Inventory System Lead – Private Hospital
Northwood Hospital – Bristol
Northwood Hospital is looking for a highly organised and proactive Inventory System Lead to take ownership of our clinical stock, surgical consumables, implants and inventory management processes.
This is a key operational role within our hospital and will work closely with the Theatre Manager, theatre team, clinical staff, consultants, procurement teams and suppliers to make sure everything needed for our surgical lists is available, prepared and ready when required.
A particularly important part of this role will be taking responsibility for surgical case picking and preparation. You will ensure that the correct consumables and implants are picked and prepared in advance for every surgical case, helping our theatre teams deliver safe, efficient patient care.
The Role
As Inventory System Lead, you will take day-to-day responsibility for inventory and clinical supplies across Northwood Hospital, including our two operating theatres, Inpatient Ward and Medi bays, supporting a range of surgical specialties including plastics, general and orthopaedics, as well as stock required for external consultants.
You will be responsible for maintaining accurate stock levels, coordinating orders and deliveries, managing high-cost implants and ensuring that surgical lists are appropriately prepared.
Surgical Picks & Case Preparation
A core responsibility of this position will be ensuring that our operating theatres are fully prepared for upcoming surgical cases.
You will:
- Take ownership of completing the surgical pick for planned surgical case.
- Review upcoming operating lists and identify the consumables, specialist items and implants required for each procedure.
- Pick and prepare all required surgical consumables and implants in advance of the operating list.
- Ensure the correct products, quantities, sizes and specifications are available where applicable.
- Check expiry dates and the condition of products prior to use.
- Work closely with the Theatre Manager, theatre practitioners, surgeons and suppliers to confirm procedure-specific requirements.
- Identify missing or unavailable items early and take action to source them.
- Escalate any potential stock or implant issues that could affect a surgical list.
- Ensure implants and high-cost items are available and appropriately managed for each case.
Inventory & Stock Management
You will also be responsible for:
- Ordering, receiving, storing and distributing surgical consumables and clinical supplies.
- Maintaining accurate stock records using the hospital's inventory management system.
- Coordinating the ordering and delivery of high-cost clinical implants and specialist consumables.
- Checking deliveries for accuracy, quantity and condition.
- Maintaining appropriate minimum and maximum stock levels.
- Carrying out regular stock rotation to minimise expiry and waste.
- Undertaking scheduled stock counts and cycle counts.
- Supporting annual and biannual inventory audits.
- Monitoring stock usage and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary expenditure.
- Maintaining organised, clean and efficient clinical storage areas.
- Liaising with suppliers and arranging couriers and the return of supplier containers or equipment where required.
- Investigating and appropriately recording inventory-related incidents or discrepancies.
- Working collaboratively with clinical, procurement and supply-chain colleagues across the hospital.
About You
We are looking for someone who is exceptionally organised, proactive and detail-focused.
You will understand that in a surgical environment, having the correct item available at the correct time is critical. You should be comfortable taking ownership of your area, planning ahead and resolving potential supply problems before they affect an operating list.
Essential
- Previous NHS experience in a similar inventory, materials management or supply-chain role.
- Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail.
- Experience managing clinical stock or consumables.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Confidence working with both clinical and non-clinical teams.
- Ability to prioritise workload and plan ahead.
- Ability to maintain accurate electronic inventory records.
- Understanding of confidentiality and data protection requirements.
- A proactive approach to identifying and resolving stock issues.
Desirable
- Previous experience working within operating theatres or a surgical environment.
- Experience preparing or coordinating surgical case picks.
- Experience managing high-cost surgical implants.
- Experience supporting multiple surgical specialties.
- Experience using the Sortly inventory management system.
- Experience undertaking stock audits and cycle counts.
- Experience working directly with medical device, implant and surgical suppliers.
- Experience supporting external consultants and third-party suppliers.
Why Join Northwood Hospital?
This is an opportunity to take ownership of an important function within a growing private hospital.
Rather than simply processing stock orders, you will become an integral part of our theatre operation. Your work will directly support our surgical teams by ensuring that the correct consumables and implants are available and prepared for every patient and every procedure.
We are looking for someone who enjoys organisation, takes pride in maintaining excellent standards and wants the opportunity to develop and shape an effective inventory and surgical-picking system within the hospital.
Job Title: Inventory System Lead
Location: Northwood Hospital, Bristol
Reports to: Theatre Manager
If you have experience in clinical inventory or NHS supply-chain services and would like to take on a role with significant responsibility and direct involvement in supporting surgical services, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Apply through Indeed with your CV and details of your relevant experience.
Pay: £27,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
