Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Manager

NHS; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Portsmouth is seeking a Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Manager to ensure excellence in aseptic pharmaceutical manufacturing. The role involves leading QA strategies, managing teams, and maintaining high standards of compliance and safety. The ideal candidate has a strong background in Quality Assurance, is experienced in aseptic environments, and possesses a relevant degree in Pharmacy. This permanent full-time position offers a competitive salary and the opportunity for professional development within the NHS.

Benefits

On-site Nursery

Access to Wellness Centre

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• 5+ years experience in a Quality Assurance managerial role.
• Thorough understanding of GMP, GCP, WDL, and MHRA requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead Quality Assurance for Pharmacy's off-site Licensed Aseptic manufacturing unit.
• Develop and maintain Quality Systems according to GMP requirements.
• Oversee QA/QC operations and manage staff.

Skills

Leadership in Quality Assurance

Strategic thinking

Risk assessment

Problem analysis

Time management

Education

Degree in Pharmacy

PTQA qualification or equivalent

Tools

GMP Guidelines

Quality Management Systems

Job description

Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Manager

The closing date is 04 January 2026

Are you ready to lead Quality Assurance excellence in NHS pharmaceutical manufacturing?

Our Pharmacy Manufacturing Unit is looking for an experienced and motivated Pharmacy Quality Assurance Manager to lead in ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety and compliance.

Main duties of the job

You will be someone with a vision for shaping the future of aseptic pharmaceutical manufacturing within an NHS setting.

The unit is one of the largest NHS licensed units in the UK and provides a range of aseptic products to Portsmouth Hospital University NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trust and multiple other NHS Trusts across the UK.

What we offer:

• A senior leadership role with real influence over clinical manufacturing and patient safety.
• Opportunity to work at the interface of pharmacy and clinical trials.
• A supportive multidisciplinary team and scope to develop services and external partnerships.
• Ongoing professional development and training to maintain specialist expertise.

About us

Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.

Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on‑site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, access to Queen Alexandra's Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and DisAbility, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veterans status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.

Job responsibilities

Location: Railway Triangle, Walton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 1TH

Salary: Band 8c £76,965‑ £88,682 per annum

Job Type: Permanent

Closing date: 4th January 2026

Working Pattern: Full time 37.5 hours per week

Key responsibilities:

• Provide expert Quality Assurance Strategic leadership across the Pharmacy and Technical (Aseptic services) Services.
• Leading on all areas of Aseptic production and Quality Assurance for Pharmacy's off‑site Licensed Aseptic manufacturing unit.
• Act as Head of Quality and Qualified Person for the MHRA manufacturing licences.
• Develop, maintain and improve Quality Systems, SOPs, change control and document control in line with GMP and MHRA requirements.
• Lead regulatory and self‑audit programmes and manage responses to audit findings.
• Oversee QA/QC laboratory operations, environmental monitoring and stability programmes.
• Manage QA and QC staff. Provide strategic leadership to the Production and Quality Assurance teams, including recruitment, appraisal, training and performance management.
• Lead commissioning, validation and revalidation of facilities, equipment and processes.
• Provide QA support for clinical trials, IMP manufacture and external technical agreements.
• Investigate product defects, coordinate recalls and advise on unlicensed medicines and product safety.
• Prepare business cases, with support from Pharmacy Business manager and support income‑generating service contracts.
• Keep up to date with changes in the Aseptics National picture making necessary service adaptations and ensure future resilience.

How to apply:

Please submit a CV and a concise covering letter outlining how your experience meets the essential criteria and why you are interested in this role. For informal enquiries, contact Sarah Nolan, Chief Pharmacist via the Business manager – [e-mail].

For additional information please see attached Job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Pharmacy, registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• OR
• Other qualification that supports eligibility to be named as a Qualified Person e.g. PTQA qualification or with formal qualification in Chemistry or Biology registered with the Royal Society of Chemistry or Biology.

Experience

• Comprehensive working experience of at least 5 years in a Quality Assurance managerial capacity in a licensed aseptic manufacturing GMP facility.
• Previous work experience within the NHS is desirable but experience in a commercial aseptic facility would be acceptable.
• Thorough understanding of GMP, GCP, WDL and the requirements of the MHRA.
• A good understanding of current microbiological or chemical methods and instruments of QA/QC.
• An excellent understanding of equipment and techniques used in aseptic manufacturing or compounding.
• Working experience as a Releasing Officer.
• Knowledge of QA requirements in the NHS.
• Ability to think strategically, develop services and manage change.
• Ability to identify risk and carry out risk assessments.
• Ability to analyse and solve problems.
• Ability to set targets and meet deadlines.
• Ability to appropriately recommend, substantiate and communicate decisions and influence senior staff.
• Ability to promote and develop a quality work environment and ethos.
• Good personal organization, time management and meeting skills.
• Good computer literacy for report writing and presentations.
• Able to work in clean room environments and operate precision equipment.

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.

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust