ASSISTANT MANAGER: PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES

The Assistant Manager: Pharmaceutical Services is a senior leadership position based at the National Head Office, operating within the Directorate for Non-Communicable Diseases and Support Services. This role sits at the heart of national pharmaceutical governance, with responsibility for coordinating the procurement, inventory management, and regulatory compliance of pharmaceutical products across the public health system. The incumbent will provide strategic direction and operational oversight, ensuring that medicine supply chains are efficient, that stock levels are accurately managed, and that all activities align with South African legislative and professional standards. The position is ideal for an experienced pharmacist who wishes to influence national policy and service delivery while managing a complex portfolio of clinical, administrative, and managerial functions.

Candidates must hold a basic qualification accredited by the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) that permits registration as a Pharmacist, and they must be registered with the SAPC. A minimum of five years of appropriate experience after registration is required, along with computer literacy and a valid driver’s licence. The role demands an in-depth knowledge of the Pharmacy Act, the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act, the national drug policy, good pharmacy practice in South Africa, SAPC regulations, and the norms and standards of the Office of Health Standards Compliance. Beyond statutory knowledge, the successful candidate will need expertise in pharmaceutical quantification, forecasting, procurement, inventory management, and data analysis, including the interpretation of stock levels, consumption trends, and age analysis. Clinical and pharmaceutical care competencies, pharmacovigilance, and patient safety systems are equally important, as is a solid understanding of risk management.

The duties of the post are broad and include coordinating the procurement of pharmaceutical products, managing pharmaceutical inventory and stock, and ensuring and monitoring compliance with SAPC requirements. The role also involves promoting rational medicine use, pharmacovigilance, research, and clinical interventions, as well as developing and reviewing policies, training programmes, public health initiatives, advisory functions, and support services. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for the management of human resources, finance, assets, and performance information. This requires strong negotiation, problem-solving, listening, communication, and report-writing skills, together with the ability to manage projects, programmes, and change. Stakeholder management, service delivery innovation, and sound decision-making are essential, as are integrity, honesty, confidentiality, good interpersonal relations, assertiveness, networking ability, resilience, diplomacy, and tact. A willingness to travel to support service delivery is a key requirement.

This appointment is made under the Public Service Act, reflecting its formal public-sector status. The position carries an all-inclusive remuneration package and is based at the National Head Office, with the successful candidate expected to work closely with national and provincial stakeholders. This is a demanding but rewarding opportunity for a registered pharmacist with substantial experience who is ready to take on a national coordinating role, ensuring that pharmaceutical services are safe, effective, and aligned with the broader goals of public health in South Africa.