JOB SUMMARY

Our Storage and Distribution Team in VCD leads on the storage and distribution of vaccines and countermeasures, working closely with delivery partners such as 3PLs, NHS supply teams, and all UK nations.
We ensure seamless delivery by maintaining robust relationships, upholding the highest quality standards, and leveraging our expertise in GDP (Good Distribution Practice) to safeguard supply chain integrity and public health.
The team ensures supply chain security by implementing measures that protect the integrity of vaccine storage and distribution. This includes monitoring temperature-controlled logistics to preserve product efficacy, preventing theft or diversion through strict chain-of-custody protocols,
and performing risk assessments to mitigate vulnerabilities. We also maintain traceability of inventory to ensure compliance and reduce potential disruptions.
Our expertise in GDP ensures that vaccines and countermeasures are stored, handled, and distributed according to MHRA regulations. Activities include managing inventory holistically,monitoring stock levels, expiry dates, and batch integrity to avoid shortages or wastage, and, in
partnership with Quality, conducting regular inspections to maintain compliance. We hold comprehensive documentation, including SOPs and Ways of Working (WoWs), to support regulatory and finance audits and ensure operational consistency.
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Daily operational management of our 3PL is a critical component of our work. This includes monitoring contractual performance, addressing operational issues promptly, and ensuring that delivery schedules and service level agreements (SLAs) are consistently met.
By maintaining close oversight of 3PL activities, we can quickly identify and mitigate risks, ensuring reliable and uninterrupted distribution of vaccines and countermeasures.

The Inventory Analyst is responsible: -

• For monitoring and managing inventory levels, analysing storage capacity data against forecast demand and ensuring the efficient flow of goods in the supply chain.
• Generating actionable insights through implementing data driven decisions, the Inventory Analyst leverages dashboard creation and data visualisation tools to enable clear reporting cross-government, to customers and to the 3PL provider.
• Ensuring inventory accuracy across all locations by conducting regular inventory audits, reconciling discrepancies and escalating where necessary.
• Identify and implement process improvements to streamline inventory control and reduce costs, in collaboration with cross-governmental teams, NHS and 3PL provider.
• Regular inventory dashboard reporting to underpin financial audit work, liaising closely with Audit and Finance teams to ensure any inventory issues are escalated and appropriately mitigated.
• Monitoring and maintaining optimal inventory levels to meet demand, through engagement with 3PL provider, Demand Forecasting team and Programme teams.
• Preparing and managing product information and access through ImmForm, our web-based vaccine ordering service, to ensure vaccines are available to customers and appropriately controlled and managed.

In addition to routine operations, we play a vital role in readiness activities to ensure the system is prepared for seasonal campaigns/variant updates, new vaccine launches, or unexpected demand spikes.
This includes working closely with internal teams to align stock availability with demand forecasts, stress-testing distribution plans, and refining processes to ensure swift mobilisation during public health emergencies.
We oversee the re-procurement of storage and distribution contracts, ensuring they meet operational and quality standards while maintaining alignment with programme requirements. By managing KPIs and reporting operational performance to Commercial, Finance, and in-house Quality teams, we provide assurance that contractual expectations are met, risks are mitigated, and financial accountability and Value for Money (VfM) for taxpayers are achieved and maintained.
The team continuously seeks to optimise supply chain processes, striving for efficiencies and adopting a culture of continuous improvement. This includes leveraging feedback, analysing performance data, and engaging with stakeholders to identify areas for enhancement. By embracing innovation and refining workflows, we ensure the supply chain remains resilient, cost-effective, and fit for purpose.
Our collaborative approach spans internal and external partners, including NHS central supply teams, DHSC, and the VCD Vaccine & Immunisation Programme Teams. By providing a unified point of contact for delivery and execution, we co-own forward planning with the Demand & Analytics team and support national programmes in ensuring readiness for supply mobilisation.
Feedback is regularly shared with programmes and Senior Leadership to identify cost efficiencies, improve supply chain processes, and strengthen operational resilience. Through our commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement, the team ensures vaccines and countermeasures are distributed safely, effectively, and efficiently, supporting the critical mission of VCD and UKHSA. All Vaccines & Countermeasures Delivery personnel to ensure all operational activities and processes adhere to Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards, maintaining compliance and supporting the integrity of the supply chain.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Planning