We are seeking an experienced and motivated pharmacist to join our team as a Highly Specialist Pharmacist – Procurement & Medicines . This is a key leadership role with a 50/50 split between procurement and clinical medicines optimisation , offering a unique opportunity to influence both strategic supply and frontline patient care.
The post holder will lead pharmacy procurement across the Trust, ensuring cost-effective, safe, and resilient medicines supply, while also providing clinical pharmacy support within the Medicine Directorate.
Procurement & strategic leadership
Lead and develop pharmacy procurement services across the Trust
Manage strategic supplier relationships and negotiate contracts to deliver best value
Lead on medicines shortages management and supply resilience planning
Oversee unlicensed medicines governance and quality assurance processes
Drive and deliver the pharmacy Cost Improvement Programme (CIP)
Represent the Trust in regional and national procurement and contracting forums
Manage the IV fluid inventory management contract and supplier performance
Clinical pharmacy
Provide clinical pharmacy services within the Medicine Directorate
Ensure safe, effective, and cost-efficient prescribing and medicines use
Support patient-centred care, including discharge planning and medicines optimisation
Offer expert pharmaceutical advice to multidisciplinary teams
Service development & leadership
Lead audit, service improvement, and procurement performance initiatives
Manage, mentor, and develop procurement staff
Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.
We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.
We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.
If you haven’t heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probation. Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Professional responsibility
- Lead specialist in procurement - provides leadership and managerial responsibility for the procurement of medicines from pharmacy
- Manages supplier relationships and negotiates contracts with pharmaceutical suppliers
- Manages the intravenous fluid inventory management service contract, including chairing and minuting the contract management board meetings
- Designs, develops and reviews procurement training programmes for trainee pharmacists
- Responsible for the recruitment and retention of staff within procurement
- Responsible for managing and coordinating appraisals and personal development plans for staff managed
- Responsible for ensuring all staff work to the standard operating procedures within procurement
- Leads on the development and implementation of data presentation relating to the pharmacy cost improvement programme
- Leads on the development and implementation of plans in response to significant medicine shortages
Communication & key working relationships
- Provides highly specialised advice to clinicians and pharmacy staff regarding choice of treatment in relation to pharmaceutical procurement and unlicensed medicines
- Interprets legislation and guidance relating to the procurement of medicines and unlicensed medicines use and translates into procedures, policies and training programmes for staff to understand and put into practice
- Works closely with the North West London Consortium for Pharmaceutical Purchasing and represents Trust’s interests in Medicine management
- Communicates with other Trusts’ pharmacy procurement colleagues, pharmaceutical companies, wholesalers and suppliers on complex matters relating to medicines procurement
- Communicates with Regional Medicine Procurement Specialists, Medicines Procurement Supply Chain (MPSC), Quality Assurance Specialists and national strategic groups on highly complex issues of pharmaceutical procurement and medicine management
Please review the attached job description for the full role & responsibilities.
