Production Apprentice (16456)

THORNTON & ROSS LIMITED

Linthwaite Nr Huddersfield (HD7 5QH)

Closes in 21 days (Friday 18 September 2026)

Posted on 28 August 2026

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Summary

The Production Apprentice role is designed as an entry point into a career within manufacturing. The apprentice will work hands-on within the production environment, gaining practical experience, developing core behaviours, and building the foundations for future progression within manufacturing in a GMP environment.

• Wage:

  £17,500 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Starting salary of £17,500 – this will be reviewed regularly in line with your progress through your apprenticeship

• Training course: Process leader (level 4)
• Hours: Monday to Friday, hours to rotate on shifts operating between 06.00 and 22.00.

  38 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 5 October 2026

• 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

The Production Apprentice role is designed as an entry point into a career within manufacturing. The apprentice will work hands-on within the production environment, gaining practical experience, developing core behaviours, and building the foundations for future progression within manufacturing.

This role provides real shop-floor exposure in a GMP environment and is focused on developing motivated individuals with the potential to grow into future operational or leadership roles in production.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Supporting day-to-day production activities on the shop floor
• Learning and consistently applying GMP, health & safety and quality standards
• Assisting with operating production equipment under supervision
• Following standard operating procedures (SOPs) accurately
• Developing an understanding of manufacturing processes and workflows
• Supporting continuous improvement and change initiatives
• Taking ownership of assigned tasks and contributing as part of a production team

Where you'll work

Linthwaite Nr Huddersfield
HD7 5QH

Training

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

Training provider

COGENT SSC LIMITED

Training course

Process leader (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Undertake and direct production activities and operations.
• Propose, undertake, manage and coordinate changes to the product, production operations, processes and equipment, to improve productivity, efficiency, quality and sustainability.
• Solve problems - predict and prevent failures through the analysis of data and information.
• Manage resources effectively to ensure their availability and the efficient running of department in line with organisational procedures.
• Deliver cost achievements against budget targets.
• Plan resources to support variations in production schedules.
• Use KPIs as the basis of the continuous improvement cycle for quality, cost and volume achievement using lean operational and product improvement techniques.
• Undertake and manage quality resolutions as well as volume problem resolution.
• Manage health, safety and the environment within area of responsibility, ensuring staff are compliant with all requirements and driving improvements.
• Conduct workplace risk assessments, manage near-miss or similar processes, conduct investigations as necessary.
• Use project management tools to plan, organise and manage resources, to monitor progress, identify risks and mitigation.
• Recruit the right people into the right job.
• Develop, build and motivate teams by identifying strengths and enabling training and development within the workplace.
• Recognise excellence, effectively manage performance, discipline, attendance, grievance.
• Manage industrial relations and equality and diversity.
• Support development through coaching and mentoring.
• Leading and communicating the management of change.
• Provide clear direction and leadership, giving open and honest feedback. Apply and adapt own leadership style to different production situations and people.
• Delegate and enable delivery though others.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across different disciplines. Negotiate and influence. Manages conflict.
• Identify and share good practice, work collaboratively.
• Utilise specialist advice and support to deliver plans.
• Communicate effectively (verbal, non-verbal, written, digital) in manner relevant to the target audience.
• Chair meetings and present (formally and informally) using a range of media. Listen actively, challenge, give feedback.
• Analyse data/information to compellingly and succinctly present information to drive management decisions.
• Undertake and direct production activities and operations.
• Propose, undertake, manage and coordinate changes to the product, production operations, processes and equipment, to improve productivity, efficiency, quality and sustainability.
• Solve problems - predict and prevent failures through the analysis of data and information.
• Manage resources effectively to ensure their availability and the efficient running of department in line with organisational procedures.
• Deliver cost achievements against budget targets.
• Plan resources to support variations in production schedules.
• Use KPIs as the basis of the continuous improvement cycle for quality, cost and volume achievement using lean operational and product improvement techniques.
• Undertake and manage quality resolutions as well as volume problem resolution.
• Manage health, safety and the environment within area of responsibility, ensuring staff are compliant with all requirements and driving improvements.
• Conduct workplace risk assessments, manage near-miss or similar processes, conduct investigations as necessary.
• Use project management tools to plan, organise and manage resources, to monitor progress, identify risks and mitigation.
• Recruit the right people into the right job.
• Develop, build and motivate teams by identifying strengths and enabling training and development within the workplace.
• Recognise excellence, effectively manage performance, discipline, attendance, grievance.
• Manage industrial relations and equality and diversity.
• Support development through coaching and mentoring.
• Leading and communicating the management of change.
• Provide clear direction and leadership, giving open and honest feedback. Apply and adapt own leadership style to different production situations and people.
• Delegate and enable delivery though others.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across different disciplines. Negotiate and influence. Manages conflict.
• Identify and share good practice, work collaboratively.
• Utilise specialist advice and support to deliver plans.
• Communicate effectively (verbal, non-verbal, written, digital) in manner relevant to the target audience.
• Chair meetings and present (formally and informally) using a range of media. Listen actively, challenge, give feedback.
• Analyse data/information to compellingly and succinctly present information to drive management decisions.

Training schedule

The Process Leader Level 4 course will be provided by Cogent, approximately 1 day per week at college, remotely delivered on our site at Linthwaite.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Mathematics (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted 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
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Physical fitness
• Motivated, Reliable, Committed

Other requirements

What We Are Looking For

• A strong level of motivation, reliability and commitment
• Interest in manufacturing, production or engineering environments
• A hands-on, practical approach to work
• Willingness to learn, adapt and positively embrace change
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment
• Good attention to detail and a responsible attitude
• Educated to a minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent), including Maths and English at grade C/4 or above

About this employer

STADA Thornton & Ross is one of UK's fastest-growing producers of consumer healthcare products including Covonia, Savlon, Nizoral, Cetraben and Zoflora. Our Specialty and Generic medicines also address therapeutic areas including dermatology, bone health, kidney disease and more. With more than 700 employees, we’re proud that our growth journey is supporting Britain’s wellbeing in multiple settings, including consumer healthcare, hospital, primary care, pharmacy and homecare. Our mission is Caring for People’s Health as a Trusted Partner, and we’re always looking out for talented people to join our team and support our exciting growth plan.

https://www.thorntonross.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme offering 6% employer contribution
• Opportunity to engage in our Early Careers Programme 
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• On-site subsidised canteen
• Health benefits via Medicash Health Cash Plan
• Free winter flu vaccination
• Wellbeing support 
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Enhanced Family Leave
• Additional employee benefits & engagement events

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

This role provides real shop-floor exposure in a GMP environment and is focused on developing motivated individuals with the potential to grow into future operational or leadership roles in production.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COGENT SSC LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000050726.

Apply now

Closes in 21 days (Friday 18 September 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.