Senior Operational Manager Sterile Services and Medical Engineering

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Result Areas:

Strategic Leadership and Service Development

Deliver highly developed planning, organisational and analytical expertise to ensure timely and effective delivery of high-quality services across SWFT and associated Trusts.

Work autonomously to anticipate and respond to emerging national policy, legislation and guidance, supporting the development of strategies, policies and procedures to support compliance with national standards and Trust objectives.

Align policies, strategies and operational best practices across sites to ensure standardisation and consistency of service delivery.

Support development and implement qualitative and quantitative performance measures to monitor compliance with Head of service strategies and national requirements.

Present performance updates, KPI reports and strategic recommendations at senior management forums, committees and Boards.

Ensure organisational strategies are effectively cascaded and implemented across all operational teams.

Promote innovation, service improvement and adoption of emerging healthcare technologies to enhance patient care and operational productivity.

Operational Management

Oversee and align operational activities across both EBME and Sterile Services departments, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and prioritisation of workloads.

Ensure effective management of medical device servicing, maintenance, repair and calibration activities in accordance with national standards and operational requirements.

Oversee the management and continual development of externally accredited quality systems, including ISO 13485:2016 and 9001:2015 compliance, ensuring all audits, corrective actions and non-conformities are appropriately managed

Ensure robust systems are in place for monitoring maintenance plans, project milestones, risks and operational performance.

Support and oversee equipment replacement programmes and medical equipment capital replacement planning across both Trusts.

Ensure all procurement activities relating to medical devices and sterile services are aligned across both Trusts, promoting standardisation and value for money.

Clinical and Technical Governance

Provide specialist scientific, technical and operational expertise relating to medical devices, sterile services and decontamination processes.

Advise clinical, scientific, technical and managerial staff on risks associated with medical devices and decontamination services, ensuring appropriate risk assessments and mitigation measures are implemented.

Develop detailed technical specifications, conduct product evaluations and provide evidence-based recommendations to clinicians and senior managers.

Represent both Trusts on relevant national safety networks and professional groups, including the National Medical Devices Safety Network.

Ensure full compliance with MHRA, NHS England and Central Alerting System (CAS) requirements relating to medical devices and decontamination standards.

Oversee the investigation and management of all medical device and sterile services safety incidents, ensuring robust investigations, corrective actions and reporting processes are completed.

Provide Trust-level assurance regarding the safe use, management and governance of medical devices and sterile services.

Continually review high-risk and complex medical devices and decontamination practices to ensure best practice standards are maintained.

Financial and Commercial Management

Hold budgetary responsibility for EBME and Sterile Services functions across both Trusts.

Monitor departmental expenditure and ensure services operate within agreed financial limits while maintaining high-quality standards.

Evaluate value for money in relation to equipment procurement, service contracts and operational delivery.

Support development and deliver annual cost improvement and efficiency programmes.

Ensure procurement and contract management activities align with contractual obligations, budgetary controls and service expectations.

Identify and implement opportunities for income generation and commercial service provision to external organisations where appropriate.

Lead initiatives to maximise joint Trust savings through collaborative procurement and service alignment.

Leadership and Workforce Development

Provide visible, effective and inspirational leadership to multidisciplinary healthcare engineering and sterile services teams.

Develop and maintain a highly skilled workforce through training, mentoring, succession planning and professional development.

Promote strong working relationships between EBME, Sterile Services, clinical teams and wider NHS professionals to support high-quality patient care.

Manage staff performance, conduct, welfare and development in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

Lead on recruitment, appraisal, workforce planning and disciplinary processes as required.

Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, collaboration and patient safety.

Communication and Stakeholder Management

Lead complex projects and present progress updates, risks and outcomes to a wide range of stakeholders including Executive Directors and external organisations.

Communicate highly complex, sensitive and technical information clearly and effectively to staff at all levels.

Influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders internally and externally to secure service improvements and strategic objectives.

Chair and oversee relevant operational and governance groups, including the Medical Devices Group.

Promote and disseminate best practice methodologies, standards and procedures throughout both Trusts.