Equipment Service Lead

Equipment Service Lead

Location: Head office, Cannock

Salary: £35,000 per annum

Contracted hours: 37.5 hours

About our Charity

As one of the UK’s leading charities providing essential specialist equipment to children with disabilities, Newlife is dedicated to making life better - for the families we serve, and for the people who help us to make that happen.

Through grants and emergency equipment loans, we ensure children get the vital equipment they need, when they need it, while our free nurse helpline offers crucial support and information – as well as a listening ear. Our campaigns help to give children with disabilities and their families a voice, advocating for change to benefit the families we serve. And we support adults with additional needs with volunteering and employment opportunities, providing an introduction to the workplace and a means for career development.

Across the whole of Newlife, our teams are crucial to our success – it’s not just a job; here you’ll be helping us to change lives every day.

About the role

The Equipment Services Lead oversees the effective delivery of the Equipment Grants and Loans service, ensuring operations are efficient, cost‑effective, and informed by strong product knowledge and procurement expertise. The role applies detailed understanding of paediatric equipment to ensure all recommendations are safe, appropriate, and represent best value for families.

They lead on procurement decisions, manage supplier relationships, and ensure all equipment provision meets quality standards, safeguarding requirements, and budget expectations. The postholder provides leadership to the Equipment Services team, drives service improvements, and monitors performance against KPIs.

Working collaboratively with external organisations and professionals involved in equipment provision, the Equipment Services Lead contributes to ongoing service development and ensures that all publicly available information—particularly website content relating to equipment and grants—is accurate, up to date, and reflective of current service standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day‑to‑day operations of the Equipment Grants and Loans service, ensuring efficient, timely, high‑quality delivery in full compliance with safeguarding requirements, GDPR, and all relevant organisational policies.
• Apply strong understanding of paediatric equipment to ensure all grant decisions are appropriate, cost‑effective, and deliver meaningful benefits to families while safeguarding charitable resources.
• Lead on procurement and supplier management by evaluating equipment specifications, comparing quotations, ensuring value for money, and maintaining strong supplier relationships to secure cost‑efficient solutions, reliable service, and high‑quality equipment provision.
• Lead, support, and develop the Equipment Services team through coaching, training, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes, and workflows to enhance service quality and efficiency.
• Act as a key point of contact for external organisations and professionals, ensuring effective communication and collaborative working to support equipment provision.
• Ensure all publicly available information—particularly website content relating to equipment and grants—is accurate, up to date, and reflective of current service standards.
• Handle complex queries, issues, or escalations professionally, ensuring timely resolution and a positive experience for families and stakeholders.
• Manage the service budget effectively, including raising and signing off purchase orders (POs) and invoices in line with financial policies and delegated authority.

What we are looking for

Candidates should hold GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths, English, and IT (Grade C or above), and have a strong understanding of paediatric equipment such as beds, wheelchairs, buggies, and car seats.

You will have proven experience in a management role within health, social care, or the charitable sector, with a track record of overseeing operations, managing teams, and controlling budgets. A solid understanding of safeguarding, GDPR, and confidentiality is essential, along with experience in supplier management.

Strong IT skills, including the use of databases and Microsoft Office, are required. You will bring excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and analyse performance data to drive improvements.

We are looking for someone who is professional, proactive, resilient, and adaptable, with a collaborative and compassionate approach, and a positive, self-motivated attitude.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checking may be necessary for this role.