Job description for Production Manager

At Defence Munitions (DM) Gosport, we are pleased to offer three exceptional opportunities to join our team as Production Managers, contributing to critical defence operations in a dynamic and highly specialised environment.

Defence Munitions receive, store, maintain & issue a wide range of munitions that are used by the UK armed forces to train, protect, and serve anywhere in the world. Our Defence Munitions staff work closely with DE&S project teams and front-line commands to ensure our troops have the right items at the right time. We work as an important part of the wider MoD establishment that supports, procures, and supplies our troops, providing them with a range of munitions from bullets, shells, and flares up to and including and complex weapons such as high-calibre ammunition and guided or targeted weapons.

As a Missile Production Manager, you will lead a small team responsible for conducting functional inspections, diagnostics, repairs, and modifications on a range of in-service complex weapons systems. You will bring expertise in the through-life management of complex processes, ensuring full compliance with explosive safety regulations and relevant policy standards.

As an Engineering Manager, you will lead a team responsible for the scheduled maintenance and inspection of Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) and a variety of engineering workshop assets. You will oversee the depot’s self-help maintenance department and manage a specialised metal treatment facility, which includes the recoating of small arms and naval guns.

You will also be accountable for ensuring safe working practices within the metal treatment facility, including the handling of acid baths, phosphating treatments, and paint spraying operations, in full compliance with health and safety regulations.

As a Torpedo Test Engineer, you will be responsible for conducting testing of weapons and their components in accordance with established processing documentation. You will work closely with the original equipment manufacturer to maintain a structured processing and maintenance schedule. A key aspect of the role involves advising on electrical safety and safety during testing procedures. Strong knowledge of electrical compliance is essential for identifying, rectifying, and reporting defects to ensure operational integrity and safety standards are upheld.

All roles carry responsibility for adhering to and applying relevant Health and Safety standards, including compliance with specific procedures and instructions as required by the position.

Successful candidates will be expected to complete all necessary training and achieve relevant certifications within 12 months of appointment.

Please note:  You will be required travel to other Defence Munition and DE&S locations in the UK. Reasonable notice will be given, with flexibility and a family friendly approach in mind. Travel and subsistence costs will be covered.

What you’ll be doing

• Schedule a range of production, maintenance, or training activities to an agreed plan.
• Ensure that the risk generated by activity in your area is as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) and that there is a strong, positive Safety and Explosives Safety culture.
• Identify risks (raising and authorising risk assessments) and issues which impact the ability to satisfy the customer needs.
• Deliver high quality diagnostic work and oversee and instruct any remedial work involving the tracing of faults or malfunctions of equipment and/or plant, ensuring only the correct, authorised, and serviceable equipment is used in support of Complex Weapons whilst assessing the impact of technical decisions on performance, time, cost, risk, safety factors and legislation.
• Provide technical or engineering support advice to stakeholders and contractors in support of commercial contracts ensuring equipment and service meets required standards.
• Ensure facilities and equipment meet all statutory and mandatory requirements in respect of Explosives Safety, Occupational Safety, Health and Environment, Quality, Fire, and Facilities Management, prior to commencement of work.
• Manage staff and monitor performance, including the allocation, control of workflow, production reporting and technical training.
• Procurement of none contracted consumables and equipment to enable the continual processing.
• Promote and actively encouraging continuous improvement, lean processing initiatives across your area and a flexible approach towards operating within a multi-disciplined team.
• Building officer responsibilities.

Person specification

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

• Completion of a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or an equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline, supported by appropriate industry experience.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly and effectively.
• Proven experience in engaging and collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in working with controlled documentation and maintaining compliance with relevant standards.

To benefit your application if you are able to demonstrate the following desirable criteria:

• Experience of managing and mentoring people and teams within an engineering environment.
• Previous experience of working with explosives or high-risk areas.

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

• Making evidence-based decisions – Practitioner level
• Managing support, supplier, and customer networks – Supervised Practitioner level
•  Leadership -CSBC3
• Managing a quality service – CSBC3

 Offered Benefits

• 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 average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded 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

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.

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 (CV Review) listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. 

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the relative importance of the assessed competencies as per the hierarchy below:

• 1st: Core Behaviour 1
• 2nd: Core Behaviour 1
• 3rd: Technical Competencies
• 4th: CV Review

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise an additional assessment.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints – Civil Service Commission