Lead Responsible Person - Pharmaceuticals

Smart4Sciences; Runcorn; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical organization is seeking a Lead Responsible Person (RP) for their UK operations, focused on GDP compliance across three sites in the North West. This strategic role involves overseeing the WDA(H) licence and ensuring the safe distribution of licensed products. Ideal candidates will have robust experience in pharmaceutical GDP environments and a comprehensive understanding of multi-site operations. This opportunity offers a competitive salary and the chance to shape best practices in a high-growth environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary and package

Leadership role with multi-site influence

Long-term progression in a high-growth environment

Qualifications

• Eligible to act as an RP under MHRA guidelines with experience in a GDP environment.
• Strong understanding of WDA(H) management and multi-site distribution operations.
• Proactive, detail-focused, and capable of steering quality decisions.

Responsibilities

• Act as the named Responsible Person for three UK sites, ensuring full GDP compliance.
• Maintain and manage the company's WDA(H) licence including variations and regulatory communication.
• Oversee the release of pharmaceutical products in line with GDP and MHRA expectations.

Skills

Pharmaceutical GDP experience

Management of WDA(H) licence

Leadership in audits and inspections

Quality decision making

Job description

Lead Responsible Person (RP) - North West

Pharmaceutical Distribution | Multi‑Site Leadership | Permanent

Are you an experienced RP ready to take the next step into a senior, strategic role? We’re supporting a leading pharmaceutical organisation in the North West as they seek a Lead RP to oversee their WDA licence and ensure compliant release activities across three established UK sites.

The Role

As Lead RP, you will take overall responsibility for GDP compliance and the effective maintenance of the organisation’s WDA(H) licence. You’ll act as the named RP for all sites, ensuring robust quality systems, audit readiness, and the safe, compliant distribution of licensed pharmaceutical products. This is a pivotal position within a growing business, offering the opportunity to influence quality culture, streamline processes, and lead GDP best practice across a multi‑site network.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the named Responsible Person (RP) for three UK sites, ensuring full GDP compliance.
• Maintain and manage the company’s WDA(H) licence, including variations and regulatory communication.
• Oversee and approve the release of pharmaceutical products in line with GDP and MHRA expectations.
• Lead and develop GDP standards across the business, driving continuous improvement.
• Manage internal and external audits, ensuring a high level of inspection readiness.
• Provide guidance, training, and support to site teams and senior stakeholders.
• Ensure robust supplier qualification, deviations management, and quality investigations.

About You

• Eligible to act as an RP under MHRA guidelines, with demonstrable experience in a pharmaceutical GDP environment.
• Strong understanding of WDA(H) management and multi‑site distribution operations.
• Confident in leading audits, inspections, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Proactive, detail‑focused, and capable of steering quality decisions at a senior level.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary and package
• Leadership role with multi‑site influence
• Opportunity to shape GDP best practice within a respected pharma organisation
• Long‑term progression within a high‑growth environment

If you’re an experienced RP seeking a step up into a Lead position, or already operating at that level and ready for a fresh challenge, please apply today or contact Gareth Gooley @Smart4Sciences for a confidential chat.