Head of Pharmacy Buying

The primary role of the Head of Rx Buying is to represent Uniphar Retail and Wholesale as the main point of contact for key Rx manufacturer and supplier relationships. You will be responsible for the development and performance of all sales and margin activities for the retail division. Manage and develop strong relationships with ethical drug manufacturers and work cross functionally with Uniphar Wholesale always championing the one Uniphar approach.

Role Responsibilities

• Contribute to the Uniphar Rx and own brand strategy and work with key stakeholders in the wider Uniphar Group to develop a long-term plan for the supply of medicines to the Uniphar retail pharmacy network.
• Lead the business in relation to margin leakage around buying compliance and train and support the store operations teams in terms of education and compliance.
• Define the strategic buying strategy and roadmap to source/deliver Rx branded and generic portfolios in line with category growth opportunities.
• Nurture supplier relationships to drive long term sustainable growth partnerships.
• Negotiate the best-in-class JBP and trading terms while establishing robust buying systems and disciplines. Achieve budgeted margin, LTA and other relevant buying revenue streams, including identifying marketing opportunities as .
• Identify and present market and product growth opportunities with appropriate level of detailed business cases.
• Work cross functionally with the retail, wholesale and On-demand buying teams to drive group supplier synergies.
• Drive the system development of the Head Office Dispensary and Optimum buying platforms to meet the changing needs of the business.
• Manage the data stack within retail pharmacy and drive the commercial insights across the wider retail operations, regulatory and finance teams to deliver value for the business.
• Develop and champion a suite of KPI's around Rx buying and compliance at store level.
• Build a close working relationship with the Life board.
• Work with and support the Link Up Gold operational teams to create a best in class buying group for ICP's.
• Work closely with the retail store operations and wider management teams to ensure compliance and communication to/from retail partners.
• Identify and select new products/manufacturers and suppliers.
• Build robust order/forecasting based on sales analysis and future growth. Analyze market trends in order to for-see potential shortages within the market.
• Preparation of annual budgets to execute the buying/selling strategy. Rationalize where relevant the existing supplier base to support the buying/selling strategy.
• Working closely with the wider commercial and procurement teams to ensure structured engagement with all key suppliers while achieving necessary business alignment to deliver Operational, Commercial & Financial KPIs.

Key Skills, Experiences & Competencies

• A minimum of 10 years commercial experience within the pharmacy or wider retail market.
• Multi-Site Retail or wholesale experience delivering commercial results
• Third level qualification in Buying or business-related discipline
• Experience in incorporating a financial and strategic perspective to procurement policies
• Have strong people management and influencing skills.
• Be a high achiever with determination and drive to succeed.
• Capable of driving business profitability by implementing good business controls.
• Excellent communication, planning, organization and analytical skills.
• Organized, flexible, motivated and a hard-working leader.
• Strong leadership and influential skills.
• Understand key drivers within retail pharmacy buying decision making.
• Open to change in a fast-moving industry.
• A passion for achievement; integrity and drive with a strong desire to make things happen.

Additional Information

The role is based in Dublin or UK there will be a need for regular face-to-face interactions. There is the opportunity for flexibility in terms of hybrid working. In return for your flexibility, you will be joining an environment that understands how inter-twined work and life have become - and both the benefits and challenges that brings - and therefore offers a flexible, progressive way of supporting it.