Role Overview
The Area Manager will be a key member of our head office operations team, taking full end-to-end ownership of a portfolio of approximately 12 UK community pharmacies. This is a high-impact role for an experienced pharmacy operations professional who thrives in a multi-site environment and is passionate about operational excellence, commercial performance, and outstanding patient care.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Management
- Own end-to-end operations across ~12 community pharmacies, ensuring each branch delivers against service, compliance, and quality standards.
- Drive the implementation of group-wide policies, SOPs, and best practice frameworks across the portfolio.
- Monitor branch KPIs including dispensing accuracy, prescription volumes, and staff productivity — and respond with clear action plans.
- Lead on branch openings, relocations, or service changes within the portfolio.
- Identify and resolve operational issues proactively, escalating where appropriate.
Commercial & P&L Accountability
- Take full accountability for the commercial performance of the pharmacy portfolio, including revenue, margin, and cost control.
- Analyse branch-level P&L reports, identify variances, and implement improvement plans for underperforming branches.
- Drive revenue growth through enhanced services (Pharmacy First, NMS, EPS) and OTC optimisation.
- Monitor NHS contract compliance and dispensing efficiency to protect and grow income.
- Partner with finance to manage budgets, forecasts, and cost-saving initiatives.
People Leadership & Development
- Provide visible, values-led leadership to pharmacy managers and their teams.
- Coach and develop pharmacy managers to build high-performing, capable branch teams.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and retention of branch staff in collaboration with HR.
- Lead performance reviews and manage employee relations matters across the portfolio.
Compliance & Regulatory
- Ensure all pharmacies in the portfolio comply with GPhC standards, NHS contractual obligations, and internal governance frameworks.
- Act as the primary contact for regulatory inspections, audits, and compliance reviews.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of CQC, MHRA, and NHS England requirements.
- Oversee safe and effective medicines management, including controlled drugs compliance.
Patient Experience
- Champion a patient-first culture, ensuring consistently high standards of care at every branch.
- Monitor patient feedback and complaints, ensuring swift resolution and embedded learning.
- Support the rollout of enhanced and advanced pharmacy services to improve clinical outcomes.
Person Specification
Essential
- Significant multi-site operations or management experience in community pharmacy or a related healthcare/pharmacy retail environment.
- Demonstrable P&L management experience with a clear track record of commercial delivery across multiple locations.
- Strong people leadership skills — experienced in coaching, managing, and developing site-level managers.
- In-depth knowledge of GPhC standards, NHS pharmacy contracts, and UK community pharmacy regulation.
- Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills across a broad portfolio.
- Strong analytical ability — confident interpreting KPI dashboards, financials, and operational data.
- Full UK driving licence with willingness to travel regularly across branch locations.
Desirable
- MPharm degree, GPhC registration, or other relevant healthcare qualification.
- Prior experience working within a pharmacy group of 20+ branches at head office level.
- Familiarity with pharmacy systems (e.g. Apotec, Cegedim Services platform).
- Experience leading operational change or transformation programmes.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Performance-related bonus scheme
- Company car or car allowance
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Company pension scheme
- Continuous professional development and genuine career progression
- A collaborative, supportive head office environment within a growing 50-branch group
Pay: £55,000.00-£65,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
