Deputy Head of Fleet & Equipment

There has never been a better time to join South Western Ambulance Service Trust's Fleet team as a Deputy Head of Fleet and Equipment. This key role will require people management and leadership skills to coordinate the day-to-day operations within our Fleet and Equipment teams across the organisation. The aim is to maximise the availability of ambulances and equipment for the delivery of high-quality patient care. We are looking for a committed, passionate person to create and develop an engaged and highly motivated team by providing positive, inspirational, and highly visible leadership, acting as an ambassador for the Fleet and Equipment department. This role will be based at our Exeter site with the opportunity for hybrid working and supported essential travel to workshops and meetings providing a direct overview of the Department.

Main duties of the job:

• Ensure Fleet and Equipment service centres achieve agreed performance targets including financial targets and complete work to trust and industry Health and safety standards.
• Responsible for the procurement of vehicles and equipment and ensuring they are maintained to high standards and are safe, roadworthy, legal to use, clean and well presented.
• Supporting the Head of Fleet & Equipment and working alongside the Fleet and Equipment area Managers to ensure all Fleet, Medical devices and Make ready systems and processes are effective and efficient.
• Provide seamless support to the Operations department by effectively managing vehicle and equipment procurement, maintenance standards, performance and reliability issues, system and data standards.
• Manage planned maintenance and unplanned work activity to ensure performance targets are achieved at all service centres.
• Manage resource efficiently by overseeing service centre use of third party maintenance provider’s controlling and minimising expenditure.
• Deputise for the Head of Fleet and equipment as required.
• Contributes to strategic procurement of Vehicles and Equipment including medical devices providing advice and guidance as part of the corporate procurement programme.
• Ensures compliance with statutory and local policy’s, SOPs and procedures throughout the F&E service.
• Highly developed specialist knowledge, and experience of Fleet and Equipment strategy.

Working for our organisation:

Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day. We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core. The role is based in Exeter, one of the most vibrant, attractive and historically interesting cities in England, with excellent transport links and a great mix of independent shops, cafes and bars. If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples’ lives, then we would love to hear from you. In return we will equip you with the skills and resources you need to thrive in your role. You will have opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and enjoy continuous professional development.

Benefits:

• A standard working week of 37.5 hours.
• Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years.
• Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working.
• Career and salary progression.
• Car leasing scheme.
• Free parking across Trust sites.
• Staff networks.
• Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK.

Person specification:

• Professional knowledge acquired through a good standard of general education to degree level.
• Holds or working towards a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject or has relevant experience.
• Full driving licence held for at least one year with no current endorsements.
• Experience of management and supervision of staff and budgets.
• Can demonstrate effective leadership and managing from distance, able to interpret KPI’s and remedy deficiencies.
• Good organisational skills with ability to think laterally and innovatively.
• Attended a Vehicle Inspectorate inspection or equivalent course relevant to PSV or HGV vehicle maintenance.
• Has completed a recognised Motor Vehicle/Engineering Apprenticeship/or training program.
• Motor Vehicle Craft Studies parts 1,2 & 3 or Motor Vehicle Technicians parts 1, 2 & 3 or BTECH equivalent.
• Qualifications in vehicle or general engineering in mechanical/electrical or electronic discipline or relevant subject.
• If driving test passed, or retaken, after 1/1/97 must hold a C1 to drive any A&E Ambulance.