St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor
Head, Pharmacy Stores Services
Location: Gulu, Norther Uganda
Reports to: Finance Manager
Type: Full-Time, 1 year (possibility for extension)
Department: Pharmacy – Logistics and Supply Chain Management Section
Organization: St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor
Position Summary:
The Head, Pharmacy Stores Services will oversee the pharmacy operations at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor, managing all activities related to the provision of drug and medical supplies, staff, facilities, and equipment to support effective and efficient delivery of care to patients.
This role is responsible for medication and medical supply management, including procurement, inventory control, and distribution to hospital and peripheral health centers. He or she will ensure that essential medicines and medical supplies are available, well managed, and stored appropriately for cost-effective and high-quality inpatient and outpatient care. A track record of strong leadership and organizational skills, along with the ability to promote a culture of excellence and teamwork will take precedence over academic qualifications.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Leadership and Planning:
Develop and implement strategic plans for pharmacy store operations to support the hospital’s mission and clinical pharmacy activities to ensure optimal patient care.
Lead the overall planning and forecasting for medication procurement, inventory management, and staffing needs.
Continuously assess healthcare and community needs to adapt pharmacy strategies to improve patient access to medicines and outcomes.
2. Procurement, Inventory Management and Distribution:
Oversee the daily operations of the main pharmacy store to effectively (accurate and efficient) deliver essential medicines and medical supplies to inpatient and outpatient services.
Maintain strict adherence to quality standards, proper storage, medication safety, hygiene protocols, and medication and medical supply management best practices.
Ensures record-keeping and documentation systems are in place for the procurement, movement and distribution/sale of drugs in a manner that is secure, auditable, traceable, and allows for their easy retrieval
3. Financial and Budget Management in collaboration with the Finance and Cost-Controlling Departments:
Contribute to the development and management of the main pharmacy store’s budget, ensuring eificient use of resources and cost control in line with the hospital’s approved pricing policies.
Analyze utilization, performance data including revenue, expenditure, and cost management.
Prepare regular financial and operational reports to the Institutional Director and Hospital Management.
Knowledge:
Pharmaceutical Management: Deep understanding of medication and medical supply management, procurement, inventory control and distribution practices
Financial Planning: Knowledge of budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control in a healthcare setting.
Pharmacy Software Systems: Familiarity with and effectively uses software for tracking, inventory management, order processing, analysis/forecasting and reporting as well as a good knowledge of MS Office package especially MS Excel
Safety and Quality Assurance: Understanding of safety protocols, medication safety practices, and quality improvement methodologies.
Healthcare Context: Awareness of the challenges in rural or underserved healthcare settings and the ability to work within these limitations.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Pharmacy and/or Certificate/Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (preferably related to pharmaceutical and health supplies)
At least 5 years of experience in pharmacy or stores management (preferably in a healthcare setting)
Application Instructions:
Interested candidates can visit www.lacor hospital.org or Lacorhospital.org for more job details and should submit a cover letter and CV/resume to www.lacorhospital. org or vacancies@lacorhospital.org. Deadline for submission of applications is 31st May 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on healthcare delivery at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor by leading and creating a dedicated pharmacy team and implementing strategies to enhance medication safety and community engagement. Preference will be given to candidates with proven strong leadership skills, community commitment, and professional integrity to apply.
