Lead Procurement and Pharmacy IT Systems Technician

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS mental health trust in London is seeking a Lead Procurement and Pharmacy IT Systems Technician. This role involves supervising purchasing functions, managing staff, and supporting pharmacy digital systems. Ideal candidates should possess NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences and have relevant supervisory experience. Competitive salary offering up to £55,046 per annum.

Responsibilities

• Supervise purchasing, invoicing, and stock management processes.
• Assist in the purchasing of medicines and equipment using Wellsky.
• Lead and support the procurement and IT team.
• Contribute to the creation and review of SOPs and policies.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication

Ability to write and implement procedures

High level of knowledge of all Microsoft applications and pharmacy stock control systems

Ability to work under pressure

Good organisational skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent

Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

CIPs

Member of APTUK

Tools

Powergate

Wellsky

Job description

Overview

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Lead Procurement and Pharmacy IT Systems Technician

The closing date is 13 October 2025

This post offers a unique opportunity for an experienced Pharmacy Technician to specialise in medicines procurement and pharmacy digital systems (including ePMA, Wellsky, and Powergate). You will combine technical, operational, financial, and leadership responsibilities to support the safe, efficient, and innovative delivery of medicines across South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. The role includes deputising for the Pharmacy Procurement and IT Systems Manager, supervising day to day activities of pharmacy procurement, and contributing to service development. You will play a key role in ensuring robust supply chain processes, financial governance, and optimisation of digital systems that underpin patient safety.

Main duties of the job

• To assist in the management of the Purchasing and IT functions in SLaM Pharmacy
• To supervise the purchasing functions
• To manage staff in stores
• To manage the ward top-up service on the Maudsley site

About us

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training. By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field. SLaM delivered more than 14,000 training experiences in 2014; providing an extensive range of learning opportunities for staff at all levels. In addition, our working relationship with King's Health Partners allows those working at the Trust to get involved in academic research.

Job responsibilities

Procurement & Supply Chain

• Supervise purchasing, invoicing, and stock management processes, ensuring compliance with regional contracts (CMU), Trust financial procedures, and national guidelines.
• Assist in the purchasing of medicines, equipment, and resources using Wellsky ordering and Powergate.
• Ensure stock is managed effectively and minimising waste.
• Liaise with suppliers to resolve shortages, negotiate best prices for unlicensed/over-labelled medicines, and pursue cost-saving opportunities.
• Clarify price discrepancies, follow up credits, and amend supplier/product data on pharmacy systems.
• Attend regional/national procurement meetings in the absence of the Procurement Manager.
• Support controlled drug stock checks, date checks, and rolling audits in line with GDP and governance standards.
• Provide medicines information and advice to healthcare staff within scope of practice.
• Liaise with clinical pharmacists where supply shortages may impact on patient care and propose solutions.

IT Systems & EPMA

• Act as deputy IT systems lead, supporting Wellsky and Wellsky
• Provide first-line technical support to pharmacy staff, escalating complex issues where needed.
• Collaborate with Trust digital teams to ensure accurate ePMA build and data transfer for new medicines and suppliers.
• Contribute to system development and optimisation projects to improve workflow, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Deliver training and maintain SOPs for pharmacy IT processes.

Leadership & Supervision

• Lead and support the procurement and IT team in the absence of the Pharmacy Procurement & IT systems Manager.
• Supervise ATOs, trainee pharmacy technicians, PTPTs, and trainee pharmacists in procurement and IT processes.
• Contribute to recruitment, training, and competency assessments.
• Lead daily huddles/meetings to disseminate information, allocate tasks, and foster team effectiveness.
• Support rota management.

Governance, Audit & Service Development

• Support the creation, implementation, and review of SOPs, policies, and governance frameworks relating to procurement and IT.
• Undertake audits of procurement processes, stock management, and IT system accuracy; contribute to KPI development.
• Investigate procurement errors or stock discrepancies and take appropriate corrective action.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH, and safe handling of medicines policies.
• Participate in service development projects to improve efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and maximise cost savings.
• Assist with preparation of monthly reports on procurement activity, financial performance, KPIs, and savings initiatives.
• Ensure procurement activity aligns with the Trust medicines budget and identify opportunities for efficiency.
• Provide data for FOIs, benchmarking, Pharmex/Exend, and Trust governance reports.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 Pharmaceutical Sciences or a recognised equivalent
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a Pharmacy Technician
• CIPs
• Member of the Association of Pharmacy Technicians (APTUK)

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Ability to write and implement procedures
• High level of knowledge of all Microsoft applications and pharmacy stock control systems
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good organisational skills

Experience

• Management or supervisory skills
• Experience in a similar post
• Significant purchasing experience
• Experience liaising with Trust finance department and wholesaler finance to resolve disputes
• Experience of Racial Awareness/Diversity Training
• Previous experience of consortia purchasing
• Evidence of project work
• Experience building medicines on ePMA

Knowledge

• Stock Control and GDP
• Knowledge of NHS purchasing systems i.e Powergate, Wellsky, eProcurement, Crystal Reports
• Knowledge and relevant experience of ePMA with respect to drug configurations, formulary management and trouble shooting
• Knowledge of the ePACT system and ability to run reports
• Understanding of stock control, logistical systems and financial systems for medicines

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.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

£46,419 to £55,046 a year per annum incl. of inner HCAs