Pharmacy Procurement Lead
The closing date is 13 April 2026
We’re looking for a forward‑thinking, collaborative and innovative pharmacy technician or pharmacist with strong communication and analytical skills, and a successful track record in pharmacy procurement.
You will lead the merging of two legacy site procurement teams, ensuring process alignment and an efficient way of working. You will also provide expert procurement advice and input, including monitoring stock holding, contract changes, quality improvement, efficiency, savings, and wastage management – leading and supporting a team of pharmacy technicians and invoicing/ordering staff cross‑site.
In return, you’ll join a supportive and forward‑thinking pharmacy team with access to professional development and leadership support, helping you deliver excellent care every time.
If you do NOT meet the essential criteria for Band 8a, you may be offered the post as a Band 7‑8a progression post.
Main duties of the job
To lead, plan, manage, develop and participate in the provision of a safe, high‑quality and cost‑effective medicines procurement and supply service to the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and to external units via appropriate Service Level Agreements.
To negotiate purchasing agreements with the Pharmaceutical Industry and other suppliers within predetermined guidelines.
Work closely with the Purchasing Department to evaluate Controls Assurance Standards and supply management.
To monitor service performance using an evolving set of performance indicators.
To be responsible for identification of annual contributions toward the Cost Improvement Programme or other efficiency or savings programmes and to implement changes to deliver savings.
To liaise with representatives of the Pharmaceutical Industry and other suppliers to resolve any issues relating to availability of product, level of service and price.
To merge the pharmacy procurement teams and processes across UHSussex Trust.
To support the supply, governance and efficiency of medical gases across the organisation and to be an active member of the Medical and Laboratory Gases Group.
To be a Responsible Person (RP) for the management of the wholesale distribution authorisation (WDA) and to ensure compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) principles.
About us
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Job responsibilities
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role‑specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at the time of application.
To lead the provision of pharmacy procurement across all sites of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust.
To monitor service performance using an evolving set of performance indicators and to maximise the quality and depth of pharmacy‑related information and reporting.
To review relevant performance and benchmarking information in relation to purchasing, implementing any recommendations as appropriate.
To support the strategic development of the whole pharmacy service by working with the Pharmacy Board.
To ensure that invoices are passed through to Finance Department with a minimum of delay.
To write and update Standard Operating Procedures for purchasing and receipt.
To be a delegated budget holder for the Procurement Team, ensuring expenditure remains within budget and that all appropriate income is collected.
To monitor pay budget and consider opportunities for skill‑mixing or changes in configuration to overcome recruitment difficulties or improve the efficiency of the area.
To be an active member of regional and national procurement groups, reviewing tenders and adjudicating all regional contracts, and to identify any potential difficulties with regional/national supplies.
To implement policies and decisions made by the MGC in relation to the purchasing of pharmaceuticals.
To develop automated methods for order processing, stock receipt and invoice entry onto the CMM Pharmacy computer system.
To ensure purchasing work supports Trust prescribing guidelines and to implement changes as necessary.
To liaise with finance to ensure appropriate accounting arrangements for the CMM pharmacy stock control system and to ensure appropriate reconciliation processes exist.
To ensure full use of EXEND and VEND, and any other available tools, by the purchasing team, including opportunities to reduce slow‑moving lines and avoid wastage.
To be responsible for waste management in relation to stock lines, seeking and utilising all available opportunities to reduce.
Person Specification
* Registered with GPhC
* Significant experience in hospital pharmacy purchasing
* Experience of leading change management and successful implementation of change management processes
* Experience of leadership development through formal training
* Experience of conducting audits and the use of performance indicators
* Effective short and long‑term planning for medicines shortages and contract changes
* Ability to lead, develop and motivate cross‑site teams
* Ability to plan future services within the procurement services in line with objectives
* Ability to interpret national pharmacy guidance on procurement and to develop local policies to reflect those standards
* Knowledge of NHS purchasing and supply organisations and their role in the purchase of pharmaceuticals and performance management
* Experience of hospital pharmacy purchasing
* Knowledge of CMM computer systems
* Ability to manage conflict and lead change
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
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.
£47,810 to £62,682 a year (pro rata)
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