About The Organisation
National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national NHS Board operating right at the heart of NHSScotland providing invaluable support and advice at a strategic and operational level. NSS supports customers to deliver their services more efficiently and effectively and we offer shared services on a national scale using best-in-class systems and standards. Our priority is always the same – to improve the health and well-being of the people of Scotland. We do this by working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit for purpose solutions and systems, delivering high quality services that help our stakeholders to free up resources so they can be re-invested into essential services.The Post
We have a unique opportunity for a pharmacy or procurement professional with significant experience in purchasing or supply to join the National Procurement Medicines Team and play an important role in ensuring patient access to medicines in Scotland.The role involves working closely with a diverse range of suppliers, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS stakeholders to support both the reactive communication and management of medicines shortages and to proactively influence improvements in supply chain resilience, for example working with suppliers to review key performance indicators and to progress improvement plans.The postholder will lead work to strengthen National Procurement’s links with pharmaceutical distributors and will be responsible for managing a number of projects relating to the efficient and effective purchasing and supply of medicines. This includes working to influence the development of available reporting systems to support managing supply and monitoring contract implementation.The post-holder will provide expert advice to NHS Scotland, Scottish Government and other organisations as required on issues related to medicines purchasing and supply and act as the professional secretary to the NHS Scotland Medicines Purchasing and Logistics Leadership group.The Candidate
The post-holder is commercially aware and should be a strategic thinker and problem solver, have excellent organisation, communication and influencing skills, attention to detail and be able to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.The post-holder will also demonstrate personal qualities consistent with NHS National Services Scotland’s values to work together with respect and care, openness and integrity, to focus on our customers, demonstrate commitment to each other and excel and improve.Location and Working Pattern:
National Procurement has offices in Edinburgh (Gyle Square) and in Larkhall (National Distribution Centre), and the organisation will support hybrid ways of working between offices and home.Monday to Friday, 37 hours per weekIt is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NSS.Benefits
Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. HR Benefits Brochure.Inclusion
NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national board and, as an anchor institution
, it is our ambition to be a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels welcome. We recognise that flexible working
creates an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and feel confident about their ability to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. NSS has made a long-term commitment to staff health and well-being and offers many learning and development opportunities
to support and improve our approaches to diversity, inclusion and mental health in the workplace. There are a number of equality staff networks
in place which all staff are welcome to join. We are also an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantee to interview all disabled applicants
who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As an accredited Disability Confident Leader
, it is the aim of NSS to offer a fully accessible and inclusive recruitment service that supports applicants on their candidate journey. If you are interested in any reasonable adjustments
, please contact the Recruitment Team on NSS.wfrs@nhs.scotFurther Information
If you’ve never considered a role like this before, why not explore it and see if it might be for you? For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Lindsay McClure
, Associate Director of Medicines Pricing and Supply on 07717 468776 or lindsay.mcclure@nhs.scotClosing date for completed applications is 26th September 2025.
Further information on NSS is available from: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).NHS National Services Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and as committed participant in the disability confident scheme, guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.
