Dispensary Manager

• Lead, manage and support dispensary staff across both sites, maintaining an approachable, professional and supportive management style.
• Build a unified dispensary team, encouraging collaboration, positive working relationships and consistent standards across Ninfield and Alfriston.
• Manage staffing, rotas, annual leave, recruitment involvement, induction, appraisals, one-to-ones and day-to-day performance.
• Identify training and development needs, support staff progression and maintain appropriate competency records.
• Address day-to-day staffing and performance concerns, managing difficult conversations and resistance to change constructively.
• Promote a positive, resilient and solution-focused working culture, seeking Practice Management support for complex or formal HR matters.

• Oversee the daily running of both dispensaries, including workload allocation, staffing, service continuity and dispensing workflows.
• Maintain a regular, meaningful and visible management presence at Ninfield and Alfriston, ensuring both sites receive consistent leadership and support.
• Ensure safe and consistent processes for prescriptions, medication ordering, owing medication and patient queries.
• Provide hands-on dispensing support when required while protecting sufficient time for management, appraisals, training, governance and service development.
• Take ownership of operational challenges, resolve problems proactively and escalate significant clinical or safety concerns appropriately.
• Take time to understand how both dispensaries operate, identifying opportunities to improve staffing arrangements, workflows and efficiency in collaboration with Practice Management.

• Lead dispensary governance and coordinate compliance with the Dispensary Services Quality Scheme (DSQS).
• Develop, review and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring staff understand and follow them.
• Oversee audits, incident and near-miss reporting, medicines recalls, stock expiry checks and relevant controlled-drug procedures.
• Promote patient safety, accountability, learning and continuous improvement.
• Work with GPs and other authorised professionals on clinical matters, required approvals and governance requirements.

• Oversee purchasing, ordering, stock control, storage and stock rotation across both dispensaries.
• Monitor stock levels, reduce waste and identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency and profitability.
• Review supplier arrangements and dispensing performance, providing relevant information and recommendations to Practice Management and GP Partners.
• Work within agreed budgets and financial controls, obtaining approval for significant expenditure.

• Support the continued implementation and optimisation of ProScript Connect alongside EMIS Web.
• Demonstrate a willingness and ability to learn new systems, technologies and working practices.
• Explore opportunities involving Golden Tote, AI, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and other digital solutions to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Lead agreed improvement projects, supporting staff through change and addressing challenges constructively.
• Evaluate potential developments, including home medication delivery and alternative purchasing arrangements, subject to appropriate approval.

• Support the management of patient concerns and complaints relating to dispensing.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with relevant information governance, safeguarding and equality policies.
• Maintain professional competence and undertake continuing professional development.
• Work flexibly between Ninfield and Alfriston, maintaining effective communication with both Practice Management teams and GP Partners.
• Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role.

Essential

• Recognised dispensing qualification, minimum NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent.
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above, or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to dispensing or management.

Desirable

• Management or leadership qualification, such as ILM or CMI.
• NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent.
• Relevant training in staff supervision, dispensary governance or service improvement.

Essential

• Significant experience working in a GP practice dispensary or pharmacy dispensing environment.
• Proven management or leadership experience, including responsibility for supervising staff, conducting appraisals and managing performance.
• Experience of managing day-to-day operations, including staffing, rotas, workload allocation and service delivery.
• Experience of dispensing safety, governance and compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Experience of stock management, purchasing, stock control and reducing waste.
• Experience of resolving operational problems, taking initiative and making independent decisions.
• Experience of working effectively with senior management and other healthcare professionals.
• Demonstrable ability to lead and motivate staff, manage challenges constructively and support positive change.

Desirable

• Previous experience managing a GP practice dispensary, ideally across multiple sites.
• Experience of DSQS compliance, dispensary audits and developing SOPs.
• Experience of using EMIS Web and ProScript Connect.
• Experience of introducing new dispensing systems, AI, robotic automation or other digital technologies.
• Experience of managing budgets, monitoring profitability and improving financial performance.
• Experience of working with pharmaceutical wholesalers or purchasing schemes such as Golden Tote.
• Experience of leading improvement projects, managing change and developing services.
• Experience of supporting staff through dispensing qualifications and competency assessments.