Operations Management Lead -Pharmacy Services in Newport, Wales

As a member of the Pharmacy Division Senior Management Team, the post holder will be responsible for delivering the strategic aims of the Division primarily linked to operational planning and service delivery that is patient focused, safe and regulatory compliant. This ensures smooth and efficient operations, performance and outcomes management of these high‑risk activities by leading operational teams to achieve this.

The role will be responsible for a portfolio of service delivery with operational service level agreements, contracts and policy across a range of services and providers throughout the division. This post will lead on service delivery to all stakeholders within NHS Wales and externally, assuring customer satisfaction and excellence, identifying cost benefits and efficiencies. On behalf of the Director of Pharmacy Services, this post holder will ensure business continuity with strategic planning for service resilience.

The role will lead on each Pharmacy Division section/department’s commercial plans and their performance with outcomes measurement and reporting to ensure they reflect the organisation’s annual delivery plan and strategies as set out within its IMTP.

Main duties of the job include strategically planning, executing and monitoring all aspects of divisional projects to realise intended outcomes in line with division and organisational goals, on behalf of clinical demand for medicines and pharmacy services. The role will lead on business continuity planning, strategic service resilience, digital workflow and dashboard systems, and continuous monitoring of performance against KPIs.

Qualifications and Knowledge

Master’s degree or equivalent experience, post‑graduate professional / management / project management education or equivalent experience, evidence of continued professional development in pharmaceutical manufacturing considerations for QA and GMP.

Experience

Experience operating at senior management level within complex organisations and environments, including operational management of resources/logistics in complex organisations, e.g., in service delivery or business planning. Broad knowledge of the national NHS context, including specific in‑depth knowledge of the challenges facing health and social care. Evidence of excellence and innovation in management practice in the candidate’s present environment, consistent achievement of testing service, financial and staff management targets in a changing and challenging workplace, strategy development and change management in complex inter‑organisational situations, good IT skills and experience in software packages, and experience of pharmaceutical QA and GMP related project management.

Desirable criteria

Experience operating within NHS organisations and / or ambulance services.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong information gathering skills for a variety of projects coupled with analytical skills and the ability to consider the wider picture including future scenario planning.
• Able to translate strategic goals into effective and achievable plans and monitor their progress and outcomes.
• Able to plan and organise a broad range of complex activities or programmes, some of which are ongoing; able to formulate and adjust plans or strategies accordingly.
• Able to handle detail within strategic plans and make informed decisions and judgements in complex situations, presenting these clearly.
• Able to extract key points from large or complex data volumes.
• Able to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to enhance delivery.
• Strong analytical and critical reasoning skills to identify and initiate resource and quality improvements across multiple sites.
• Calm, persuasive negotiator in a highly pressured and volatile environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including communicating complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Ability to assess risks, anticipate difficulties, address them successfully, and develop effective working relationships with colleagues and the public.

Additional Information for Applicants

Welsh language skills are desirable. Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh; applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than those in English. The role requires the ability to speak Welsh, which is desirable; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

To work in the UK, candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland nationals require sponsorship for either a Health and Care visa or a Skilled Worker visa unless they have permission via another route.

The Agenda for Change Pay Award for 2026/27 is effective from 1st April 2026. Successful applicants starting on or after 1 April 2026 will be paid according to the 2026/27 award.

Recruitment Contact

For questions regarding recruitment, please contact Laura Jayne Keating, Director of Pharmacy Services, Email: Laura‑, Telephone: 07879452213.