Job description for Operations Manager

Are you ready to lead a dynamic, high-performing team within Defence? Join us at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) in this challenging and rewarding opportunity to make a significant impact on our mission to protect and defend our Armed Forces.

You’ll play a crucial role in leading and overseeing strategic plans, ensuring safety processes, and providing operational support vital to Defence outputs. Defence Munitions is at the forefront of safeguarding the supply, storage, maintenance, and disposal of munitions. As a proven leader with a background in Safety and/or OHSE, you’ll drive operational excellence in fast-paced environments, foster continuous improvement, and deliver positive results. In this critical role, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders across the Military, Defence Regulation, and wider teams within DE&S to ensure compliance and the successful delivery of strategic plans.

Please note that travel to all the stated sites below is required on a regular basis.

Defence Munitions Gosport, Gosport, Hampshire PO13 0AH,

Defence Munitions Kineton, Kineton, Warwickshire CV47 2UL,

Defence Munitions Longtown, Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 5LX,

Defence Munitions Beith, Beith, Ayrshire KA15 1JT,

Defence Munitions Glen Douglas, Arrochar, Argyll & Bute, Scotland, G83 7AZ,

Defence Munitions Crombie, Ordnance Road, Crombie, Dunfermline, KY12 8LA,

Defence Munitions Plymouth, Ernesettle Lane, Plymouth PL5 2TQ,

MOD Abbey Wood, Filton, Bristol, Avon BS34 8JH

 What you’ll be doing

• Establish, lead, and manage high-performing multi-disciplinary teams to deliver strategic outcomes
• Define and drive governance and assurance for in-service support, aligned with best practices and KPIs
• Provide guidance and lead improvement initiatives to enhance governance and standard practices
• Investigate and address key performance indicator (KPI) shortfalls using management information and data to identify trends, risks, and issues
• Direct activities to resolve issues and meet KPIs, contributing to continuous improvement efforts
• Ensure cost-effective and efficient support delivery, mitigating risks and leveraging opportunities

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Significant experience in an operations management role or associated discipline (Business Management, Project Management, Engineering, Through Life Support or Supply Chain)
• Proven ability to lead through change and drive continuous improvement
• Expertise in stakeholder and relationship management
• Proficiency in interpreting and using management information and data
• Experience of occupational health, safety & environment (OSHE) in highly regulated or high hazard environment

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Stakeholder Management – Expert
• Continuous Improvement for Optimise Support – Authority
• Changing and Improving – CSBC4
• Leadership – CSBC 4

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £67,700, Ministry of Defence contributes £19,612 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of around 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded professional qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So, whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences, and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-SDA-Terms-and-Conditions

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
3. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.

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