Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) Procurement & Distribution

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Swindon; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Cycle to work scheme

Blue Light Card discounts

NHS Pension scheme

Job summary

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) for Procurement & Distribution. The role focuses on stock management of medications across pharmacy and ward areas, with duties including placing supplier orders, tracking deliveries and ensuring timely distribution.

The successful candidate will work under supervision, support procurement activities and work towards NVQ level 2 in stock management.

Qualifications

• Requires GCSEs at grade C or above in Maths, English and Science.
• Willing to work towards an NVQ level 2 in stock management.
• Training will be provided; previous pharmaceutical experience is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage stock of medications in pharmacy and ward areas.
• Prepare stock orders for transport to external locations.
• Top up services in clinical areas and deliver medications to wards.
• Maintain stock within the department and manage procurement activities.
• Place supplier orders and track deliveries; receive goods and process invoices; meet deadlines.

Skills

IT skills

Time management

Communication

Organisational skills

Team player

Education

NVQ level 2 or equivalent

GCSEs in Maths, English and Science (C or above)

Job description

Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) Procurement & Distribution

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 24 November 2026

This post provides an exciting opportunity to join the pharmacy team at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to enhance our ability to supply our wards and community areas with the medications they need to provide effective patient centred care.

To undertake duties under supervision to manage stock of medications within the pharmacy department and ward areas within the Trust. The role includes tasks such as; preparing stock orders for transport to external locations, performing top up services in clinical areas within the Trust, delivering medications to ward areas and stock maintenance within the department. Managed procurement activities including placing supplier orders, tracking and following up on outstanding deliveries, receiving goods including bulk fluids, and processing invoices, while consistently meeting deadlines and maintaining efficient workflow management.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Job responsibilities

Applicants should have good IT and time management skills, good communication and organisational skills, be a team player and preferably have pharmaceutical experience holding NVQ level 2 qualification. This is not essential as training will be given and you would be expected to work towards your NVQ level 2 qualification or equivalent, you will be required to have a good standard of education and GCSEs at grade C or above in Maths, English and Science.

Any successful applicant will be expected to participle in flexible working which will include weekend, late duty and Bank Holiday rotas as required.

The successful candidate must be willing to work towards a level 2 qualification in stock management.

Please note that this vacancy will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received.

Working Pattern

Working Pattern: To be confirmed, 28 hours per week

Interview Date

Interview Date: Friday 4th December 2026

Contact

For further information please contact: Benjamin Nethacott, Procurement and Automation lead - Tel [phone] Email: [e-mail]

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

Cycle to work scheme

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter.
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Person Specification

General Requirements

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description
• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust