Job vacancy: Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist - Secondment Cover, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Southend on Sea

Job summary

Main area: Pharmacy
Grade: Band 8c
Contract: 6 months (Fixed term post ending 1st April 2026)
Hours: 7.5 hours per week (Part time - 7.5hrs per week)
Job ref: 390-CSS-SOU-9871-A

Employer: Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Southend
Town: Southend on Sea
Salary: £76,965 Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 18/11/2025 23:59

Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist - Secondment Cover

Band 8c

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Are you looking for an exciting Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist role using your unique qualities, then we want to hear from you.

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

We look forward to your application.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician (Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council)
MPharm or BSc in Pharmacy or BTEC in pharmaceutical services or Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills and the Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science
Post-graduate pharmacy qualification or equivalent extensive experience and specialist knowledge in the area of practice

Desirable criteria

Post-graduate level original research and/or publication in an area relevant specifically to the delivery of Medicines Optimisation
Post-graduate management qualification
Post-graduate procurement qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

Detailed knowledge and experience of working with Medicines Optimisation and/or medicines decision making groups within the NHS (e.g. Area Prescribing Committees or equivalent)
Knowledge of procurement, its current provision across England through NHS SPS, and its role in delivering Medicines Optimisation
Understanding of underpinning medicines legislation i.e. Medicines Act and Misuse of Drugs Act, Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines (Duthie), Good Distribution and Manufacturing Practice, Medicines Guidance Note 14 etc.

Desirable criteria

Existing knowledge of the Specialist Pharmacy Service and its development and role in delivery of Medicines Optimisation
Experience in purchasing / contracting
Specialist knowledge of EU Public Procurement Law, Standing Financial Instructions and Standing Orders.

Communication Skills

Essential criteria

Proven track record of working with and managing difficult situations and motivating others to deliver change
Experience of working in a complex matrix type working environment within a diffuse national organisation
Ability to organise research, teaching, and audit activities

Personal and People Development

Essential criteria

A clear understanding of financial management, project management, standards of probity and business management
Ability to work with providers and commissioners to support development of service improvement and performance management plans

Other

Essential criteria

Ability to work from home or attend the department when needed. There will also be a need to attend meetings regionally and nationally as required. There may need for travel and overnight stays occasionally

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn’t accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.