Job Description

The post-holder will work as part of a regional and national team in delivering agreed priorities,facilitating access to the most appropriate medicines, delivered via a robust supply chain, to the NHS organisations in their region, whilst offering best value for money to those organisations. They will also work collaboratively with the other regional leads and their associate leads to deliverpharmacy procurement services as outlined in the NHS SPS service specification (December2021). By working as part of an integrated SPS team, the Associate Regional PharmacyProcurement Specialist will be able to facilitate making medicines optimisation routine practiceacross the NHS and will promote equal and equitable service provision for all NHS patients.
The NHS SPS requires the post-holder to act as the deputy to a regional pharmacy procurement specialist (RPPS) lead in one of the 7 regions as commissioned by NHSE.
The post holder will support the RPPS leads and their associates in delivering all elements of the SPS specification. This will involve working with all SPS functions as well as colleagues in NHSE, DHSC and the local health economy (ICBs as they become statutory bodies).
Main duties of the job
The post holder is expected to support NHS organisations and networks through the following:

• Exercise professional judgment and makes decisions in complex situations where information is partial or conflicting, or when ethical issues are involved
• Provide expert guidance on aspects of medicines use and safety, including consideration of clinical governance implications, to frontline practitioners, managers and directors in provider and commissioner settings
• Ensure all work undertaken minimises risk and maximises patient safety associated with the purchase of medicines and services
• Support and lead on the implementation of national strategy and develop and prioritise the work plan for the pharmacy procurement function for the allocated region
• Support the delivery of the national medicines optimisation agenda by providing specialist medicines procurement advice at a national, regional and local level
• Safeguard patients through ensuring resilient medicines supplies and the quality assurance of medicines procured, prepared or manufactured by the NHS in the region in line withregulatory and professional standards
• Contribute to the patient safety agenda through the provision of pharmacy procurementexpertise, including audit, to the procurement, storage and distribution of medicines and medicines provider services to the NHS
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the annual workplan for SPS via PMSG

About us
The NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) supports the NHS to develop best practice systems of work related to buying, making and using medicines. The service provides leadership, instructive and informative specialist input and operational support to the sourcing, supply and use of medicines across the system. Our strengths are borne out of connecting national expertise with policy teams and arm's length bodies to ensure consistency and high standards. The service supports both regional and local connections to ensure that the service's outputs resonate with and support local NHS organisations which deliver care to patients. The key successes of SPS are through the development and delivery of our "Do Once and Share" methodology.
Details
Date posted
14 January 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8c
Salary
76,965 to 88,682 a year per annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time, Home or remote working
Reference number
287-PPU-16-25
Job locations
Pharmacy Practice Unit
70 Pembroke Place
Liverpool
L69 3GF
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post-holder is expected to demonstrate leadership skills and attributes in the role.
The post-holder will develop, implement and monitor compliance with standards, policy and KPIs for the safe use of medicines across England.
The post-holder will:

• Develop, communicate, and implement strategies and plans for the NHS SPS RegionalProcurement Service.
• Monitor compliance against standards and KPIs
• Lead on specific projects as identified by the service
• Contribute specialist input to the NHS procurement networks via local procurementconsortia and Chief Pharmacist networks
• Contribute specialist input to PMSG and PMSG subgroups, to develop and implement best practice
• Represent the Regional Chief Pharmacists and the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service at national committees as necessary
• Respond to relevant UK and EU medicines consultations on behalf of the allocated region and network
• Publish and communicate best practice guidance, advice notes and alerts in response to identified needs of the service at a regional level and to contribute to national guidelines.
• Provide advice and network links to regulatory bodies, industry, academia, professional and specialist pharmacy groups
• Define and develop the Pharmacy workforce, promoting succession planning by providing specialist education & training
• Champion best practice through local and national networks
• Liaise with regulators - MHRA, GPhC, and CQC
• Support professional networks and national specialist committees (RPS, aseptic, nutrition, homecare)

Job description
Job responsibilities
The post-holder is expected to demonstrate leadership skills and attributes in the role.
The post-holder will develop, implement and monitor compliance with standards, policy and KPIs for the safe use of medicines across England.
The post-holder will:

• Develop, communicate, and implement strategies and plans for the NHS SPS RegionalProcurement Service.
• Monitor compliance against standards and KPIs
• Lead on specific projects as identified by the service
• Contribute specialist input to the NHS procurement networks via local procurementconsortia and Chief Pharmacist networks
• Contribute specialist input to PMSG and PMSG subgroups, to develop and implement best practice
• Represent the Regional Chief Pharmacists and the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service at national committees as necessary
• Respond to relevant UK and EU medicines consultations on behalf of the allocated region and network
• Publish and communicate best practice guidance, advice notes and alerts in response to identified needs of the service at a regional level and to contribute to national guidelines.
• Provide advice and network links to regulatory bodies, industry, academia, professional and specialist pharmacy groups
• Define and develop the Pharmacy workforce, promoting succession planning by providing specialist education & training
• Champion best practice through local and national networks
• Liaise with regulators - MHRA, GPhC, and CQC
• Support professional networks and national specialist committees (RPS, aseptic, nutrition, homecare)

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician (Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council)
• Vocational masters degree or equivalent
• MPharm or BSc in Pharmacy or BTEC in pharmaceutical services or Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills and the Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science
• Post graduate pharmacy qualification or equivalent extensive experience and specialist knowledge in the area of practice

Desirable

• Post graduate level original research and/or publication in an area relevant specifically to the delivery of Medicines Optimisation
• Post graduate management qualification
• Post graduate procurement qualification

Experience
Essential

• Detailed knowledge and experience of working with Medicines Optimisation and/or medicines decision making groups within the NHS (e.g. Area Prescribing Committees, or equivalent)
• Detailed knowledge of Medicines Optimisation as it pertains to both primary and secondary care
• Knowledge of procurement, it's current provision across England through NHS SPS, and it's role in delivering Medicines Optimisation
• Understanding and appreciation of local and national NHS (including pharmacy) policy
• A clear understanding of financial management, project management, standards of probity and business management
• Some experience of working at national level to enable Medicines Optimisation implementation
• Some experience of working with medicines commissioning and decision making structures within the NHS to influence change

Desirable

• Existing knowledge of the Specialist Pharmacy Service and it's development and role in delivery of Medicines Optimisation
• Experience in purchasing/contracting
• Working with industry to achieve best outcomes
• Specialist knowledge of EU Public Procurement Law, Standing Financial Instructions and Standing Orders
• Familiarity with pharmacy stock control systems

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician (Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council)
• Vocational masters degree or equivalent
• MPharm or BSc in Pharmacy or BTEC in pharmaceutical services or Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills and the Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science
• Post graduate pharmacy qualification or equivalent extensive experience and specialist knowledge in the area of practice

Desirable

• Post graduate level original research and/or publication in an area relevant specifically to the delivery of Medicines Optimisation
• Post graduate management qualification
• Post graduate procurement qualification

Experience
Essential

• Detailed knowledge and experience of working with Medicines Optimisation and/or medicines decision making groups within the NHS (e.g. Area Prescribing Committees, or equivalent)
• Detailed knowledge of Medicines Optimisation as it pertains to both primary and secondary care
• Knowledge of procurement, it's current provision across England through NHS SPS, and it's role in delivering Medicines Optimisation
• Understanding and appreciation of local and national NHS (including pharmacy) policy
• A clear understanding of financial management, project management, standards of probity and business management
• Some experience of working at national level to enable Medicines Optimisation implementation
• Some experience of working with medicines commissioning and decision making structures within the NHS to influence change

Desirable

• Existing knowledge of the Specialist Pharmacy Service and it's development and role in delivery of Medicines Optimisation
• Experience in purchasing/contracting
• Working with industry to achieve best outcomes
• Specialist knowledge of EU Public Procurement Law, Standing Financial Instructions and Standing Orders
• Familiarity with pharmacy stock control systems

Skills Required