Job summary
Full Job Title: Operational Manager - Pharmacy Distribution - Deputy Responsible Person and Site Manager

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Pharmacy technician or Pharmacist to lead our Pharmacy Distribution Service. The ideal candidate will be forward-thinking, with a strong commitment to delivering exceptional service to our customers and, ultimately, our patients. This newly created role comes as part of a restructuring initiative within Pharmacy Distribution Centre at University College London Hospitals (UCLH).

UCLH operates an offsite pharmacy warehouse, which holds a wholesaler license with the MHRA and is licensed by the Home Office to supply controlled drugs. The unit manages an annual expenditure of over £210 million. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the efficient distribution of medicines and managing the Brewery Road site. They will also serve as the Deputy Responsible Person (RP) for the MHRA Wholesaler License.

In addition to providing medicines to all areas of UCLH, the service extends to multiple external customers, including other local NHS trusts. The post-holder will also assist the Director of Pharmacy Operations in maintaining and developing pharmacy services across the Trust as part of a strategic working group.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the strategic development of pharmacy medicines distribution services to UCLH and external customers, aligning with local, regional, and national requirements and priorities.
• Develop and implement a distribution strategy to ensure efficient, cost-effective delivery of medicines that meet quality standards, are available when needed, and provide the best value for money.
• Deliver an effective, high-quality medicines distribution service in compliance with all professional and regulatory standards, supporting UCLH NHS Foundation Trust and relevant external clients.
• Communicate complex information both internally within the pharmacy and externally with regulators (MHRA, Home Office). Strong communication and negotiation skills will be essential to influence decision-making.
• Take responsibility for site management, including oversight of all on-site equipment and facilities.
• Build and maintain proactive strategic relationships with stakeholders, including suppliers, NHS partners, commissioners, and NHS bodies such as NHS Improvement.
• Train and develop the team to provide an expert, high-quality, stakeholder-focused service.
• Oversee Pharmacy Distribution services, which involve managing orders and approving invoices worth approximately £210 million annually.
• Lead investigations and resolution of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to ensure compliance with Good Distribution Practice regulations.

About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Details
Date posted: 02 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £66,274 to £73,496 a year Per annum inclusive of HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 309-UCLH-8400153

Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Technician or Pharmacist with GHPC
• Relevant management underpinning knowledge/ post graduate studies or equivalent (or working towards)
• Demonstrable post qualification experience in the NHS sector - preferably in a Pharmacy Distribution role
• Knowledge of finance systems and budget control processes
• Demonstratable significant post qualification work in an operational management capacity

Desirable

• MHRA Gold standard qualification

Experience
Essential

• Implementation of strategies aimed at meeting Trust and pharmacy priorities
• Ability to reconcile national priorities with local realities.
• Evaluates service provision.
• Demonstrates awareness of and commitment to the principles of clinical governance

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Identifies novel ways of working to enhance services.
• Ability to analyse and critically appraise operational data.
• Ability to utilise database and other software packages to enhance work efficiency and to generate solutions to complex problems.

Values
Essential

• Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving

Personal and People Development
Essential

• Demonstrates ability to work and lead a multi-disciplinary team.
• Previous experience in delivering education and training at a postgraduate level.

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Essential

• Demonstratable understanding of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties Act 2010 and the Public

Specific Requirements
Essential

• Participation in multidisciplinary health services research

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Pharmacy Business and Distribution Centre, UCLH, Brewery Road, London, N7 9NH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Director of Pharmacy Operations, Andrea Ridley, andrea.ridley@nhs.net

Apply through our website.