Digital - Pharmacy Operations Manager

Overview of the role Pharmacy Operations Manager Overview

We are seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day running of one of the UK's largest Distance Selling Pharmacies (DSP). Based within a national warehouse facility, this role operates at the intersection of healthcare and high-volume fulfilment - combining the regulatory rigour of a pharmacy with the pace, scale, and complexity of a logistics environment.

This is a senior operational leadership role responsible for managing the smooth running of the end-to-end pharmacy operation, ensuring we maintain high standards across safety, efficiency, service levels, and compliance. The successful candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams across the wider business and play a vital part in shaping how we deliver pharmacy care at scale.

The operation processes over 150,000 items per month
, servicing multiple streams including direct-to-patient prescriptions, care homes, prisons, weight management, online doctor services
, and more. This is a diverse, fast-moving environment that rewards strategic thinking, people leadership, and operational agility.

Operational Leadership

• Oversee the delivery of pharmacy operations across multiple service streams and shift patterns (Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 6am-2pm)
• Ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations in line with GPhC, MHRA, and NHS regulations
• Lead and support a team of Team Managers and shift leads to deliver daily KPIs and service-level agreements (SLAs)
• Act as the escalation point for operational challenges, working proactively to resolve issues as they arise
• Continuously review and improve workflows to optimise throughput and maintain service quality

Strategic & Project Support

• Provide expert operational insight into business and project planning
• Partner with internal stakeholders (e.g. IT, Projects, Marketing, Automation) to support the successful delivery of new services, systems, or improvements
• Plan for high-impact periods (e.g. bank holidays, seasonal peaks) to ensure business continuity
• Identify opportunities for innovation or automation, leading on change initiatives where appropriate

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the go-to contact for all operational pharmacy queries across the business
• Work closely with the Responsible Pharmacist and senior leadership to ensure the wider operation supports the clinical and commercial aims of the pharmacy
• Liaise with suppliers, automation providers, and IT support teams to maintain operational stability and continuous improvement

People & Culture

• Directly manage Team Managers and oversee a large, diverse workforce split across multiple shifts
• Lead on all HR matters relating to pharmacy colleagues, including recruitment, onboarding, development, engagement, and performance management
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, inclusivity, and excellence
• Support succession planning, talent development, and future-proofing of operational leadership

Key Benefits of the Role

• Strategic Influence at Scale
  Make decisions that impact thousands of patients, across care homes, prisons, and national digital services
• Innovation & Technology Exposure
  Work closely with automated dispensing, robotic tooling, and digital systems that support high-volume operations
• Cross-Department Collaboration
  Gain visibility across IT, logistics, warehouse, governance, commercial, and marketing functions
• Volume Mastery
  Develop unparalleled expertise in managing scalable, lean operations - processing 150k+ items monthly
• Leadership Development
  Hone your skills managing complex teams, workforce planning, and large-scale operations
• No Retail Distractions
  Focus entirely on fulfilment excellence and innovation - no front-of-store duties
• Embedded in National Warehouse
  Benefit from the speed of warehouse-level inbound and outbound flows - faster order turnarounds and improved patient experience
• 2nd Largest Pharmacy in the UK
  Be part of one of the country's most progressive and ambitious pharmacy operations

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience

• Proven leadership experience within operations, ideally in a regulated, high-volume or healthcare…