Thank you for your interest in these two Logistic & Support roles at DE&S

I’m delighted that you are interested in these exciting, challenging but important roles within the Ministry of Defence. We have a compelling agenda to meet the needs of our armed forces now and into the future; DE&S plays a vital part in the security of the UK. We are an organisation of approximately 11,500 people in a wide variety of roles from project managers, operations managers & engineers to finance professionals, to our critical industrial workforce. ​

You will join at an exciting time for DE&S, just as we have launched our new Operating Model to better support Defence to protect our nation. These key roles, within Logistics, Services and Commodities are wide-ranging and complex, managing business units delivering logistics and Support enabling services across Defence.

As one of the Diversity Champions within DE&S, I am looking for an individual who will act as a role model to actively encourage diversity of thought and reinforce positive behaviours.  You will act with integrity, including the ability to uphold policy and process, and question leadership, both within DE&S, across Government and into each of the Armed Services.  ​

The successful individual will be an inspiring and effective strategic leader, with excellent communication skills, capable and comfortable dealing with complexity and uncertainty.  As well as willing to take responsibility and accountability, be focused on delivery and able to manage an innovative, dynamic and diverse team to drive performance. Key to your success will be your ability to engage effectively within DE&S and externally at all levels.  DE&S is a fantastic organisation, and these roles are strategically and vitally important to the defence of our nation and its allies.  I look forward to receiving your application.

John Farrow, Director Logistics & Support Operating Centre, DE&S

The Head of Support Chain Services has the following areas of responsibility: 

• Delivery and sustainment of key elements of DE&S Support enabling capabilities, including Supply Chain & material accounting management, Inventory Management Business Resolution teams, Support Chain Data analysis and the UK National Codification Bureau.
• Closely working with the DE&S Gateway for new projects, DE&S Core for existing activity and operating alongside the Support Authority within DE&S System Integration, this role is critical to ensure that projects across DE&S have appropriate Support enablement and expertise, to estimate and plan Through Life Support effectively.
• There is a major focus on Defence developing and delivering effective and resilient Through Life Support solutions. The Head of Support Chain Services plays a crucial part in that strategic intent, having leadership of multiple teams that drive Support improvement.
• For new projects, the teams will work closely with Gateway to build in Through life Support from concept stage, including codification of items; in Operate & Sustain within Core, the emphasis is on providing Support and subject matter expertise where required. Close working with the Support Authority within the newly forming System Integration area is expected throughout and that relationship will develop over time.
• Likely medium-profile work under significant Ministerial, Parliamentary, Media and Stakeholder attention as impacts and consequences of Through Life Support activity are scrutinised, requiring personal resilience and senior stakeholder management.
• The team size is approximately 85 which includes military personnel, civil servants, and contractors, spread across multiple sites in the UK.

To be successful with your application, you will need to be able to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

• A visible leader, with a proactive commitment to diversity and inclusion and demonstrable experience of creating and maintaining a psychologically safe and inclusive environment.
• Embody a servant leadership approach, with evidence of how you have successfully empowered your teams, provided clear direction and respected the valuable contributions they have made.
• Significant experience of Support and/or Logistics Service delivery in Defence or another capital-intensive sector, working within a complex environment.
• Demonstrable experience of customer and senior stakeholder engagement in a Support context with an ability to understand the importance of partnering and constructive challenge.
• Demonstrable experience at a senior leadership level in risk management, strategic capability planning & financial management control.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience :

• Operational Delivery and/or Logistic Management qualifications incl. membership of appropriate professional bodies
• Experience in safety management

For full information on the role please see the candidate pack.