Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for a proactive and passionate Chemistry Quality Control Manager to join the Medicines Manufacturing Centre (MMC)a cutting-edge NHS pharmaceutical production facility based in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland. The MMC is in its final design stages, with facility construction planned through to September 2025. Initially, staff will be employed by Northumbria Healthcare Foundation NHS Trust, with employment transferring to the Medicines Manufacturing Centre Legal Liability Partnership (LLP) upon its formation under TUPE regulations. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a pioneering NHS manufacturing facility, supporting a leadership team committed to quality, innovation, and patient care. Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received. The Medicines Manufacturing Centre (MMC) is a brand-new, purpose-built NHS pharmaceutical production facility located at the Northumbria Innovation and Manufacturing Hub in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland. This cutting-edge centre is part of the North East and North Cumbria Provider Collaborative and has been established to meet the growing need for high-quality, regionally manufactured Ready-to-Administer medicines and advanced aseptic products. Main duties of the job Lead the implementation of strategies to build a robust, fit-for-purpose QC workforce for chemistry and physical testing. Line manage QC scientists, validation scientists, and physical testers. Ensure the QC chemistry and physical testing equipment is implemented, qualified, serviced, and managed, including overseeing outsourced work. Oversee new product introductions and production processes from a QC perspective. Lead validation scientists on method development, analytical method validation (ICH Q2), technology/method transfer, and QC stability testing (ICH Q1). Manage stability studies and ongoing stability testing, including national studies for NHSE/SPS. Lead QC Reference standards and oversee the testing of raw materials, consumables, packaging, and finished products. Manage QC testing in compliance with pharmacopoeia, environmental monitoring, temperature mapping, and cleaning validation for the MMC facility. Lead pharmaceutical quality systems, handling investigations, root cause analysis, quality risk assessments, and change controls. Monitor QC data recording/trending, KPIs, and data integrity. Collaborate with the QA department to ensure effective supplier approval and material testing oversight. Train QC chemistry lab staff and promote a culture of compassionate, inclusive leadership. Foster a collaborative, team-oriented environment with a focus on quality improvement and continuous learning. About us We manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed, in addition to our state-of-the-art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. We also care for people in their homes and provide services from facilities in local communities such as health centres. We give people greater choice and control over their care to help them to live independently at home and avoid hospital admission where appropriate.High quality patient care is at the heart of everything we do and we strive to ensure every single patient and service user has an exceptional experience with us. We have one of the most extensive patient experience programmes of any trust in England. Funded with £30 million of investment from NHS England, the MMC will support a secure, sustainable supply chain for critical medicines, while creating skilled jobs and driving innovation across the region. The facility is designed to operate under a Manufacturer's Specials Licence (MS) and aims to secure a Wholesale Dealer's Authorisation (WDA(H)), ensuring compliance with MHRA, GMP, and GDP regulations from day one. Date posted 23 April 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year Per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours Reference number 319-7139163LT Job locations Medicines Manufacturing Centre Manufacturing and Innovation Hub Seaton Delaval NE25 0QJ Job description Job responsibilities Job description attached separately At the MMC, quality, patient safety, and staff wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. Our leadership team is committed to building a culture of openness, learning, and continuous improvementoffering staff a rare opportunity to help shape the systems, teams, and values of a truly modern NHS manufacturing unit. Working at the MMC means being part of a forward-thinking and supportive team focused on enabling frontline clinical staff to spend more time with patients by delivering safe, ready-to-use medicines. Its more than a jobits a chance to contribute behind the scenes to better, safer healthcare for all. Job description Job responsibilities Job description attached separately At the MMC, quality, patient safety, and staff wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. Our leadership team is committed to building a culture of openness, learning, and continuous improvementoffering staff a rare opportunity to help shape the systems, teams, and values of a truly modern NHS manufacturing unit. Working at the MMC means being part of a forward-thinking and supportive team focused on enabling frontline clinical staff to spend more time with patients by delivering safe, ready-to-use medicines. Its more than a jobits a chance to contribute behind the scenes to better, safer healthcare for all. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree in relevant scientific discipline e.g. chemistry, pharmacy Eligible to be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), Royal Society for Chemistry (RSC) or Royal Society for Biology (RSB) or Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). Desirable Professional Registration Post graduate qualification in Analytical Chemistry / Pharmaceutical Analysis Post graduate qualification in Quality Assurance Management Qualification Experience Essential QC Professional requires detailed current knowledge of: MHRA Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice, and the British and European pharmacopeial requirements for raw materials, intermediates, and finished products. Post qualification experience in the analytical techniques used in pharmaceutical quality control. Knowledge in the qualification, use and maintenance of laboratory instruments including HPLC, FTIR, UV-VIS, pH, balances. Knowledge of analytical method development and analytical method validation (ICH Q2). Knowledge of developing stability studies as per ICH Q1. Experience of using Quality Management Systems, including, leading out-of-specification investigation, root cause analysis tools, change controls, document management. Knowledge in trending and statistical analysis of data. Knowledge of technical areas of pharmacy, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, procurement, auditing and unlicensed medicines. Desirable Experience in QC testing requirements of sterile medicines - both chemistry and microbiological specifications, in alignment with pharmacopeial requirements and formulation requirements. Experience in Microbiology QC testing e.g. environmental plates reading, Microorganism Identification techniques, media fertility testing, sterility testing Awareness of policies and procedures which impinge on role Evidence of awareness of the NHSE Aseptic Transformation process. Evidence of participating within an MHRA Regulatory inspection Knowledge of or experience in coaching and mentoring practices and tools Detailed knowledge of MHRA Guidance on GxP Data Integrity Requirements, and evidence of application in a GMP environment Experience of managing a team / department Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree in relevant scientific discipline e.g. chemistry, pharmacy Eligible to be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), Royal Society for Chemistry (RSC) or Royal Society for Biology (RSB) or Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). Desirable Professional Registration Post graduate qualification in Analytical Chemistry / Pharmaceutical Analysis Post graduate qualification in Quality Assurance Management Qualification Experience Essential QC Professional requires detailed current knowledge of: MHRA Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice, and the British and European pharmacopeial requirements for raw materials, intermediates, and finished products. Post qualification experience in the analytical techniques used in pharmaceutical quality control. Knowledge in the qualification, use and maintenance of laboratory instruments including HPLC, FTIR, UV-VIS, pH, balances. Knowledge of analytical method development and analytical method validation (ICH Q2). Knowledge of developing stability studies as per ICH Q1. Experience of using Quality Management Systems, including, leading out-of-specification investigation, root cause analysis tools, change controls, document management. Knowledge in trending and statistical analysis of data. Knowledge of technical areas of pharmacy, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, procurement, auditing and unlicensed medicines. Desirable Experience in QC testing requirements of sterile medicines - both chemistry and microbiological specifications, in alignment with pharmacopeial requirements and formulation requirements. Experience in Microbiology QC testing e.g. environmental plates reading, Microorganism Identification techniques, media fertility testing, sterility testing Awareness of policies and procedures which impinge on role Evidence of awareness of the NHSE Aseptic Transformation process. Evidence of participating within an MHRA Regulatory inspection Knowledge of or experience in coaching and mentoring practices and tools Detailed knowledge of MHRA Guidance on GxP Data Integrity Requirements, and evidence of application in a GMP environment Experience of managing a team / department Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Address Medicines Manufacturing Centre Manufacturing and Innovation Hub Seaton Delaval NE25 0QJ Employer's website https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)