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Professional Manager Pharmacy Technical Services: Operations & Pharmacologistics
NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service
Base site Royal infirmary of Edinburgh, with expectation to travel to other sites across Lothian
Band 8b | 1.0 WTE | 36 Hours | Permanent
£76,888 - £82,251
[Including public holiday commitment as required]
Shape the Future of Pharmacy Operations and Pharmacologistics in NHS Lothian
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, innovative and forward-thinking pharmacy technician leader to join NHS Lothian as Professional Manager Pharmacy Technical Services: Operations & Pharmacologistics.
This is a new senior leadership role with responsibility for the strategic development and delivery of pharmacy technical operations, pharmacologistics and medicines management services across NHS Lothian’s acute, mental health and primary care hospital sites.
You will provide professional leadership and direction for the pharmacy technician workforce, ensuring that technical and operational services are safe, effective, efficient and responsive to the needs of patients and clinical teams. As a member of the Pharmacy Senior Management Team, you will also provide expert technical advice and contribute to the wider corporate leadership of the Pharmacy & Medicines Service.
About the Service
The Medicines Supply and Emergency Planning portfolio is one of the most operationally complex and strategically important areas within NHS Lothian’s Pharmacy & Medicines Service.
The portfolio includes pharmacy operations and medicines management services across hospital sites, together with the procurement, contracting, invoicing, dispensing and distribution of medicines. It supports services across acute, mental health and community settings and plays an essential role in maintaining safe, effective and resilient medicines supply throughout NHS Lothian.
The role has delegated responsibility for a significant multidisciplinary workforce and for the leadership of Site Lead Pharmacy Technicians and the manager responsible for purchasing and medicines supply. It also contributes to the management of substantial staffing, medicines and operational resources.
The Role
As Professional Manager Pharmacy Technical Services: Operations & Pharmacologistics, you will provide strategic direction and professional leadership across a complex, multi-site portfolio.
You will lead the delivery and continuous development of technical operations, pharmacologistics and medicines management services, ensuring that these services meet professional, regulatory, quality and financial standards. You will work closely with senior pharmacy, clinical and operational colleagues to ensure services are aligned with patient needs, workforce priorities, and both local and national strategic objectives.
The role offers a unique opportunity to influence pharmacy technician practice at both local and national level. You will lead the development of advanced practice roles, support workforce and succession planning, and create an environment in which pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support workers can develop and make the fullest use of their knowledge and skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing strategic and professional leadership for pharmacy technical operations, pharmacologistics and medicines management services across NHS Lothian.
- Leading the safe, effective and efficient delivery of medicines procurement, supply, dispensing, distribution and ward-based medicines management services.
- Developing and implementing robust quality systems that support professional standards, regulatory compliance, service continuity and continuous improvement.
- Providing professional advice, leadership and direction to pharmacy technicians working within acute, mental health and primary care hospital services.
- Leading workforce planning, succession planning and the development of advanced practice roles for pharmacy technicians.
- Ensuring effective staff governance, including recruitment, retention, induction, continuing professional development, performance management and workforce monitoring.
About You
You will be an experienced and credible pharmacy technician leader with the ability to operate strategically while maintaining a clear understanding of frontline pharmacy services.
You will have significant post-registration experience in hospital pharmacy and demonstrable management experience within a complex healthcare environment. You will be confident leading across professional and organisational boundaries and will bring strong knowledge of technical pharmacy operations, medicines procurement, stock control, quality systems and the legal and ethical frameworks governing pharmacy practice.
You will be able to demonstrate:
- Registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
- Master’s degree (or equivalent knowledge, training and experience) and a management qualification at Diploma level (or equivalent).
- Significant post-registration hospital pharmacy experience, including leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
- Proven experience in service redesign, organisational change and strategic problem-solving.
- Strong understanding of hospital pharmacy procurement, stock control and the secondary-care pharmaceutical market.
- Experience of financial management, workforce planning, performance management and service improvement.
- Excellent communication, influencing, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to convey complex information effectively.
- Strong planning, organisational, project management and digital skills.
- Ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities and respond effectively to service demands.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to lead and shape technical pharmacy services across one of Scotland’s largest and most diverse health systems.
You will have the scope to influence operational pharmacy practice across NHS Lothian, develop the pharmacy technician workforce and lead improvements that directly support medicines safety, service resilience, efficiency and patient care.
Working in partnership with senior pharmacy, clinical and operational leaders, you will help create sustainable, high-quality services that make the best use of people, technology and resources. You will also represent NHS Lothian through professional networks and forums, contributing to the continuing development of pharmacy technician practice locally and nationally.
If you are a motivated, compassionate and influential pharmacy technician leader with the vision, expertise and drive to transform complex operational services, we would welcome your application.
About NHS Lothian
The Pharmacy & Medicines Service provides integrated, high-quality, person-centred care across NHS Lothian. The service works wherever medicines are used or pharmacy staff are employed, supporting safe, effective and economical use of medicines through close collaboration with patients, the public and multidisciplinary teams.
The service is committed to developing all branches of the pharmacy profession and has an important role in education and professional development for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy support workers and the wider healthcare workforce.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
For full details of the responsibilities of the post and the qualifications, knowledge and experience required, please review the accompanying Job Description and Person Specification.
If you would like to learn more about the role, the services you will lead or the opportunities it provides, we would be delighted to hear from you. An informal conversation with the hiring manager is a valuable opportunity to ask questions and explore how this senior leadership role could fit with your experience and career aspirations.
For further information, please contact:
Jo Webster
Head of Pharmacy Medicines Supply and Emergency Planning
Email: joanne.webster@nhs.scot
Telephone: 07973 657 402