Operational Manager, Deputy RP & Site Manager
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Job summary
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is seeking an experienced Operational Manager for Pharmacy Distribution to lead our distribution service and serve as Deputy Responsible Person for the MHRA Wholesaler License. The role spans internal hospital distribution and external NHS clients, with site management responsibilities at the Brewery Road facility.
The successful candidate will drive strategic development, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage an annual
Qualifications
- Registered Technician or Pharmacist with GHPC.
- Postgraduate management qualification or working towards.
- Demonstrable post-qualification NHS Pharmacy Distribution experience.
- Knowledge of finance systems and budget control processes.
- Demonstrable significant post-qualification operational management experience.
- MHRA Gold standard qualification.
Responsibilities
- Lead strategic development of pharmacy medicines distribution services to UCLH and external customers.
- Develop and implement a distribution strategy to ensure efficient, cost-effective delivery of medicines.
- Deliver an effective medicines distribution service in compliance with professional and regulatory standards.
- Communicate complex information with regulators and stakeholders; influence decisions.
- Take responsibility for site management, including on-site equipment and facilities.
- Build proactive strategic relationships with suppliers, NHS partners, and other NHS bodies.
- Train and develop the team to provide high-quality, stakeholder-focused service.
- Oversee Pharmacy Distribution services, managing orders and approximately £210 million in invoices annually.
- Lead CAPA investigations to ensure compliance with Good Distribution Practice.
Skills
Education
Job description
The closing date is 16 November 2026
Full Job Title: Operational Manager - Pharmacy Distribution - Deputy Responsible Person and Site Manager
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Pharmacy technician or Pharmacist to lead our Pharmacy Distribution Service. The ideal candidate will be forward-thinking, with a strong commitment to delivering exceptional service to our customers and, ultimately, our patients. This newly created role comes as part of a restructuring initiative within Pharmacy Distribution Centre at University College London Hospitals (UCLH).
UCLH operates an offsite pharmacy warehouse, which holds a wholesaler license with the MHRA and is licensed by the Home Office to supply controlled drugs. The unit manages an annual expenditure of over £210 million. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the efficient distribution of medicines and managing the Brewery Road site. They will also serve as the Deputy Responsible Person (RP) for the MHRA Wholesaler License.
In addition to providing medicines to all areas of UCLH, the service extends to multiple external customers, including other local NHS trusts. The post-holder will also assist the Director of Pharmacy Operations in maintaining and developing pharmacy services across the Trust as part of a strategic working group.
- Lead the strategic development of pharmacy medicines distribution services to UCLH and external customers, aligning with local, regional, and national requirements and priorities.
- Develop and implement a distribution strategy to ensure efficient, cost-effective delivery of medicines that meet quality standards, are available when needed, and provide the best value for money.
- Deliver an effective, high-quality medicines distribution service in compliance with all professional and regulatory standards, supporting UCLH NHS Foundation Trust and relevant external clients.
- Communicate complex information both internally within the pharmacy and externally with regulators (MHRA, Home Office). Strong communication and negotiation skills will be essential to influence decision-making.
- Take responsibility for site management, including oversight of all on-site equipment and facilities.
- Build and maintain proactive strategic relationships with stakeholders, including suppliers, NHS partners, commissioners, and NHS bodies such as NHS Improvement.
- Train and develop the team to provide an expert, high-quality, stakeholder-focused service.
- Oversee Pharmacy Distribution services, which involve managing orders and approving invoices worth approximately £210 million annually.
- Lead investigations and resolution of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to ensure compliance with Good Distribution Practice regulations.
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
- University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospital
- University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
- University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
- University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff To find out more, visit: Flexible working.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
- Registered Technician or Pharmacist with GHPC
- Relevant management underpinning knowledge/ post graduate studies or equivalent (or working towards)
- Demonstrable post qualification experience in the NHS sector - preferably in a Pharmacy Distribution role
- Knowledge of finance systems and budget control processes
- Demonstratable significant post qualification work in an operational management capacity
- MHRA Gold standard qualification
- Implementation of strategies aimed at meeting Trust and pharmacy priorities
- Ability to reconcile national priorities with local realities.
- Evaluates service provision.
- Demonstrates awareness of and commitment to the principles of clinical governance
- Identifies novel ways of working to enhance services.
- Ability to analyse and critically appraise operational data.
- Ability to utilise database and other software packages to enhance work efficiency and to generate solutions to complex problems.
- Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving
- Demonstrates ability to work and lead a multi-disciplinary team.
- Previous experience in delivering education and training at a postgraduate level.
- Demonstratable understanding of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties Act 2010 and the Public
- Participation in multidisciplinary health services research
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.
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Pharmacy Business and Distribution Centre, UCLH
£66,274 to £73,496 a yearPer annum inclusive of HCAS
Permanent
Full-time
309-UCLH-8400153
Pharmacy Business and Distribution Centre, UCLH
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