What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Warehouse Operative position at Freeman Hospital?
Employer heading
Senior Warehouse Operative
PPU Range 3
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 15,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.6 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country, supporting people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts each day, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
We are looking for a reliable, conscientious and practical individual to work within our team based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital.
Newcastle Specials/Production Services is housed in the purpose built Production and Quality Control facility on the Royal Victoria Infirmary site with a Cytotoxic Dispensing Unit based on NCCC, Freeman Hospital.
A core team of twelve Pharmacists and over seventy Technical and support staff provide the Pharmacy Production Service across the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman hospital sites. The specialist services provided comprise a range of activities from non-sterile manufacture of Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs) to the aseptic dispensing of chemotherapy. A wide range of specialist GMP equipment is also in operation across all facilities.
Main duties of the job
You will join our large team of staff working in busy department providing an efficient pharmaceutical service to patients. Based in the Pharmacy Production Unit Store, your main duties will include overseeing and carrying out tasks including receipt, stock management, appropriate storage and distribution of pharmaceutical starting materials and finished products. You will participate in efficient handling and accuracy checking of customer order in accordance with SOP’s and GDP. You will use a range of pharmacy and NHS ordering and supply chains, to maintain efficient stock holding, and avoid unnecessary waste. You will also be expected to support Business Office and general admin activities. Applicant must hold GCSE’s (minimum Grade 4 or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics or have Pharmacy Production Store experience. They must have experience of working in a busy store environment, have good verbal and written communication skills and be able to demonstrate good customer care skills. Candidates must also have excellent keyboard skills as the role involves admin activities.
A GPhC Level 2 qualification is desirable for the post, or the successful candidate must commence study within 6 months of appointment.
Working for our organisation
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Lisa Hunter-Blair Job title Operations Manager Production & Preparation Email address lisa.hunter-blair@nhs.net Telephone number 01912825030
Senior Warehouse Operative
PPU Range 3
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 15,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.6 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country, supporting people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts each day, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
We are looking for a reliable, conscientious and practical individual to work within our team based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital.
Newcastle Specials/Production Services is housed in the purpose built Production and Quality Control facility on the Royal Victoria Infirmary site with a Cytotoxic Dispensing Unit based on NCCC, Freeman Hospital.
A core team of twelve Pharmacists and over seventy Technical and support staff provide the Pharmacy Production Service across the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman hospital sites. The specialist services provided comprise a range of activities from non-sterile manufacture of Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs) to the aseptic dispensing of chemotherapy. A wide range of specialist GMP equipment is also in operation across all facilities.
- Interview Date Wednesday 03 December 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy
Main duties of the job
You will join our large team of staff working in busy department providing an efficient pharmaceutical service to patients. Based in the Pharmacy Production Unit Store, your main duties will include overseeing and carrying out tasks including receipt, stock management, appropriate storage and distribution of pharmaceutical starting materials and finished products. You will participate in efficient handling and accuracy checking of customer order in accordance with SOP’s and GDP. You will use a range of pharmacy and NHS ordering and supply chains, to maintain efficient stock holding, and avoid unnecessary waste. You will also be expected to support Business Office and general admin activities. Applicant must hold GCSE’s (minimum Grade 4 or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics or have Pharmacy Production Store experience. They must have experience of working in a busy store environment, have good verbal and written communication skills and be able to demonstrate good customer care skills. Candidates must also have excellent keyboard skills as the role involves admin activities.
A GPhC Level 2 qualification is desirable for the post, or the successful candidate must commence study within 6 months of appointment.
Working for our organisation
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
- Freeman Hospital
- Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
- Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
- Newcastle Dental Hospital
- Newcastle Fertility Centre
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
- Northern Genetics Service
- Cramlington Manor Walks
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
- To carry out the full range of Senior Warehouse Operative duties including, overseeing and carrying out routine procedures in ordering, stock management, appropriate storage, and distribution of pharmaceutical starting materials and finished products having successfully completed the in-house competency-based training programme that encompasses the concepts of Quality Assurance, GDP and current licencing regulations.
- Using pharmacy, Trust and NHS ordering systems and supply chains, to ensure starting materials are ordered and received in a timely manner to ensure consistent supply to the Pharmacy Production Unit.
- Daily communication with multidisciplinary range of internal and external procurement personnel regarding orders, supply and stock issues and discrepancies.
- Oversees and participates in the efficient handling and accuracy checking of internal and external customer orders.
- Liaise directly with patients and Homecare Service users, regarding delivery and collection of pharmaceutical products, consumables and waste.
- Coordinates and participates in stock check programme within Production Stores.
- Ensures documentation is completed accurately and efficiently in accordance with local SOP’s and licencing regulations. To ensure appropriate storage of documentation for required retention period, both on site and off.
- Provides technical support to including carrying out routine and complex investigations into stock shortages and identifies alternate suppliers, often at short notice and to a tight deadline.
- Supports quality systems by participating in Pharmacy Production Unit error and adverse event recording and investigation.
- Deliver specific aspects of training to Warehouse Operative staff, as defined by Section Lead Business and Logistics.
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
- GCSE (Min. Grade 4 or equivalent) in Mathematics and English Language OR previous hospital Pharmacy Production Store experience
- GPhC approved level 2 qualification specific to the role or must commence study within 6 months of appointment
- Production induction period of four weeks and initial training period of six months to gain practical experience of work activities (routine duties) and a working knowledge of standard operating procedures
- Completion of in-house competency-based training
Essential criteria
- Experience of working in a store’s environment
- Experience of working in a busy environment
- Must meet General Pharmaceutical Council guidelines which states pharmacy support staff must be able to demonstrate a range of work procedures and practices with base level of theoretical knowledge and understanding of the duties carried out within the role
- Knowledge of temperature monitoring
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical receipt, storage and distribution
- Awareness of the importance of Health and Safety in the workplace
- Theoretical knowledge and practical experience of Good Distribution Practice
- Awareness of COSHH and health and safety in the workplace
- Experience in a pharmaceutical production environment
Essential criteria
- An ability to follow written standard operating procedures
- Excellent keyboard skills
- Good training skills
- Effective organisational skills
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Good customer care skills
- Able to manage own workload and use own initiative
- Ability to work accurately
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
- Senior Warehouse Operative (PDF, 124.5KB)
- Newcastle Staff Benefits (PDF, 274.4KB)
- Behaviour and Civility Charter (PDF, 93.8KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Lisa Hunter-Blair Job title Operations Manager Production & Preparation Email address lisa.hunter-blair@nhs.net Telephone number 01912825030
