Job Description

About Us

We are a UK-based MHRA-regulated pharmaceutical company specialising in the procurement, over-labelling, wholesale, and supply of UK-licensed and unlicensed medicines to NHS hospitals, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers.

We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Procurement & Commercial Manager to lead, develop, and strategically manage our procurement, supply chain and commercial buying activities. The successful candidate will work closely with our sales, production, and quality teams.

About the Role

The Procurement & Commercial Manager will ensure that all departmental operations are efficient, effective, and compliant, while meeting the commercial needs of the business and maintaining optimal profitability. They will be responsible for driving strategic procurement, optimising the supply chain, and enhancing commercial performance across Qmed Pharma's Medicine Over-Labelling, Wholesale, and Unlicensed Medicines sales operations.

As a key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the successful candidate will hold strategic influence within the business and report directly to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The role requires a strong balance of strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and market awareness, with a particular emphasis on market intelligence to guide purchasing and pricing decisions. They will develop, implement, and continuously refine strategic procurement policies to maintain a robust, resilient, and value-driven supply chain.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong management skills and active involvement in day-to-day buying, supplier relationship management, and commercial negotiations. The postholder will play a pivotal role in growing the department in line with operational expansion, ensuring effective purchasing practices, optimal stock levels, product availability, and continuous improvement in efficiency and performance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement & Commercial Management

Develop and implement robust procurement and commercial strategies that support business growth and profitability. Forecast demand in collaboration with sales and production teams to maintain optimal stock levels and prevent shortages or overstocking. Identify opportunities for cost savings, improved margins, and greater supply chain efficiency. Use market intelligence to anticipate pricing shifts, product shortages, and emerging opportunities, enabling timely and profitable purchasing decisions. Take ownership of supplier negotiations, pricing agreements, and strategic purchasing plans.
Supplier Sourcing & Relationship Management

Build and maintain strong relationships with UK pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, and parallel traders (as required). Negotiate and secure favourable commercial terms to ensure best value, product quality, and continuity of supply. Develop new supplier partnerships to increase product access and competitive advantage. Act as the key commercial contact for supplier negotiations, pricing discussions, and partnership development.
Wholesale Procurement Strategy

Monitor market conditions, including pricing fluctuations and availability, to guide strategic buying decisions. Manage procurement of high-volume and high-value products to maximise profitability while maintaining reliability of supply. Collaborate closely with the sales team to align procurement activity with sales forecasts and market demand. Ensure all procurement aligns with MHRA and GDP standards.
Over-Labelling Procurement & Supply Chain Management

Oversee the procurement of licensed medicines required for over-labelling operations in line with forecasted NHS and customer demand. Coordinate procurement schedules with sales and production teams to ensure continuous workflow and timely product availability. Monitor lead times, expiry dates, and logistics to minimise waste and prevent production delays. Work with QA and production to ensure all procured products meet regulatory, quality, and operational standards.
Unlicensed Medicines Procurement

Support and, over time, take ownership of overseas procurement activities for unlicensed medicines in line with MHRA requirements. Strengthen overseas supplier networks and ensure a reliable import and export process. Work collaboratively with QA and Regulatory Affairs to ensure compliance and proper documentation.
Compliance & Governance

Ensure all procurement and commercial activities comply with MHRA, GDP, GMP, and Home Office regulations. Maintain accurate procurement documentation for regulatory and audit purposes. Support supplier qualification and ensure that all supply sources meet Qmed Pharma's quality standards.
Leadership, Autonomy & Reporting

Operate with a high degree of independence, owning the procurement and commercial function end-to-end. Provide leadership and direction to any procurement team members or supporting staff as the function evolves. Develop and track procurement KPIs, reporting on performance, savings, and risks to senior management. Contribute to strategic business planning and commercial decision-making as part of the senior management team.
Future Scope

Work closely with QA and Operations teams to develop an understanding of Marketing Authorisations (MAs). Manage the supply chain for Qmed's own licensed products. Expand responsibility for international procurement and commercial development as the company grows.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 50,000.00-85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension On-site parking Transport links
Experience:

Pharmaceutical Procurement: 5 years (required) Management and Leadership: 5 years (required)
Work Location: In person