Pharmaceutical Development Lead (Deputy Production Manager)

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Are you ready to make a real difference in healthcare?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a and experienced individual to join the NHS Scotland Pharmaceutical ‘Specials’ Service as a Pharmaceutical Development Lead (Deputy Production Manager).

This is a pivotal role within our specialist manufacturing team, providing professional leadership to the Production Team and supporting our Production Manager in the operational management of our pharmaceutical production processes, ensuring high quality manufacturing standards, compliance with regulatory requirements, and the continued delivery of essential unlicensed medicines to patients via our customers.

You will lead on the development and regulatory oversight of unlicensed medicines and clinical trial materials, ensuring that pharmaceutical products are safe, effective, and meet the needs of patients and clinicians.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide professional leadership for a team of technical production experts, providing clear guidance and support to ensure optimum performance.
• Support the management of manufacturing process for a diverse portfolio of pharmaceutical products, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations (GMP, GCP, GDP, MHRA, GPhC and the Home Office)
• Provide expert pharmaceutical advice to customers, pharmacists, and clinicians on the use, formulation, manufacture, and supply of unlicensed medicines.
• Advise clinical and pharmacy staff on the pharmaceutical and regulatory aspects of clinical trials, including the design, costing, and supply of clinical trial materials.
• Undertake and contribute to the development of the product portfolio and clinical trial materials to meet specific customer and patient requirements.
• Lead the costing and quotation process for new products, ensuring timely and accurate responses to customer requests.
• Participate in the process design and validation of new and existing drug products, ensuring compliance with GMP and quality standards.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of compliant labelling systems, ensuring all medicines meet legal and ethical standards.
• Liaise with national procurement, clinical teams and other external stakeholders to support access to high-quality unlicensed medicines.
• Work closely with the Quality Assurance, Sales Office and Stores teams to ensure alignment with service objectives and goals.
• Deputise for the Production Manager

PSS provides a national service providing patients across the UK with access to quality unlicensed medicines that are not commercially available from licensed manufacturers or are in short supply, and to provide Investigational Medicinal Products for clinical trials and research across the UK. The aim of the production department is to manufacture and supply safe, quality and effective medicinal products.

Key Requirements:

• Experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, with a focus on production management and pharmaceutical development.
• Proven ability to provide expert pharmaceutical advice on the use of medicines in clinical and patient care settings, including unlicensed medicines and clinical trial materials.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with clinicians, customers, and technical teams.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements.
• Leadership and people management skills.
• Ability to drive change and lead service improvement initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams.
• A degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a nationally recognised service delivering high-quality, patient-specific medicines
• Work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment with opportunities for innovation and leadership
• Access to professional development, training, and career progression within NHS Scotland

NHSS PSS is a values-based service showing:

Hours of work are 37 per week, Monday to Friday.

For further information, or to arrange a site visit, please contact:

Andrew Gash, Head of PSS, NHSS PSS (tel: 01382 496723; e-mail: andrew.gash@nhs.scot)

We look forward to hearing from you and discussing how you can contribute to the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing and unlicensed medicines supply within the NHS.

Short-listed applicants will be contacted by email. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk/spam folder.