Business Apprentice (Inventory & Product Lifecycle Analyst)

Summary

Do you love data and problem solving? Be trained to contribute in the creation of accurate product master data in a timely manner. Work with sales and marketing, the role holder will ensure data is maintained to allow customers to receive what they are expecting in the desired timeframe, particularly for point-of-sale promotional products.

Wage

£18,000 a year

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Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 15 September 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Major tasks and responsibilities

Product Lifecycle

Process new product creation requests, capturing data within the internal
Capture and update product information repository with all product-related data requested by commercial teams, customers and regulatory authorities
Review packaging, ensuring that barcodes can be scanned and accurately reflect the contents within the pack
Maintain product master data within SAP, ensuring customer orders can be processed without failure
Create master data forms for the UK and Ireland warehouses, ensuring that they can accurately receive and process orders for Bayer inventory without delay
Review data and information provided by the warehouses upon first receipt of a product to ensure local records and SAP are accurate and reflect the reality of the received product

Inventory Management

Responsible for resolving inventory quantity differences between systems in Bayer and at the respective warehouse, posting stock differences where required
Responsible for stock management activities, including recording of inventory identified as unsaleable
Working closely with the Order to Cash team, record, investigate and resolve delivery issues highlighted by the customer or the warehouse
Oversea receipt of stock into the respective warehouse, raising additional documentation as required
Responsible for managing the shared email inbox, allocating tasks to other team members to ensure that they are completed
Responsible for managing inventory stored in the office
Support the Customs Compliance Officer with document checking and filing

General

Complete training, implement and adhere to all compliance standards and policies
Ensure agreed KPIs and deadlines are met with a focus on the customers
Engage in continuous process improvement and innovative solutions to maximise contribution to the business and enhance customer satisfaction
Be agile in response to changing situations to ensure effective business continuity
Support members of the team as required

Where you'll work

400 South Oak Way
Reading
Berkshire
RG2 6AD

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

WEST BERKSHIRE TRAINING CONSORTIUM

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

The apprentice will work towards the Business Administrator Level 3 Standard
Training is blended - a combination of in-person group training at WBTC one day a month, guided self-study and 1-1 training and review meetings

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4 or C)
maths (grade 4 or C)

Desirable qualifications

A Level or equivalent in:

Any (grade Any)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Multi Task
Work independently
Confidentiality
Time Management
Integrity
Excel

Other requirements

Bayer are keen to consider candidates who have achieved a Level 3 or who are currently working towards a Level 3 qualification (A Level or BTEC), due to complete this summer. Bayer offers hybrid working. The apprentice will be expected to work a mix of both working from the Bayer Reading office and from home. This will be set in line with their team and business requirements. Applicants are required to live within a 40-minute commute to Green Park, Reading. Candidates must be available for interviews in late July 2025 and if successful, be able to start their new role 15th September 2025

About this company

Bayer is a Life Science company with a more than 150-year history and core competencies in the areas of healthcare and agriculture. With our innovative and sustainable products, we are contributing to finding solutions to some of the major challenges of our time. We bring together our people, partners and customers, placing innovation, sustainability and digital transformation at the heart of everything we do. Our products and solutions help us to deliver our vision of 'health for all, hunger for none'.

https://www.bayer.co.uk/en/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Onsite parking; Private healthcare and pension contribution; Early Careers Development Programme

After this apprenticeship

Bayer Plc will provide you with a solid foundation at the beginning of your journey for a rewarding and lasting career. We believe that everyone working at Bayer has the potential to progress and you will be supported by our commitment to your ongoing training and further development.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WEST BERKSHIRE TRAINING CONSORTIUM

Rachel Eaves

rachel@wbtc-uk.com

07922 426414

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000326739.

Apply now

Closes in 24 days (Sunday 13 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

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