Assistant Procurement Officer (EPPP)

About the team

NHS Scotland is dedicated to building a workplace that values equality, diversity, and inclusion, and it actively works to prevent unlawful discrimination. The organisation wants a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, where every team member feels respected and able to contribute fully. Applications are welcomed from people across all parts of society.

Support from AI tools such as ChatGPT or Copilot may be used for planning or checking your application, but any response you submit must be genuinely your own. Applications that appear to rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm that your answers are based on your own knowledge, experience, and achievements.

This role sits within NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service, in the Pharmacologistics Team at the Lauriston Building. NHS Lothian serves Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian, covering a population of around 900,000. It is the second largest health system in NHS Scotland and one of only four teaching boards, with partnerships across universities, local authorities, and integration joint boards. The service delivers primary care, community-based care, acute hospital services, and regional and national services across multiple clinical specialties.

The Pharmacy & Medicines Service aims to provide clinically led, person-centred care so patients across Lothian receive the greatest possible benefit from their medicines and pharmacy services. The team is also focused on creating an environment where staff can grow, develop, and use their skills effectively.

Role summary

You will work as an Assistant Procurement Officer on a permanent 1.0 WTE post, based at the Lauriston Building, for 36 hours per week under Band 3.

The salary range for the role is £29,103 to £31,409.

What you will do

• Support the purchase of hospital medicines so orders are placed with approved suppliers and delivered within the required timescales for the expanding Purchasing & Invoicing service.
• Work with suppliers to identify, investigate, and record supply issues, and make sure relevant pharmacy staff are kept informed.
• Carry out day-to-day administrative tasks such as scanning, photocopying, filing, and updating stockholding records.

What we are looking for

The ideal candidate will be motivated, enthusiastic, and able to work independently within agreed schedules. You should hold SVQ Level 2 with at least one unit in Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a level 5 SCQF / National 5 qualification, or the General Pharmaceutical Council standard of competence for pharmacy support staff.

Skills and qualities

• Strong attention to detail
• Good organisational ability
• Basic computer literacy
• Comfort using Microsoft Outlook for email checking
• Ability to scan and handle documents accurately
• Capacity to work well under pressure
• Effective time management
• Flexibility in approach to work
• Self-motivation and enthusiasm

Why apply

• This is an opportunity to take on a fresh challenge within a Pharmacy team.
• You will contribute to a developing team that is moving towards centralised purchasing across all hospitals in NHS Lothian.
• You will work with the Purchasing and Invoicing team and the wider Pharmacologistics team.
• The role offers the chance to use your initiative while working to established schedules.

Additional information

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom, and this must be confirmed through the UK Visa and Immigration Service. NHS Scotland boards have responsibilities for checking this requirement, and candidates also have responsibilities in relation to it.

The employer expects strong interest in this vacancy and may close it early once enough applications have been received, so candidates should submit their application as soon as possible.

Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled candidates, as well as for applicants with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent, in line with recruitment policy and practice.

For further information or to arrange a visit and meet the team, contact Susanne Lamb, Purchasing and Invoicing Pharmacy Technician Team Leader, by email at Susanne.Lamb@nhs.scot.