Responsibilities
* Lead, plan, manage, develop and participate in the provision of safe, high quality and cost‑effective medicines procurement and supply services to University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and external units via appropriate Service Level Agreements.
* 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.
* Monitor service performance using evolving performance indicators.
* Identify annual contributions towards cost‑improvement and savings programmes, and implement changes to deliver savings.
* Resolve any issues relating to availability of product, level of service and price in liaison with suppliers.
* Merge pharmacy procurement teams and processes across UHSussex Trust.
* Support governance and efficiency of medical gases across the organisation and act as a member of the Medical and Laboratory Gases Group.
* Act as Responsible Person for wholesale distribution authorisation (WDA) and ensure compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) principles.
* Lead pharmacy procurement across all Trust sites, maximise quality of pharmacy information and reporting.
* Ensure compliance with mandatory and statutory legislation, documented and reported, and pre‑empt non‑compliance through understanding of complex legislation.
* Develop cutting‑edge procurement strategy considering patient needs, Trust management, new ways of working, national best practice, audit outcomes and legislative guidance.
* Oversee and manage all purchasing within the Pharmacy department, ensuring timely purchases, adequate stocks without unnecessary stock‑holding value.
* Secure the most competitive purchasing rates for all pharmaceutical products.
* Utilise CMU negotiated contracts, develop strategic supplier partnerships, and engage in consortium purchasing.
* Investigate and rectify anomalies within ordering and drug receipt processes.
* Review performance and benchmarking information, implement recommendations.
* Support strategic development of pharmacy service with the Pharmacy Board.
* Ensure invoices are processed to Finance Department promptly.
* Write and update Standard Operating Procedures for purchasing and receipt.
* Serve as delegated budget holder for the Procurement Team, keeping within budget and collecting appropriate income.
* Understand budgetary management and reporting, commissioning arrangements and Trust standing financial instructions.
* Monitor pay budget, explore skill‑mixing and configuration changes to improve area efficiency.
* Participate in regional and national procurement groups, review tenders, adjudicate contracts, and liaise with manufacturers to improve supply chain.
* Implement policies and decisions of the MGC regarding pharmaceutical purchasing.
* Develop automated methods for order processing, stock receipt and invoice entry into the CMM Pharmacy computer system.
* Ensure supplier qualifications meet wholesale requirements and wholesale licence terms.
* Record procurement‑related quality issues in the pharmacy quality system.
* Participate actively in WDA and Home Office Controlled Drugs licence inspections.
* Support Trust prescribing guidelines, implement necessary changes.
* Liaise with finance for appropriate accounting and reconciliation processes for the CMM pharmacy stock control system.
* Use EXEND and VEND to optimise purchasing, reduce slow‑moving lines and avoid wastage.
* Manage waste related to stock lines, seek opportunities to reduce wastage.
* Lead the merging of two legacy site procurement teams to achieve process alignment and efficient working.
* Provide expert procurement advice and input on stock holding, contract changes, quality improvement, efficiency, savings and wastage management, leading a team of pharmacy technicians and invoicing/ordering staff across sites.
Application information
Applicants are advised to submit applications promptly; adverts may close earlier than indicated if interest is exceptional or if a limited number of applications is reached.
Flexible working options may be explored with the line manager. All staff undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks where necessary.
Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available for roles that meet UK Visas & Immigration eligibility criteria. Applicants must meet all UKVI requirements.
The role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UKVI Skilled Worker route, with specific skill and salary thresholds applicable.
About UHSussex
UHSussex is one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, committed to delivering excellent care and fostering a culture of inclusion, compassion and professional development.
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as core values, offering a broad wellbeing programme, flexible working and opportunities for learning, teaching and training throughout your career.
As a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust, we support diversity and inclusion through staff networks and a welcoming community.
For accessibility support, please refer to our dedicated application form link.
Note on role progression
If you do NOT meet the essential criteria for Band 8a, you may be offered a post as a Band 7‑8a progression role.
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