At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead logistics operations and manage a large team to ensure efficient service delivery.
- Company: Join NHS Blood and Transplant, a vital organisation saving lives through blood and organ donation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 27 days annual leave, NHS pension scheme, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while developing your leadership skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Significant management experience in transport, relevant qualifications, and a valid UK driving licence required.
- Other info: This role involves travel and may require irregular hours and overnight stays.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
As a member of the Logistics Senior Management Team, you’ll head up National Logistics operations, operational compliance and fleet services across NHSBT logistics, motivating and developing the teams to deliver high-quality maximum-efficiency services. With accountability for over 250 drivers, 320 liveried vehicle fleet across 14 centres and Central Control Tower, lease car schemes, as well as the oversight of the Transport Management Planning system, this role offers plenty of autonomy and accountability.
Leading operations teams through major service development, improvement and change projects, you’ll seek opportunities to innovate as well as identifying and incorporating best practice. You’ll ensure we meet regulatory targets and compliance against quality, risk and governance standards. Meanwhile, growing and maintaining an in-depth knowledge of blood supply chain and tissue services together with related service challenges will ensure your credibility as you collaborate with other directorates to ensure we meet our strategic goals within budget.
Main duties of the job
- This role is a UK wide role with autonomy and accountability for leading service modernisation and the promotion and delivery of innovation, engaging other senior staff, as well as actively contributing to and leading directorate problem solving and strategic planning.
- The post holder will drive and lead service improvement / transformation to enable the service to deliver high quality services with maximum efficiency and ensure that the appropriate methodology is used in implementing and embedding operating models throughout the service, continuously seeking opportunities to identify and incorporate best practice into service delivery.
- This post holder will be a member of the Logistics Senior Management Team (SMT) where they will lead and be accountable for the transport operations and fleet services across NHSBT; this includes working in collaboration across other directorates to ensure organisational strategy is met within budget.
- The post holder will be accountable for the development, motivation, and inspiration of the staff within their function ensuring their team delivers high quality service development activities and are seen to be credible and possess in-depth knowledge and understanding of blood supply chain and tissue services together with related service challenges.
- The post holder is required to demonstrate adherence to NHSBT’s core purpose and behaviours and ensuring that the service is equipped to meet the future strategic needs and that regulatory targets and compliance against quality, risk and governance standards are met.
- The post holder will lead major change and service development projects acting as the Accountable Executive / Business lead as appropriate; they will manage the Workstream Leads within any assigned national projects.
- The post holder will act as a named person for professional competence for the Fleet Operator’s license for NHSBT.
- The postholder will have accountability for managing the Transport Central Control tower out of hours operation and Transport Management Planning system.
You will be required to travel and spend time away from base, which will involve working irregular hours and overnight stays when required, with prior notice.
About You
Experience and Knowledge
- Significant management experience in the Transport industry.
- Significant experience in people and resource management.
- Experience of developing transport strategies, including identifying and introducing best practice into the transport service provision.
- Detailed knowledge of Road Transport legislation.
- Experience and knowledge of vehicle technical design and specification.
- Experience of reporting at Executive level.
- Experience of operating with minimal supervision.
- Experience of dealing with highly sensitive, complex, contentious and confidential information.
- Experience of negotiating service contracts (internal and external).
- Experience of managing risk.
- Experience of change management.
- Experience of managing within a Trade Union environment.
- Experience of preparing business cases, both short and long term.
- Asset management experience.
- Budgetary and costing experience in a service environment.
Qualifications And Training
- MSc, equivalent formal Transport Logistic qualification or relevant experience.
- Formal fleet management qualification (International CPC).
- Possess a valid driving licence, allowing you to drive in the UK.
- Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD).
It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary - donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.
Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do. By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work – and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.
You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
What We Offer
- NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
- 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
- NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns).
- We’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow.
- We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career.
- Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth.
This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 18th June 2025. Interviews are anticipated to be held on w/c 30th June 2025 – subject to confirmation.
For informal enquiries please contact – Vicky Jones Senior PA to Paul Taylor Assistant Director – Logistics on Vicky.jones@nhsbt.nhs.uk.
Head of Operations - Logistics employer: NHS Blood and Transplant
Contact Detail:
NHS Blood and Transplant Recruiting Team
Vicky.jones@nhsbt.nhs.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations - Logistics
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the NHS Blood and Transplant's core values: Caring, Expert, and Quality. Demonstrating how you embody these values in your interactions can set you apart during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of NHS Blood and Transplant to gain insights into the company culture and expectations for the Head of Operations role. This can provide you with valuable information that may help you tailor your approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your experience in managing transport operations and implementing service improvements. Highlighting measurable outcomes from past projects can demonstrate your capability to lead effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends and challenges in the logistics and transport industry, particularly within the healthcare sector. Being knowledgeable about these topics can help you engage in meaningful discussions during interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations - Logistics
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in logistics and transport management. Focus on your achievements in leading teams, managing resources, and implementing best practices that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the NHS Blood and Transplant mission. Mention specific examples of how your skills and experiences make you a perfect fit for the Head of Operations - Logistics position.
Demonstrate Knowledge of the Sector: In your application, show that you understand the challenges and regulations within the blood supply chain and tissue services. This will demonstrate your credibility and readiness to take on the responsibilities of the role.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Emphasise your experience in leading change and service development projects. Provide examples of how you've motivated teams and driven operational improvements in previous roles, as this is crucial for the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at NHS Blood and Transplant
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As the Head of Operations, you'll be leading a large team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've motivated and developed teams in the past. Highlight any successful projects where you drove service improvement or transformation.
✨Demonstrate Industry Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and challenges in the transport and logistics sector, especially within healthcare. Be ready to discuss how your knowledge of road transport legislation and fleet management can benefit NHS Blood and Transplant.
✨Prepare for Change Management Questions
Given the role's focus on leading major change projects, expect questions about your experience with change management. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully managed change in previous roles, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Align with NHSBT Values
NHS Blood and Transplant values caring, expertise, and quality. During the interview, make sure to express how your personal values align with these. Share experiences that demonstrate your commitment to high-quality service and patient care.