At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead pharmacy operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Well Pharmacy, the UK's largest independent pharmacy chain.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and exposure to advanced healthcare technology.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare delivery while managing a large-scale operation.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading operations within regulated environments and strong people management skills.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Well Pharmacy is the UK's largest independent pharmacy chain, operating approximately 640 branches and employing more than 6,000 colleagues nationwide.
Headquartered in Manchester and part of the Bestway Group, we dispense over 72 million prescription items annually and support more than 2 million patients across the UK.
Our services extend far beyond traditional pharmacy care, including
- NHS and private prescription dispensing
- Pharmacy First consultations
- Free blood pressure checks for over-40s
- Medication services for more than 360 care homes
As we continue to grow and innovate, we're looking for an experienced Operations Manager to lead one of the UK's largest and most advanced Distance Selling Pharmacies.
Based at our state-of-the-art logistics centre in Stoke-on-Trent, this is an exciting opportunity for a high-calibre operational leader to take ownership of a fast-paced, highly regulated, and rapidly expanding healthcare fulfilment operation.
Processing more than 150,000 prescription items every month, the site supports multiple service streams, including:
- Weight management services
- Online doctor and digital healthcare platforms
This role sits at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and large-scale logistics.
It combines the regulatory standards of pharmacy with the pace, complexity, and operational demands of a high-volume distribution environment.
As Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the end-to-end operation, ensuring service, quality, safety, compliance, and customer KPIs are consistently achieved while driving continuous improvement across the site.
You will lead a team of
- 3 Team Managers
- Approximately 75 Operational Associates while working closely with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to shape the future of pharmacy fulfilment at scale.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership
- Lead day-to-day pharmacy fulfilment operations across multiple service streams and shift patterns.
- Ensure receiving, inventory management, picking, packing, and shipping activities are delivered efficiently and on time.
- Manage operational costs, workforce planning, overtime, absence management, and equipment maintenance.
- Maintain a safe, compliant, and high-performing working environment.
- Act as the senior escalation point for operational challenges, identifying solutions before issues impact service.
- Monitor and improve key operational metrics including productivity, order accuracy, cost per order, and carrier performance.
- Build, develop, and mentor leadership teams and operational colleagues.
- Strategic & Project Leadership
- Provide operational expertise to support business planning and growth initiatives.
- Collaborate with teams across IT, Projects, Marketing, Automation, and Commercial functions to implement new services and technologies.
- Lead operational readiness planning for peak trading periods and business-critical events.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes through innovation, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Serve as the operational subject matter expert for pharmacy fulfilment across the wider business.
- Partner closely with the Responsible Pharmacist and senior leadership teams to align operational delivery with clinical, regulatory, and commercial objectives.
- Develop strong relationships with suppliers, automation partners, and technology providers to enhance operational performance.
- Lead, motivate, and develop a large, diverse workforce operating across multiple shifts.
- Manage all people-related activities including recruitment, onboarding, engagement, performance management, and development.
- Create a culture built on accountability, safety, collaboration, inclusion, and operational excellence.
- Support succession planning and leadership development to build future capability across the operation.
About You
- We're looking for a confident and commercially aware operations leader with:
- Proven experience leading large-scale operations teams within a regulated, healthcare, logistics, fulfilment, manufacturing, or similar environment.
- Strong people leadership skills with experience managing large teams and multi-shift operations.
- The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational problem-solving.
- A track record of delivering results within fast-moving and evolving environments.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
- Knowledge of pharmacy operations, particularly Distance Selling Pharmacy or centralised fulfilment models.
- Understanding of GPh C, NHS, and MHRA regulatory frameworks.
- Experience working with automation, robotics, or digital operational systems.
- Exposure to project delivery, compliance management, and workforce planning.
Why Join Well Pharmacy?
Make an Impact at Scale
Help shape services that support thousands of patients every day across digital healthcare platforms and care homes nationwide.
Work with Advanced Technology
Gain exposure to automated dispensing systems, robotics, and innovative healthcare technology supporting high-volume operations.
Partner with colleagues across logistics, IT, governance, commercial, warehouse, project, and marketing functions.
Lead a Significant Operation
Develop expertise managing a sophisticated operation handling more than 150,000 prescription items every month.
Accelerate Your Career
Strengthen your leadership capabilities by managing large teams, driving operational excellence, and leading transformational change.
Focus on Operational Excellence
Work in a central fulfilment environment without the demands of front-of-store retail, allowing you to focus entirely on service delivery and innovation.
Be Part of a Market Leader
Join one of the UK's largest and most progressive pharmacy operations as we continue to transform the future of healthcare delivery.
Ready to make a difference?
If you're an experienced operations leader with a passion for people, performance, and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.
Join Well Pharmacy and help shape the future of pharmacy care across the UK.
The Ideal Candidate
Bestway Healthcare is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer.
If you have any specific requirements, we'll do everything we can to support you.
Whether it is to find a pharmacy that is accessible, or if it is a part time position you are looking for, we can help find the role that is right for you.
If you need us to make any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process, we will be happy to accommodate you
Please be aware that due to the high number of applications we receive it may not be possible for us to provide an outcome to all applicants.
If you are not contacted within 28 days of your submission unfortunately you will have been unsuccessful.
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Digital - Pharmacy Operations Manager in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Well Pharmacy
Join a dynamic and inclusive team as an Operations Implementation Manager, where you'll play a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiency across a nationwide pharmacy network. With a competitive salary, car allowance, and opportunities for professional growth, you will thrive in a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. This field-based position offers the chance to make a tangible impact while working closely with diverse teams and stakeholders, all within a company committed to your success and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Digital - Pharmacy Operations Manager in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
Dive into industry-specific events like pharmaceutical conferences and seminars, where you can meet hiring managers from companies like Well Pharmacy. These are goldmines for making connections and learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream job boards.
✨Join Relevant Professional Bodies
Get involved with organisations such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or your local pharmaceutical professionals' network. Being an active member can boost your credibility and may even lead to job referrals in top organisations like Well Pharmacy.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like Well Pharmacy. These opportunities often pave the way for full-time positions and allow you to demonstrate your capabilities firsthand.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When you're applying for roles, don't rush it! Take the time to customise your applications for specific positions, showcasing relevant skills and experiences that align with what Well Pharmacy is looking for. A tailored application can really make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Digital - Pharmacy Operations Manager in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at Well Pharmacy!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show Well Pharmacy that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at Well Pharmacy!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At Well Pharmacy, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Well Pharmacy
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Well Pharmacy that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
Take some time to familiarise yourself with Well Pharmacy’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios
In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
