Inventory Assistant-28,842 p.a. + benefits

Details
Reference number

434075

Salary

£28,842

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Administrative Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

MHRA - Science, Research and Innovation Group

Type of role

Other

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

2

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

South Mimms, Hertfordshire

About the job
Job summary

We are currently looking for an Inventory Assistant to join our Standards Lifecycle Function within the Science, Research & Innovation group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based at South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Who are we?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The Scientific Research and Innovations Group (SR&I) delivers public health impact, world leading innovation, and a unique proposition via an ambitious Science Strategy which will balance innovation against sustainability and affordability. It is divided into 6 sub-groups, Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing, and Quality Assurance and Health and Safety.

This role is in the Market Analysis & Inventory team (of Market analysis, Manufacturing and Logistics (MML), within Standards Lifecycle) responsible for fulfilling sales order shipping, manufacturing and Inventory control.

Job description

The MHRA Inventory team are tasked with maintaining a robust & accurate catalogue of products, to ensure the continuous provision of our product range, and to provide an accurate financial valuation of agency assets. Each year the Inventory Team are subject to external audits by the National Audit Office. The postholder will be responsible for implementing the key, business as usual tasks such as stock-take of biological references portfolio, discard agendas, cold room maintenance & housekeeping. The role involves working in extreme environments such as (minus) -20˚c cold rooms, and around liquid nitrogen vessels in cryogenic storage units, these tasks may include manual handling of up to 10kg at a time & standing for prolonged periods.

The postholder, is required will also be expected to ensure document traceability and accuracy by carrying out timely scanning of the inventory records.

Where applicable training and/or certification will be provided.

This role will also work flexibly with the wider Market Analysis, Manufacturing and Logistics (MML) team, providing support across all areas as required by the line manager and/or Head of MML to meet the needs of the business. The post holder will work on site & within core hours.

Key responsibilities:

• To ensure the accurate valuation of MHRA's biological materials portfolio, by assisting in daily stock counts, escalating any discrepancy investigation to Inventory Coordinator and the wider team and/or division as required.
• Postholder is required to stand for extended periods of time (up to 3 hours), manually handle heavy objects (approximately 5-10kg), stretch and reach objects above shoulder height and work in cold rooms (+4˚c to -20˚c).
• Undertake accurate daily Picking of our range of biological products for sales orders, with varying temperature control parameters available for the shipping team and in time for booked shipments
• Implement product discard agendas, including accelerated degradation study products in a timely manner considering traceability and appropriate waste management of biological products.
• Post involves working with products stored in cryogenic storage vessels and will require successful completion of learning modules to gain and maintain relevant certification.
• Maintain good housekeeping of cold rooms & cryogenic storage units, including transfer of products and defrosting of our -70˚c freezers. Training for use of cold rooms and other specialist storage units is provided.
• Due to operational continuity the post holder may on occasion be required work longer hours namely due to cold storage alarms and a need to transfer perishable products to maintain scientific integrity, working hours can be reasonably adjusted inline with relevant MHRA policy & with agreement between postholder and line manager

Person specification

Our successful candidate will demonstrate the following.

• Always work with focus and pace to get the job done on time and to a high standard. Follow the relevant policies, procedures and rules that apply to the job. Use own knowledge and expertise to organise work. Keep focused on delivery and take responsibility for the quality of work produced. Keep a consistent level of personal performance. Keep managers and stakeholders updated on how work is progressing.
• Stand for prolonged periods of time (3hrs), transport large vessels, move cages/trolleys. Work in confined spaces such as the isolator half suit and wear protective clothing and PPE such as stell toe-capped shoes, face masks, surgeon's gloves and one-piece coveralls. Work for short periods of time in -20⁰C cold rooms.
• Experience in a warehouse / Cold Storage and / or Stockroom environment desirable.
• Knowledge of working under a quality system such as ISO9001, GMP or food industry desirable.
• Proactively contribute to the work of the whole team and remain open to taking on new and different roles. Get to know your colleagues and build supportive relationships. Listen to alternative perspectives and needs, responding sensitively and checking understanding where necessary. Ask for help when needed and support others when the opportunity arises. Be aware of the need to consider your own wellbeing and that of your colleagues. Understand that bullying, harassment, and discrimination are unacceptable.
• Level 2 qualification or equivalent e.g., GCSE in Mathematics, English and Science
• Proven IT skills- use of MS office and the ability to learn specialist software systems for laboratory/manufacturing equipment and other systems such as document control.

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification

Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,842, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £8,355 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays
• Privilege Leave: 1 day
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay/five months half pay
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on
• Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan
• Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund
• Eligibility to join the Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA)
• Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs
• On-going learning and development

Things you need to know
Selection process details

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.

• Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of candidates demonstrating having experience in a warehouse / Cold Storage and / or Stockroom environment desirable. Knowledge of working under a quality system such as ISO9001, GMP or food industry desirable.

Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

Use of AI in Job Applications

Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact as soon as possible.

Closing date: 3rd November 2025

Shortlisting date: 10th November 2025

Interview date: from 24th November 2025

Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:

• Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
• Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact Florentina Oleylami, Head of Talent Acquisition,

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at:

Civil Service Commission

Room G/8

1 Horse Guards Road

London

SW1A 2HQ

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants
Job contact :

• Name : Jaimin Joshi
• Email :

Recruitment team

• Email :

Further information

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact the Resourcing Team at , in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: - - Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ

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