dosage forms. We also offer specialized services like development and manufacture of Highly Potent APIs and Antibody Drug Conjugation.

The Package

• Starting salary of £15,165 (£8.33 per hour), increasing to National Minimum/Living wage after 12 months if applicable
• 37.5 hours per week (35 hours worked, as this is inclusive of a 30 minute paid lunch break)
• Monday to Thursday, 7:00am - 3:00pm; Friday, 7:00am - 12:00pm
• Annual Leave
• Company Pension Scheme

What will I be doing as a Pharmaceutical Production Operative Apprentice?

As a Pharmaceutical Production Operative Apprentice, you will follow a structured development path to become a fully competent Pharm Operator. This hands-on role will provide you with progressive responsibility for setting up, operating, cleaning, and performing changeovers on key pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, including fluid bed granulation, wet granulation, milling, blending, compression, and coating machines. You will gain in-depth knowledge and practical experience operating to high quality standards, aligned with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), internal protocols, and safety guidelines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Training and Development: Participate in structured training programs to build proficiency across all areas of pharmaceutical production. Learn and apply Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and all relevant safety requirements. Gain hands-on experience using LEAN manufacturing tools to support continuous improvement (CI) initiatives. Work alongside experienced operators to understand correct equipment setup and the importance of adhering to product specifications for robust quality.
• Operational Support: Assist with the setup, cleaning, and basic maintenance of equipment in key areas, including: Dispensary/Sieving, Granulation, Compression (multiple machine types), Coating. Support early diagnosis and escalation of technical or quality-related issues. Gain experience using SAP and other digital systems for operational support.
• Quality and Compliance: Understand and uphold all quality assurance and safety standards. Accurately complete required documentation in compliance with GMP. Report deviations, faults, or equipment concerns promptly to ensure compliance and performance.
• Continuous Improvement: Participate in lean manufacturing initiatives and continuous improvement projects. Contribute to root cause analysis and problem-solving for quality or technical challenges.

What could the future look like?

As a Pharmaceutical Production Operative Apprentice, your journey marks the beginning of a dynamic and rewarding career in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Through structured, hands-on training, you will gain the technical skills needed to operate highly specialised equipment used in the production of life-changing medicines — all while adhering to strict quality, safety, and regulatory standards.

In this role, you will play a vital part in ensuring the consistency, accuracy, and safety of pharmaceutical products. You will learn to set up, operate, clean, and carry out changeovers on advanced manufacturing equipment including fluid bed granulators, mills, blenders, tablet presses, and coaters. You will also develop an understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and LEAN methodologies to support continuous improvement initiatives.

As your skills and confidence grow, you will take greater responsibility in areas such as diagnosing technical issues, supporting process improvements, and ensuring product quality through precise documentation and inspections. You will work closely with experienced professionals who will guide you in best practices and provide opportunities for knowledge sharing.

Over time, this apprenticeship can lead to a full-time position and open doors to more advanced technical roles or team leadership. You may choose to specialise in key manufacturing processes, quality control, or even continuous improvement and operational excellence — helping to drive innovation, compliance, and efficiency across the business.

With commitment and a drive to succeed, there’s no limit to what you can achieve in this field. This apprenticeship offers a solid foundation for long-term progression in the pharmaceutical sector, giving you the skills and experience to build a stable and meaningful career in an industry that truly makes a difference.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

What will you bring?

About You

We’re looking for someone enthusiastic about building a career in pharmaceutical manufacturing — someone who’s hands-on, eager to learn, and ready to work in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment. This is a practical, process-driven role that requires attention to detail, a focus on quality, and a strong commitment to safety.

You should have a basic technical aptitude and a real willingness to learn how complex machinery works. Good communication and teamwork skills are key, as you’ll be working closely with experienced operators to ensure smooth and efficient production. The ability to follow written procedures precisely and maintain accurate records is essential in ensuring compliance with industry standards.

If you’re someone who takes pride in doing things properly, enjoys working with your hands, and thrives in a clean, organised environment, this could be the perfect opportunity to launch your career in the pharmaceutical sector.

Please note: Due to the nature of this position, applicants must be 18+

Experience

While previous experience in a manufacturing or production environment is helpful, it’s not essential. What matters most is your attitude — if you’re motivated, reliable, and ready to learn, we’ll give you the tools and support to succeed. Any experience with tools, machinery, or technical equipment will be a bonus.

Qualifications

We value your enthusiasm and potential more than formal qualifications. If you’re passionate about pharmaceuticals, detail-oriented, and excited to develop new skills, we want to hear from you. This apprenticeship is your chance to grow into a highly skilled operator with a future in a vital, life-changing industry.

Even if this doesn’t sound like a perfect match, but you think you’d be a great fit, get in touch! We’re always happy to hear from driven individuals who want to make a difference.

So how does the apprenticeship work?

Over 24 months, you’ll devote a minimum of 6 hours of your working week on ‘off the job’ training. This can include theory training (for example, virtual lessons & online learning), alongside practical training (for example shadowing, mentoring, & time spent writing assignments). Together this will count towards a Level 3 Science Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship. You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at Piramal who together, will make sure you develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits you’ll need to succeed in your career.

Being an apprentice is hands-on, so you’ll get the chance to learn things you might otherwise not have experienced in a university or college environment.

The best part? You’ll be earning a salary while you gain your qualifications, meaning no huge student loans to pay back at the end of the programme!

Eligibility

While we never want to hinder your job application process with obstacles, there are some minimum requirements you’ll need to meet in order to do an apprenticeship, these are rules set by the UK Government.

As a training provider, we are committed to ensuring that our apprenticeship programs deliver significant new knowledge and skills. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that the program will provide learning and experiences beyond their current qualifications and professional expertise.

If you already hold a Level 3, degree or equivalent higher-level qualification in a closely related field, or possess substantial relevant experience, you may not be eligible for apprenticeship funding, as these programmes are designed for individuals who require upskilling or reskilling in their chosen career pathway.

You’ll need to be over 18, not in full time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK.

If you don’t quite meet these minimum requirements yet, let us know you’re interested here and we’ll get in touch to discuss this further with you.