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Job summary

Main area
Pharmacy
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
249-7367754
Employer
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Great Western Hospital
Town
Swindon
Salary
£38,682 - £46,580 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
15/08/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Deputy Procurement and Distribution Lead

NHS AfC: Band 6

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a unique organisation, serving as the sole integrated provider in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire system. Our scope extends beyond boundaries as we oversee adult community services in Swindon and provide acute care from the Great Western Hospital. 

Our 5,500 staff have 1.2m patient contacts a year, with 13,000 operations carried out in our Theatres, around 4,000 babies born, and our emergency attendances are now well over 100,000 per year. Those numbers only tell part of our story about what an exciting time it is to join Great Western Hospitals.

We are cultivating a culture that fosters our ambitions, prioritising equality, diversion, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership. We aim to create an environment where every member of our team can truly thrive.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer; all applicants who have a disability can opt to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme, which means that, providing they meet the minimum essential criteria for the post, they will be offered an interview. We are also proudly accredited as a Veteran Aware organisation and have signed The Armed Forces Covenant.

If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close adverts prior to the published closing date. Therefore, we advise you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Job overview

If you are a Senior Pharmacy Technician with passion for Procurement & Distribution, this is a great opportunity to develop your career. The role is diverse, exciting and responsible and will appeal to career-minded individuals.

The successful candidate will be expected to work in a dynamic and flexible way within the Procurement and Distribution team to manage the smooth and effective running of the department in a busy NHS Hospital.

You will support the Procurement & Distribution Lead in the management of the team and oversee the day to day running of the department, organising and monitoring the performance of staff to maintain an efficient and safe service. The post holder will act as a Deputy Responsible person and will be integral to the on-going maintenance of the Wholesalers dealers’ and Home Office licenses and successful re-inspections.

Candidates should have experience and an interest in Pharmacy Procurement & Distribution, excellent communication & interpersonal skills; be motivated, flexible, adaptable and able to work well in an environment of change and transition. You will need to have an NVQ level 3 in Pharmacy Services and a BTEC in Pharmaceutical science (or equivalent qualification and underpinning knowledge) and be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

If you would like to discuss this role further or organise an informal / virtual visit then do not hesitate to get in touch.

Main duties of the job

To coordinate the Pharmacy Stores and Distribution department, supporting the efficient and effective procurement and distribution of medicines. Ensuring that all legal and departmental practices including Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs), MHRA Rules and Guidance for Pharmaceutical Distributors, COSHH, Lifting and Handling Regulations and all Trust Policies and Procedures are followed.

To assist in delegated duties as an accredited deputy responsible person to undertake the day to day WDA licensed activities ensuring that the service and facilities are compliant with all aspects of Good Distribution Practice (EU GDP 2013/C 343/01), and all other relevant medicines regulations and quality standards.

To manage related training provision to all operational staff within the facility.  To assist the operational lead in all aspects of regulatory audit (internal and external).

Working for our organisation

Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect – are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  1. To co-ordinate the Pharmacy Stores and Distribution operations including receipting goods, safe custody and security, correct storage, rotation of stock, issues, returns to suppliers and regular stock checks.
  2. Co-ordinate the ordering process to ensure that we do not run out of any essential items, helping to place orders with contracted or most cost effective suppliers.
  3. Oversee the to-follow process, ensure item outstanding on orders are chased and manage sorting out solutions to shortages such as ordering different brands.
  4. Managing any off contract claims.
  5. Assist the Procurement & Distribution Lead in ensuring there are adequate and up to date written training manuals for all areas to assist staff in following the correct standard operating procedures and to have in place an induction programme for all new staff to follow.
  6. To keep pharmacy staff informed about major stock availability problems and to notify these officers promptly of significant delays or shortages, and where appropriate arrange alternative sources of supply.
  7. To assist the Responsible Person and Procurement & Distribution Lead and be integral in the preparation, implementation and the on-going maintenance of the Wholesalers dealers’, all aspects of Good Distribution Practice (EU GDP 2013/C 343/01) and Home Office licenses. Complete delegated duties from the Responsible Person and have advanced specialist knowledge of EU GDP.
  8. Assist the Procurement & Distribution Lead in the procurement and on-going quality assurance of medical gases in line with national professional standards. This includes on-going risk management associated with the storage and handling of medical gas cylinders.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • NVQ / QCF Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent plus accredited underpinning knowledge (BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent)
  • Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council
Desirable criteria
  • Accredited Checking Technician qualification
  • Accredited medicines optimistation qualification
  • Procurement Qualification i.e. CIPs
  • Deputy Responsible Person

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Extensive post qualification working as a Pharmacy Technician
  • Experience of organising and managing in busy and potentially stressful environments
  • Experience of leading teams and staff management
  • Project / Audit / QI work
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of JAC Pharmacy Stock Control System
  • Procedure development
  • Working with a WDA License

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: Goldhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jasmine Heap
Job title
Pharmacy Procurement & Distribution Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01793 605018
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