Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent: Full Time
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 043-PST011-0925
- Employer
- NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Imperial Park Unit 5
- Town
- Newport
- Salary
- £56,514 - £63,623 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 02/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Responsible Person for Pharmaceutical Wholesale Dealing
Band 8a
If you are looking to join NWSSP, please see the additional information below that may be of interest to you: -
Our “Benefits” video has been created to highlight and showcase some of the benefits of working for the NHS and NWSSP:- https://youtu.be/zX3x046SDhg
The “Tops Tips – Be Yourself” video has been designed to support candidates applying for roles with NWSSP. We have outlined 8 key steps to help candidates articulate their capabilities and experience when completing applications with NWSSP. https://youtu.be/qe3ibY8b6m4
Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh. Any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English
Job overview
We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced individual to take on the role of Responsible Person (RP) for NWSSP Pharmacy’s Wholesale Dealer’s Licence. This role will lead the wholesale distribution of medicinal products in accordance with EU Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and Directive 2001/83/EC, ensuring the integrity and quality of medicines throughout the supply chain.
The successful candidate will:
- Oversee all activities under the Wholesale Distribution Authorisation (WDA), including procurement, storage, and supply of medicinal products such as those used in National Vaccine Programmes.
- Develop and manage a robust pharmaceutical quality system, incorporating quality management principles to prevent falsified medicines from entering the legal supply chain.
- Ensure full compliance with regulatory standards while maintaining product quality and patient safety.
- Lead and manage a dedicated team delivering services under the WDA licence.
This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in safeguarding public health through the secure and compliant distribution of medicines.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Main duties of the job
To act as the “Responsible person” named on NWSSP Pharmacy Wholesale dealers’ licence for the Good Distribution Practice of medicinal products for human use.
To lead on and deliver the wholesale distribution of medicinal products service with an integrated supply chain management under EU Article 84 and Article 85b (3) of Directive 2001/83/EC.
To lead on and deliver all activities consisting of procuring, holding, supplying medicinal products under the Wholesale Distribution Authorisation (WDA) licence e.g. National Vaccine Programmes.
To lead on the creation and then manage a pharmaceutical quality system incorporating quality management principles to support the regulated licensed activity preventing falsified medicines from entering the legal supply chain, controlling the distribution chain and consequently maintaining the quality and the integrity of medicinal products.
To manage a team of staff to undertake activities under the services WDA.
Working for our organisation
At NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership we expect everyone to embrace our values of Listening and Learning, Working Together, Taking Responsibility and Innovating.
Our organisation encourages an agile working approach and we pride ourselves on being a learning organisation motivated by continuous improvement.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion, focussing on the wellbeing and belonging of our people.
Excellent customer service is something we strive for, for both our internal and external customers.
Offering a comprehensive benefits package, there is something for everyone. To find out more about working for us, the benefits we offer and guidance on the application process please visit https://nwssp.nhs.wales/working-for-us/
NWSSP work in an agile way where possible, all posts will have a contractual base but as part of agile ways of working that may mean working from home and other locations. We also look at how we balance flexibility with community, and how to manage opportunities to learn from each other.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.
Key responsibilities include:
- Regulatory Leadership: Overseeing WDA operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining the pharmaceutical quality management system.
- Quality Assurance (QA): Developing and managing QA systems, documentation, audits, and validation processes to meet GDP standards.
- Operational Planning: Managing service capacity, resources, staffing, and equipment to support wholesale dealing activities.
- Risk Management: Investigating product deviations, managing temperature excursions, and ensuring corrective actions are implemented.
- Policy & System Development: Creating and implementing policies, procedures, and digital solutions to support WDA services and national QA initiatives.
- Communication & Collaboration: Liaising with healthcare professionals, suppliers, and national stakeholders to ensure safe and compliant medicine distribution.
- Staff Management: Recruiting, training, and supervising QA staff, ensuring competency and adherence to quality standards.
- Strategic Oversight: Leading national initiatives such as defect reporting, unlicensed medicine reviews, and procurement QA systems.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Relevant post-qualification WDA/QA/GMP experience providing NHS Aseptic services or within an MHRA licensed unit
- Experience of Quality Risk Management (QRM)
- Experience of managing a team of people
Desirable criteria
- Experience of interacting with regulatory bodies (e.g. MHRA)
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- PTQA or STP or relevant knowledge and practical experience to postgraduate level
- Registered with relevant professional body (or eligible)
Desirable criteria
- Training qualification/accreditation
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Welsh language skills are desirable
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Rhys Hamer
- Job title
- Head of Production
- Email address
- [email protected]
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