Technical Services Senior Operative

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust; Colchester, Ipswich; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension scheme

Unsocial hours payments

27 days annual leave on commencement

NHS discounts

Job summary

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a permanent full-time Technical Services Senior Operative in the Pharmacy Technical Services department. The role is based in Colchester with cross-site work to Ipswich.

You will support the Production and Quality Assurance teams, manufacture a range of pharmaceuticals following SOPs, and help maintain the Quality Management System. Strong candidates may be offered a developmental path with progression targets.

Qualifications

• BTec, NVQ level 3 in pharmacy services or Science Manufacturing Technician, or Level 5 qualification in a scientific subject.
• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
• Two years post qualification pharmacy experience.

Responsibilities

• Work with Production and Quality Assurance teams to provide high quality, cost-effective patient-centred service.
• Manufacture pharmaceuticals following SOPs for inpatients, outpatients and external customers (aseptic cytotoxics, CIVAS & radiopharmaceuticals, non-sterile, sterile, over-label and repack).
• Support management of the Quality Management System, including Deviations, Change Controls and CAPAs and documentation updates.
• Provide support for equipment maintenance and calibration with external contractors.
• With Production Leaders, manage staff deployment, workload prioritisation, supervision and delegation of duties.
• Coordinate with other Technicians and Senior Operatives to ensure efficiency.

Skills

Staff supervision

Quality Assurance

Hazardous materials handling

Sterile environment experience

SOP compliance

Education

BTec/NVQ3 in Pharmacy

Level 5 qualification in science

BSc or equivalent

Job description

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Technical Services Senior Operative

The closing date is 24 November 2026

Have you got the enthusiasm and confidence to take up the challenge of this exciting post in the Pharmacy Technical Services department.

We are looking for a permanent full-time Technical Services Senior Operative to work in the MS licenced and Section 10 Production units. You will be based at Colchester, however cross site working to Ipswich will be required.

Working as part of the team within the Main Pharmacy department you will deliver a high quality, flexible and responsive service.

Consideration will be given for strong candidates who may not meet the essential criteria to undertake this role on a developmental basis with set competency targets. These roles will be banded lower than originally advertised until competency targets are met.You will need to be qualified to BTec, NVQ level 3 in pharmacy services (Pharmacy Technicians) or BSc or equivalent in scientific or related subjects.

Main duties of the job

• Work in partnership with the Production and Quality Assurance management teams in the provision of a high quality, cost effective and efficient patient centred pharmacy service to the Trust
• Manufacture a range of pharmaceuticals following standard operating procedure (SOPs) and worksheets for inpatients, outpatients and external customers, including aseptic cytotoxics, CIVAS & radiopharmaceuticals, non-sterile, sterile, over-label and repack products.
• Actively support the management of the Quality Management System, including Deviations, Change Controls and CAPAs and creation of and updates to documentation.
• Provide support for the planned maintenance and qualification of equipment and liaise with outside contractors for provision of maintenance and calibration services.
• With the Production Leaders, take responsibility for staff deployment, prioritisation of workload, supervision and delegation of duties.
• Liaise as appropriate with other Technicians and Senior Operatives to ensure the efficiency of all activities.

About us

We are one of the largest NHS organisation in the region, employing over 12,000 staff. We deliver care from two main hospitals in Colchester & Ipswich, six community hospitals, clinics and patient's homes.

Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.

Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of ESNEFTs core activities.

The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, procedures and in its practices and to foster positive work relationships.

The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values of Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind.

In line with the NHS Long Term Plan and Staff Standards, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.

Job responsibilities

Interview date: 3rd December 2026

Working at ESNEFT

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff.

We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals

• generous pension scheme
• unsocial hours payments (where applicable)
• 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata)
• access to a range of NHS discounts
• Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

To comply with UK Government regulations on sponsorship we are unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold. Full guidance on sponsorship can be found Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

Notes

Please note that where response levels are exceptional we may close the post before the specified date, therefore early application is recommended.

In line with AfC Terms and Conditions new entrants to NHS will commence on the entry level of the salary

If you require any information in an alternative format or have any access needs for the application process, please contact us.

Qualifications

• BTec, NVQ level 3 in pharmacy services or Science Manufacturing Technician, or Level 5 qualification in a scientific subject. Level 5 qualifications are: diploma of higher education (DipHE), foundation degree, higher national diploma (HND), level 5 award, level 5 certificate, level 5 diploma, level 5 NVQ
• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Experience

• Previous experience of working within a technical area of pharmacy / Quality Assurance or pharmaceutical manufacturing facility
• In handling materials which are hazardous
• Working within a sterile environment e.g. Laminar Flow cabinets or isolator
• Training of others.
• Demonstrated supervisory skills
• Specials Manufacturing experience
• Two years post qualification pharmacy experience
• Previous experience with Quality Management Systems

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (