About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a proactive and passionate Senior QC Technician - Microbiology to join the Medicines Manufacturing Centre (MMC)--a cutting-edge NHS pharmaceutical production facility based in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland. The MMC is in its final design stages,. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a pioneering NHS manufacturing facility, supporting a leadership team committed to quality, innovation, and patient care.
Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received.
All employees of the Medicine Manufacturing Centre (MMC) are currently employed by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, under Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions. Should the service be transferred into alternative ownership, those employees with start dates prior to the transfer date, will be protected under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE). Therefore, employees will transfer to the new employer on the same terms and conditions, which are protected and the employees' continuity of employment is preserved
Main duties of the job
To support the delivery of a GMP compliant manufacturing facility that optimises the regional benefit from the £30 million funding provided by NHSE. Support QC Microbiology validation activities for QC Equipment and processes under the MMC's MS Licence, ensuring the compliance with MHRA and NHS standards. Provides technical QC resource, advice, and support to ensure GMP compliance at the MMC.
About us
The Medicines Manufacturing Centre (MMC) is a brand-new, purpose-built NHS pharmaceutical production facility located at the Northumbria Innovation and Manufacturing Hub in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland. This cutting-edge centre is part of the North East and North Cumbria Provider Collaborative and has been established to meet the growing need for high-quality, regionally manufactured Ready-to-Administer (RtA) medicines and advanced aseptic products.
Funded with £30 million of investment from NHS England, the MMC will support a secure, sustainable supply chain for critical medicines, particularly for oncology and other high-risk therapies, while creating skilled jobs and driving innovation across the region. The facility is designed to operate under a Manufacturer's Specials Licence (MS) and aims to secure a Wholesale Dealer's Authorisation (WDA(H)), ensuring compliance with MHRA, GMP, and GDP regulations from day one.
At the MMC, quality, patient safety, and staff wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. Our leadership team is committed to building a culture of openness, learning, and continuous improvement--offering staff a rare opportunity to help shape the systems, teams, and values of a truly modern NHS manufacturing unit.
Working at the MMC means being part of a forward-thinking and supportive team focused on enabling frontline clinical staff to spend more time with patients by delivering safe, ready-to-use medicines.
Job description Job responsibilities
Perform routine Quality Control (QC) microbiology testing in accordance with approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and departmental procedures. Perform sterility testing on site in dedicated sterility testing isolator. Perform routine microbiological identification techniques, including the operation of equipment such as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, following appropriate training. Perform media growth promotion (fertility) testing, environmental monitoring, endotoxin testing, process biological/enzyme indicators and bioburden testing as required. Demonstrate and maintain appropriate cleanroom behaviours and aseptic techniques, including gowning, cleaning, transfer disinfection, environmental monitoring, documentation and adherence to GMP. Accurately record, review and maintain microbiology testing data in compliance with data integrity requirements and departmental procedures. Assist with microbiological investigations, including Out of Specification (OOS) results and deviations, providing factual information to support senior staff. Prepare, label, store and maintain microbiological reagents, media and consumables, ensuring appropriate stock control and rotation. Assist with the receipt, ordering and inventory management of QC microbiology materials and laboratory consumables. Support routine maintenance, calibration, qualification checks and servicing schedules for QC microbiology equipment, escalating issues where appropriate. Contribute to the preparation, review and updating of laboratory documentation, including SOPs, worksheets and logbooks under the guidance of senior staff. Assist in maintaining the cleanliness, organisation and compliance of the QC microbiology laboratories and associated cleanroom facilities. Support the training and induction of new members of staff and students in routine laboratory procedures where appropriate. Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Manufacturing, Quality Assurance and Quality Control teams to ensure the timely delivery of microbiology testing services. Comply with all Trust policies, Health and Safety requirements, GMP regulations and Quality Management System procedures. Demonstrate compassionate, inclusive and professional behaviours, contributing positively to team working, continuous improvement and a culture of quality and patient safety. To role model compassionate and inclusive leadership in order to shape the creation of a collective leadership culture within the trust. This means demonstrating a consistent leadership style which (a) engages, enables and empowers others (b) uses coaching to promote ownership of learning and quality improvement and (c) facilitates team working and collaboration within teams / departments and across organisational boundaries.
Person Specification
Experience and Knowledge Essential
Experience working in a microbiology or quality control laboratory.
Desirable
Experience working within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical or aseptic manufacturing environment. Experience of environmental monitoring, sterility testing, microbial identification or media growth promotion testing. Experience using Pharmaceutical Quality Systems or Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). Experience supporting equipment qualification, validation or routine maintenance activities. Knowledge of or experience in coaching and mentoring practices and tools. Knowledge of or experience in Quality improvement tools, techniques and methods. Experience participating in quality improvement activities. Experience training or mentoring colleagues in routine laboratory techniques. Experience using electronic quality management systems (eQMS).
Qualifications Essential
Relevant scientific qualification (e.g. BTEC Level 3, Foundation Degree, HNC/HND, Degree or equivalent knowledge and experience in Microbiology, Biomedical Science or a related discipline).
Desirable
Degree in Microbiology or other relevant scientific discipline. Eligible to be Registered Professional with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Health and Care Professions Council HCPC, Royal Society for Chemistry (RSC) or Royal Society for Biology (RSB), or Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address Northumbria Healthcare Manufacturing and Innovation Hub
Avenue Road
Seaton Delaval
NE25 0QJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)