Procurement Specialist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a proactive Procurement Specialist to join the Medicines Manufacturing Centre (MMC)—a cutting-edge NHS pharmaceutical production facility based in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland. The MMC is in its final design stages. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a pioneering NHS manufacturing facility, supporting a leadership team committed to quality, innovation, and patient care.

All employees of the Medicine Manufacturing Centre (MMC) are currently employed by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, under Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions. Should the service be transferred into alternative ownership, those employees with start dates prior to the transfer date, will be protected under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE). Therefore, employees will transfer to the new employer on the same terms and conditions, which are protected and the employees’ continuity of employment is preserved.

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received.

Main duties of the job

To support procurement and sourcing activities within a GMP-compliant medicines manufacturing facility, ensuring the timely and cost-effective supply of goods and services.

The primary focus of the role is procurement sourcing, supplier management, and contract compliance.

The post holder will work flexibly across customer service, procurement, supply chain and administration functions to support service continuity, providing cross-cover where required while maintaining clear accountability for their core area of responsibility.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Support sourcing exercises, quotation processes, supplier evaluations and market assessments in line with policies.
• Lead procurement of materials, consumables, equipment, and services
• Raise and manage purchase orders in line with policy and procedures
• Ensure compliance with NHS procurement regulations and GMP requirements
• Contribute to continuity planning and mitigation of supply shortages
• Support supplier onboarding and new product introduction (NPI) processes
• Monitor supplier performance, delivery performance, and supply risks
• Ensure procurement activities comply with GMP, NHS procurement regulations, and internal policies
• Support contract management, including tracking service levels and performance metrics
• Undertake market analysis and benchmarking to support value-for-money decisions.
• Act as the primary point of contact for supplier performance, commercial queries and procurement-related issues.
• Develop and maintain effective supplier relationships to support quality, cost and continuity objectives and resolve supply issues.
• Escalate supplier performance concerns and support corrective action planning
• Work collaboratively across customer service, supply chain, procurement and admin support functions to support continuity of service