NHS Blood and Transplant

Lead Specialist - Plasma

The closing date is 16 November 2025

Job summary

This is an excellent opportunity to leading on a range of programmes/change and implementation projects in NHSBTs Plasma Directorate which is responsible for supplying plasma to be used in the manufacture of medicines that will help save and improve the lives of thousands of people with life-limiting conditions. You will 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 from colleagues with whom you will work. As a subject matter expert for plasma, you will lead on the delivery of major, complex and high impact projects and change programmes on time to budget, for the Plasma Directorate and wider NHSBT. You will play a key role in supporting Plasmas strategic aim to deliver sufficient plasma supplies that will enable the UK to achieve an initial 20% self-sufficiency in plasma medicines by 2025-26 and thereafter to increase sufficiency over time through innovation and optimisation. You will play a key role in delivering this.

Main duties of the job

The primary role is to act as subject matter expert and lead on service and product development within Plasma. Evaluating and generating innovative ideas, supporting and contributing to the development of strategy and improved service delivery. 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 Plasma, 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 Plasma collection, manufacture and bulk distribution. To deputise for Technical and Transformation Manager as and when required In summary, Lead Specialists own a number of 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 us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, youll 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.

Details

Date posted

08 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

007681

Job locations

England

England

England

BS34 7QH


NHS Blood and Transplant

New Street

Birmingham

B2 4DU


NHS Blood and Transplant

Filton,

Bristol

BS34 7QH


NHS Blood and Transplant

Coxford Road

Southampton

SO16 5AF


NHS Blood and Transplant

Plymouth Grove

Manchester

M13 9LL


NHS Blood and Transplant

Coxford Road

Southampton

SO16 5AF


NHS Blood and Transplant

Capitol Way, Dodworth

Barnsley

South Yorkshire

S75 3FG


Job description

Job responsibilities

 

Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

 

 

 

Job description

Job responsibilities

 

Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

 

 

 

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Knowledge of change management and service redesign.
  • Experience of setting objectives for direct reports and undertaking performance reviews.
  • Experienced in managing projects and delivering change.
  • Experience in risk management, process qualification and change control.
  • Developed scientific and technical knowledge and understanding of plasma and plasma for medicine supply chain, and well informed regarding new developments.
  • Expert knowledge in at least one of the following areas: Plasma, Manufacturing (eg of Blood Components, Tissue, Stem Cells etc), Hospital Services, Blood Donation Technology, Testing Microbiology/Virology, Testing Blood Grouping/Serology, Quality Monitoring and other similar areas of work.
  • Thorough understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Laboratory Practice, Operational Improvement and Total Quality Management.

Experience

Essential

  • Masters level qualification or equivalent relevant professional qualifications or demonstrable knowledge and experience to Masters level.
  • Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development.
  • Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD)
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Knowledge of change management and service redesign.
  • Experience of setting objectives for direct reports and undertaking performance reviews.
  • Experienced in managing projects and delivering change.
  • Experience in risk management, process qualification and change control.
  • Developed scientific and technical knowledge and understanding of plasma and plasma for medicine supply chain, and well informed regarding new developments.
  • Expert knowledge in at least one of the following areas: Plasma, Manufacturing (eg of Blood Components, Tissue, Stem Cells etc), Hospital Services, Blood Donation Technology, Testing Microbiology/Virology, Testing Blood Grouping/Serology, Quality Monitoring and other similar areas of work.
  • Thorough understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Laboratory Practice, Operational Improvement and Total Quality Management.

Experience

Essential

  • Masters level qualification or equivalent relevant professional qualifications or demonstrable knowledge and experience to Masters level.
  • Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development.
  • Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD)

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.

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

England

England

England

BS34 7QH


Employer's website

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

England

England

England

BS34 7QH


Employer's website

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Specialist - Plasma

Christopher Dixon

christopher.dixon@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

08 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

007681

Job locations

England

England

England

BS34 7QH


NHS Blood and Transplant

New Street

Birmingham

B2 4DU


NHS Blood and Transplant

Filton,

Bristol

BS34 7QH


NHS Blood and Transplant

Coxford Road

Southampton

SO16 5AF


NHS Blood and Transplant

Plymouth Grove

Manchester

M13 9LL


NHS Blood and Transplant

Coxford Road

Southampton

SO16 5AF


NHS Blood and Transplant

Capitol Way, Dodworth

Barnsley

South Yorkshire

S75 3FG


Supporting documents

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