Procurement Manager

Job overview

The Procurement Manager will play a key leadership role in the delivery of a GMP-compliant NHS manufacturing facility at the Northumbria Healthcare Medicines Manufacturing Centre (MMC).

This role is responsible for the end-to-end procurement function, including sourcing, supplier qualification, contract management, and customer service activities to ensure the timely, compliant, and cost-effective acquisition of materials and services.

The successful candidate will lead a multidisciplinary team and act as the main point of contact for procurement across the regional Provider Collaborative, supporting the MMC’s manufacturing licence, wholesale authorisation, and regulatory readiness.

The postholder will drive the development of scalable procurement systems that safeguard the NHS supply chain for unlicensed medicines, contributing directly to patient safety and service continuity.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the procurement, administration, and customer service teams to deliver compliant, value-driven supply solutions for the MMC.
• Manage supplier onboarding, Bonafide checks, and contract compliance in accordance with GMP, GDP, and NHS procurement frameworks.
• Oversee procurement of raw materials, packaging, consumables, and contracted services in support of licensed and unlicensed manufacturing.
• Act as the primary procurement liaison between the MMC and NHS “spoke” hospitals across the North East and North Cumbria.
• Support MHRA inspections and internal audits by ensuring procurement documentation and supplier records meet regulatory expectations.
• Deliver continuous improvement in procurement performance through data analysis, supplier engagement, and team development.
• Manage procurement budgets, authorise spend within agreed thresholds, and identify opportunities for cost improvement or risk mitigation.
• Contribute to the MMC’s strategic goals by developing future-proof procurement systems and participating in collaborative NHS procurement initiatives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Procurement Manager will lead the development and implementation of procurement systems, supplier governance processes, and service infrastructure to support the Medicines Manufacturing Centre (MMC). This includes overseeing supplier qualification activities such as Bonafide checks, compliance documentation, and ongoing performance reviews to ensure alignment with GMP and GDP principles.

The role involves close collaboration with cross-functional departments such as Quality, Production, Finance, R&D, and Warehouse to ensure procurement strategies are fully integrated into operational planning. The postholder will represent the MMC in external forums including NHS procurement networks and the Commercial Medicines Unit, contributing to the implementation of regional frameworks and shared sourcing models.

A key aspect of the role is team development, ensuring all procurement, admin, and customer service staff are trained, competent, and aligned to the MMC’s quality system. The manager will oversee SOP development, contribute to audit readiness, and lead on supply chain risk management, including contingency planning and deviation handling.

The Procurement Manager is also expected to:

• Lead internal and external procurement audits, inspections, and investigations
• Develop performance dashboards and KPIs for procurement, stockholding, and supplier delivery metrics
• Manage digital procurement systems (e.g., PowerGate, Unit 4), ensuring data accuracy and staff proficiency
• Collaborate with IT and Finance to automate workflows, improve reporting, and enhance traceability
• Contribute to long-term commercial planning, stock forecasting, and infrastructure scaling for the MMC’s Manufacturer’s Specials Licence and Wholesale Dealer’s Authorisation
• Promote a culture of learning, improvement, and collaboration both within the MMC and across the wider Provider Collaborative

This post requires a high level of autonomy, decision-making, and leadership capability to maintain a compliant and resilient procurement function that underpins the safe manufacture and delivery of patient-critical medicines.