Lead Specialist - Manufacturing Development Team

Lead Specialist – Manufacturing Development Team

12 months Fixed Term Role

Job Summary

The NHS Blood & Transplant Manufacturing Development Team is a key team in the Blood Supply chain, performing a wide range of improvement and development projects to support the quality and safety of blood components for transfusion.

You will be required to lead projects, provide expert advice, and generate innovative ideas to support service delivery, principally in the Manufacturing area of the supply chain. Work will usually be conducted as part of a team, but with a significant degree of individual responsibility, it is therefore important that you are able to communicate well, organise your own workload and deliver independently

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities

The primary role is to act as subject matter expert and lead on service and product development within the Manufacturing area of the supply chain, and across other directorates where applicable. Your responsibilities will include:

• Evaluating and generating innovative ideas, supporting, and contributing to the development of strategy and improved service delivery particularly in the Manufacturing area of the supply chain
• Leading on a range of programmes/change and implementation projects addressing standardisation, new ways of working, introduction of new technology, service and product development and improved performance.
• Providing expert advice on standards and specifications for systems, processes, consumables, and equipment and leading on evaluation and procurement processes.
• Developing expertise and providing the primary point of contact for internal and external agencies within a designated area, supporting the operation in the maintenance of quality.
• Maintaining a thorough working knowledge of practices, procurement, licensing, and regulatory requirements in all areas associated with blood component collection, manufacture, distribution and use.
• Deputising for Manufacturing Development Team Assistant Heads of Function as required.
  
  
  

In summary, Lead Specialists own several process and product development lifecycles from the discovery phase through analysis, adoption, development, implementation, and post market surveillance, delivering projects on time and to budget, operating independently but with support and guidance.

About You

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience of managing projects, change management, service redesign and delivery of change.
• Experience in risk management, process qualification and change control
• Thorough knowledge of transfusion science, Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Laboratory Practice, Operational Improvement and Total Quality Management
• Developed scientific and technical knowledge and understanding of blood component supply chain, particularly Manufacuring, and up to date knowledge of new developments.
• Experience of working with Information Technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Expert knowledge in at least one of the following areas: -
• Manufacturing (e.g. of Blood Components, Tissue, Stem Cells etc).
• Hospital Services
  
  
  

Qualifications And Training

• Masters level qualification or equivalent relevant professional qualifications or demonstrable knowledge and experience to Masters level.
• Evidence of continuous professional development
  
  
  

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.

About Us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.

Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.

By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work – and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.

You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

What We Offer

• Hybrid working arrangements – because NHSBT works nationally, we’re able to offer hybrid working options that give you more flexibility to balance work with life.
• Flexible working options – we promote flexible working where the role allows. We’re happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
• Generous annual leave - 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
• Inclusive pension scheme - the NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns). Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions‎
• Supportive learning culture - we’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
• Health and wellbeing support – we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endeavour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.
  
  
  

As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.

You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website:

• Read about our application process
• Learn more about our culture at NHSBT
  
  
  

To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.

Next steps

This vacancy will close at 23:59pm on Sunday 25th October 2026

The assessment process for this role will include: a single interview

Interviews are anticipated to be held on the 4th November 2026 – subject to confirmation

For informal enquiries please contact –

Name: Danny Spilsbury

Job Title: Assistant Head of Manufacturing and Product Development

Contact Details: Email – Danny.Spilsbury@nhsbt.nhs.uk