Lead Pharmacy Technician - Procurement Stores and Distribution

Are you ready to take the next step in your pharmacy career? We are looking for a dynamic and motivated Lead Pharmacy Technician – Procurement, Stores & Distribution to join our forward-thinking Pharmacy Leadership Team at University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG). This is a UHLG-wide leadership role, giving you the opportunity to shape and standardise medicines supply services across multiple hospital sites. Reporting directly to the Pharmacy Operations Manager for Procurement, Stores and Distribution, you will play a pivotal part in ensuring safe, efficient, and innovative systems for sourcing, storage, and distribution of medicines, while driving service improvements and embracing digital solutions.

As a key leader, you will influence strategic planning, optimise stock management, and ensure compliance with MHRA WDA(H), GDP, and Trust governance standards. If you have proven leadership skills, a passion for service development, and the ability to inspire teams, we want to hear from you. Join us and make a real difference to patient care by delivering excellence in medicines supply across the entire UHLG network.

Main duties of the job:

• Provide visible, accessible leadership for Procurement, Stores, and Distribution services across the Group.
• Lead, develop, and implement a unified, standardised service model across all sites, aligned with Group and national objectives.
• Develop and deliver strategic plans to enhance resilience, improve efficiency, and reduce variation.
• Ensure safe, effective, and compliant procurement and supply of medicines in line with legislation, MHRA WDA(H), GDP, and Trust policies.
• Oversee staffing levels, rotas, recruitment, and workload allocation to maintain 7-day service provision, including weekends and bank holidays.
• Manage staff performance, development, and adherence to HR policies through appraisals, PDPs, and regular check-ins.
• Ensure robust business continuity plans for all procurement and distribution services.
• Maintain effective stock control systems for safe and efficient storage and distribution of medicines.
• Monitor and review KPIs, driving continuous improvement and service development.
• Contribute to departmental strategic planning as part of the Pharmacy Leadership Team.
• Lead and evaluate dispensing services provided under SLAs to external organisations.
• Act as designated Quality Manager for MHRA WDA(H), ensuring inspection readiness and compliance with GPhC standards.

Person specification:

• Extensive knowledge of procurement policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of regional/national procurement frameworks and external systems used in procurement.
• Extensive knowledge of stock management & distribution procedures.
• Knowledge of MHRA WDA(H), Good Distribution Practice & Quality Management Systems.
• Knowledge of relevant medicines legislations including Medicines Act 1968, the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, the Procurement Act 2023.
• NVQ LEVEL 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences / BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences or GPhC Recognised Equivalent Pharmacy Technician Qualification (L3).
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma / equivalent purchasing related qualification or experience.
• Evidence of CPD.
• Management/Leadership Training.

Skills:

• Excellent leadership & staff management skills.
• Ability to analyse data/KPIs.
• Ability to prioritise, plan and delegate effectively.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet targets/deadlines.
• Advanced IT skills including stock systems & MS Office.
• Ability to motivate & support staff.
• High accuracy & attention to detail.
• Advanced audit skills.

The Trust is committed to promoting equality and diversity; we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community.