About this role
Job summary
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced and motivated Courier Manager to lead and develop our Trust-wide Courier Service across Cornwall. This is a key role within our Estates & Facilities Directorate, ensuring the safe, compliant, efficient and reliable transportation of healthcare-related items that support patient care and service delivery.
You will be responsible for the operational and strategic management of the courier service, including fleet management, route planning, compliance, staff leadership, performance monitoring and service development. Working closely with clinical teams, service managers, external partners and key stakeholders, you will ensure the secure and timely movement of specimens, pharmacy items, medical records, equipment, confidential information and other essential consignments across the Trust.
This role is critical in maintaining statutory compliance, managing risk, supporting service resilience and driving continuous improvement. You will lead a team of approximately 30 staff, oversee a fleet operating across Cornwall, and contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable transport solutions that meet the changing needs of healthcare services.
This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive and customer-focused leader with strong operational, transport and compliance expertise who is passionate about delivering high-quality services, improving efficiency and supporting outstanding patient care.
Main duties of the job
Lead, support and develop the Courier Service Team, managing 30 staff and ensuring the delivery of a safe, professional and customer-focused service. Manage the day-to-day operation of the courier service, including route planning, staff rotas, service continuity and performance monitoring to ensure all scheduled collections and deliveries are completed.
Oversee the management, compliance and maintenance of the courier fleet, ensuring vehicles are roadworthy, fit for purpose, insured and available to support service delivery 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Provide specialist advice and guidance on courier operations, transport compliance, risk management, safe systems of work and relevant legislation to managers, stakeholders and service users.
Ensure the safe, secure and compliant transportation of healthcare-related items, including specimens, pharmacy items, confidential information, medical records, equipment and other sensitive consignments.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, route instructions, risk assessments, compliance records and safe systems of work to support statutory and Trust requirements.
Monitor service performance, investigate incidents, complaints, accidents and insurance claims, and implement corrective actions to support continuous improvement and service resilience.
Manage budgets and authorise courier-related expenditure, whilst ensuring value for money and compliance with Trust Standing Financial Instructions.
About us
We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.
We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.
Over 5,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.
We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 10 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.
Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increases the numbers of people who use our services.
Job description Job responsibilities
This job is currently only open to people who already work for the NHS in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly.
We are committed to supporting our dedicated staff, so only current employees of the following organisations can apply:
Cornwall Foundation Trust
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board
If you do not currently work for one of these NHS organisations, your application will not be considered at this time.
To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see supporting documents.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications and Relevant Experience Essential
Degree or an equivalent level of knowledge and expertise Substantial experience in a transport discipline
Desirable
Professional Experience of Healthcare and/or transport networks IOSH or higher relevant safety qualification ADR (Carriage of dangerous goods) class 6
Skills and Aptitude Essential
Project management including cost, time and quality control, and risk management from inception through to implementation and operation Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office applications Budgetary control, revenue and capital
Knowledge and abilities Essential
Ability to review contract/contractor requirements/documentation and communicate it effectively for all level of staff to understand. Detailed working knowledge of legislation, regulations, standards and Trust policies relevant to healthcare courier operations, including vehicle compliance, driver safety, road traffic requirements, health and safety, infection prevention, information governance, dangerous goods awareness, risk management and audit requirements. Ability to interpret legislation, national guidance and Trust policy and translate these into practical procedures, staff instructions and safe systems of work. Ability to develop, maintain and review risk registers, standard operating procedures, route instructions, compliance records and audit evidence. Knowledge of procurement, supplier management, contract monitoring and value-for-money principles relevant to courier service delivery.
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 Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address Latham Park
St Blazey
PL24 2HY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)