Principal Technician Pharmacy Stores and Distribution

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Hasland; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in the UK is seeking an inspiring Pharmacy Technician to join their senior pharmacy team. The role involves key leadership responsibilities across procurement and distribution, maintaining stock systems, ensuring compliance with regulations, and managing teams. Candidates should have extensive pharmacy operations experience and strong leadership skills. This is a crucial position aimed at improving pharmacy service delivery while ensuring patient safety and efficient operations.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in procurement and distribution within pharmacy operations.
• Eligible to act as Responsible Person for MHRA wholesale licence.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage Pharmacy Department stock management system.
• Ensure purchasing activity complies with contracts.
• Oversee stock shortages and implement solutions.

Skills

Procurement experience

Leadership skills

Stock control systems

Data quality control

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an inspiring and dynamic Pharmacy Technician to join our senior pharmacy team at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. This post is a key departmental leadership role, responsible for both procurement and distribution teams. Applicants will need to have extensive experience in procurement and distribution and be able to deliver on an essential operational agenda.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Pharmacy Department stock management computer system and oversee its operation and development.
• Ensure purchasing activity complies with National, Divisional and collaborative contracts or local agreements (e.g., consortium); source purchases from appropriate suppliers.
• Monitor purchase quantities to reflect demand, best-buy arrangements, optimise stock holding and minimise waste.
• Represent the Trust at the East Midlands Pharmacy Purchasing consortium and contribute to its work plan and the Pharmacy Collaborative.
• Oversee stock shortages and implement regulatory-compliant solutions; monitor and maintain accuracy of purchasing and price data in pharmacy computer files.
• Set, maintain, update and review standards for file descriptions to ensure nomenclature consistency for safe use of medicines.
• Develop systems to assess and monitor data quality; be responsible for operation and development of the Pharmacy Robot and ensure staff are trained and equipment is maintained.
• Be responsible for the operation and development of the pharmacy and ward-based ADC cabinets; ensure staff training, safe and effective use, and interfacing with other systems.
• Ensure Distribution Services are managed and developed efficiently and effectively; monitor stock movements and document compliance with hospital policy.
• Coordinate reporting of financial data from the pharmacy computer system on a monthly basis to relevant parties.
• Lead and manage staff resources within Distribution and Procurement, including recruitment, education and development, competency assessment, sickness absence, and performance management.
• Ensure all wholesale dealing activity complies with the MHRA Wholesale Dealers Licence and manage the associated Quality System; act as the Responsible Person named on the MHRA licence as appropriate.
• Contribute to the management and development of the pharmacy service as a member of the department leadership team.
• Manage the pharmacy stock control system and implement effective user access control and IT security in line with Trust policies; notify IT Security if incidents occur.
• Develop and maintain operational procedures to ensure efficient use of the stock management system; ensure user training in collaboration with the Training department.
• Manage supplier relationships for the system, including fault resolution mechanisms where necessary.
• Coordinate local disaster contingency arrangements and ensure disaster recovery processes are in place and tested for stock management and dispensing systems.
• Act as local administrator of the Powergate e-commerce purchasing and invoicing system and liaise with suppliers in case of system failure.
• Maintain Rx-Info Define operations, including daily stockholding records and Issues Report; identify data quality issues and take appropriate action.
• Identify system-specific risk management issues for incorporation in Directorate risk registers and participate in Quality Governance arrangements in the Pharmacy.
• Participate in weekend and bank holiday working as per departmental rotas; maintain confidentiality of patients, staff and Trust information.
• Understand and comply with Operational, Personnel, Health and Safety policies and procedures (including Fire, COSHH, No Smoking and Alcohol); maintain a safe environment with infection control standards.
• Engage in flexible working discussions where applicable; discuss arrangements with the team to support service and patient needs.
• Other duties as requested by the Head of Medicines Management in consultation, and contribute to pharmacy service improvements.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in procurement and distribution within pharmacy operations.
• Eligible to act as, or work towards becoming, Responsible Person for MHRA wholesale licence (minimum 1 year under a GDP licence).
• Strong leadership and team management skills; able to recruit, develop and manage performance.
• Experience with stock control systems and regulatory compliance, including MHRA and WDA licensing requirements.
• Good understanding of NHS contracts, CMU contracts, and cost improvement initiatives.
• Strong data quality, reporting, and governance capabilities.
• Commitment to patient safety, medicines optimisation and interdepartmental collaboration.

Additional Information

• Flexible Working: If you are seeking flexible or predictable working arrangements, please discuss with us to see what can be accommodated.
• COVID-19 Vaccination: The Trust supports vaccination as part of safeguarding staff and patients.
• UK Points-based Immigration: Applications from non-UK/RoI nationals require sponsorship unless eligible via another route; refer to GOV.UK guidance for details.
• Communications: Recruitment communications will be via e-mail/Trac; provide an email address for referees where possible and contact HR Support Services for application assistance.
• Location and future opportunities: This role is based in Chesterfield with potential future opportunities at other locations within the Derbyshire health and social care community.

Expiry

This role is current and open for applications unless stated otherwise; please check the job posting for updates.