Deputy Lead Pharmacy Technician - Procurement
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 13/08/2026
- Closes
- 10/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Candidates needing sponsorship are encouraged to apply.
HiveMind found a sponsorship-friendly statement in the source advert welcoming applicants who require a visa. Always confirm on the source before applying.
“Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This role is for an experienced and motivated Deputy Lead Pharmacy Technician with a strong procurement background to join the Pharmacy Procurement team. You will lead the safe, effective, and efficient delivery of pharmacy procurement, including managing medicine shortages, overseeing purchasing, and ensuring robust invoicing processes. The role involves line managing the purchasing and invoicing team, producing reports, monitoring contract compliance, and supporting cost improvement programs. Candidates need proven medicines procurement experience, strong organisational and analytical skills, and team leadership experience.
Key responsibilities
- Organise and line manage the Pharmacy Purchasing and Invoicing teams across all LUHFT sites, deputising for the Technical Services Manager as required.
- Monitor and manage Commercial Medicines Unit pharmacy contracts and ensure the Pharmacy stock control system is up to date.
- Monitor current and forecasted supply disruptions, liaising with the Procurement Pharmacist to ensure safe and effective management of issues.
- Manage the daily workload of the department, including staff duty allocation, rotas, and line management of purchasing and invoicing staff.
- Support Cost Improvement Programmes by ensuring identified cost savings are reported appropriately and monitoring off-contract spend.
- Communicate with a wide range of healthcare professionals, pharmacy staff, external wholesalers, and suppliers on issues relating to medicines, contracts, and stock shortages.
Essential criteria
- BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent with appropriate underpinning knowledge.
- Registration with General Pharmaceutical Society
- Demonstrable previous experience of working as a technician leader in a busy pharmacy environment.
- Experience of working in a purchasing environment including medicine ordering and contract management.
- Extended knowledge of the Pharmacy stock control system and other IT systems used in pharmacy purchasing.
- Ability to use IT programmes and packages to support role
- Excellent attention to detail
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Willingness to be flexible and able to work between sites at short notice
- Enthusiasm for the position
- Enthusiasm for service development and innovation.
- Willingness to undertake further training as necessary
- Proven record in managing change
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Development and review of SOP
- Human resources experience. Utilisation of departmental and trust policies to manage staff.
- Demonstrable knowledge of Pharmacy contracts, Frameworks and other purchasing related agreements
- Knowledge of external bodies pertaining to purchase of medicines and their role in hospital pharmacy procurement.
- Knowledge of MHRA regulations for procurement of Unlicensed Medicines.
- Ability to create, maintain and analyse reports
- Ability to solve complex technical problems.
- Ability to review and adapt as and when circumstances dictate.
- Ability to provide expert technical advice to a range of healthcare professionals within the trust and externally
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Ability to prioritise workload for self and the team
- Logical thought process
- Assertiveness
- Have a pro-active approach
- Articulate and confident when communicating with others
- Self-motivating and able to motivate/inspire others
- Ability to work effectively under pressure whilst continuing to deliver key targets
Desirable criteria
- BTEC level 4 Diploma in Dispensing Accuracy Checking / equivalent
- Previous experience of working in a pharmacy stores environment, providing a ward stock service
- Extended knowledge of JAC/Wellsky/CMM
- Appraising staff
- Experience of identifying and driving cost savings through good purchasing practice
- Experience of responding to and co-ordinating actions from medicine recall notifications
- Experience of recruitment process
- Experience of leading meetings
- Knowledge of invoicing processes and terms of sale to NHS trusts.
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 6 at £37,338 – £44,962 a year, across England.
This advert: £39,959 – £48,117 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 17d ago · Closes in 12d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Deputy Lead Pharmacy Technician with a strong procurement background to join our Pharmacy Procurement team.
You will lead the safe, effective and efficient delivery of pharmacy procurement, including managing medicine shortages, overseeing purchasing, and ensuring robust invoicing processes. Working closely with Procurement, Stores and Distribution leads, you will support continuity of patient care and deliver cost-effective outcomes. You will also line manage the purchasing and invoicing team, supporting development and maintaining a high-performing service.
Key duties include producing monthly reports, maintaining accurate procurement data, monitoring contract compliance, managing off-contract spend and claims, and supporting the Cost Improvement Programme (CIP) by identifying risks and implementing savings. You will ensure stock accuracy, manage supply disruptions, and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, finance teams and regional networks.
Candidates must have proven medicines procurement experience, strong organisational and analytical skills, and experience leading teams. A proactive, solution-focused approach is essential. We offer a supportive environment, development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on patient care and NHS resources.
Main duties of the job
1\. Organ
Join the community to read the full pack, responsibilities and person-specification in one place.
Your seat is reserved — activate it
CareerHive is included with your CareerHive Skool community membership. If you haven't claimed your account yet, join the community (or sign in with the same email you joined with) to unlock the full advert, the apply link, HiveMind AI interview & application suite, your private vault, and daily sponsorship alerts.