21890 - Senior Vehicle Engineering Manager

Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 3EG

Contract Type: Permanent

Business Area: Ministry of Justice Commercial

Working pattern: Full-time

Number of Posts: Please note this role requires full time attendance on site and is therefore not suitable for hybrid or remote working.

The address is: National Distribution Centre, Branston, Burton on Trent, DE14 3EG.

The National Distribution Centre (NDC) within the Ministry of Justice Supply and Logistics area is made up of three core business areas. The provision of first line servicing for the NDC fleet of heavy and light commercial vehicles, with support to the wider MoJ fleet. The team designs, develops and carries out vehicle conversions for HMPPS tactical units based on their requirements. They are also responsible for managing all vehicles as they enter and leave the fleet. Before a vehicle is disposed of, the team carries out inspections and removes any sensitive equipment. They also inspect vehicles returned to Branston to decide if they can be reused instead of issuing a new one. If a vehicle can be reused, the team assesses its condition, identifies and costs any parts needed, and once agreed with the unit, carries out repairs to ensure the vehicle is safe, roadworthy and meets legal standards.

Manages the collection, storage and delivery of goods, including manufactured items, raw materials, prisoner property, mattresses, footwear, and a small amount of document storage. The site also supports other MoJ activities when needed. The warehouse is a modern 135,000 sq. ft. facility with high storage capacity, holding up to 16,500 pallets in both wide and narrow aisles, along with around 6,000 sq. ft. of office space. The NDC operates its own fleet of 22 vehicles, providing around 500 scheduled deliveries each month across the prison estate nationwide, operating five days a week on a single shift, with overnight stays when required.

The Transport Unit provides transport management services for the Ministry of Justice and manages a specialist vehicle workshop in Branston, supported by engineering and administrative staff. The unit’s main responsibilities include developing transport policies, providing technical advice, and managing both Crown Indemnity Insurance and commercial insurance requirements.

Role Summary: The Senior Vehicle Engineering Manager provides technical and operational leadership across all elements of vehicle engineering, fleet management, and vehicle compliance within the Ministry of Justice. The postholder ensures that vehicle operations are safe, efficient, cost effective and fully aligned with relevant legislation, MoJ policy, and Fleet Management Team standards. The role is responsible for delivering technical guidance, managing the Fleet Engineering Services Department and the Fleet Management Team, supporting a sustainable fleet and working collaboratively with stakeholders across the MoJ, contractors, and local transport team.

Working hours: Monday to Thursday: 08:00 – 16:00, Friday: 08:00 – 15:30

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver best-practice technical advice to all fleet users.
• Lead effective fleet management advice to the Ministry of Justice within agreed resources and budget constraints.
• Develop and maintain an up to date knowledge of vehicle legislation, engineering developments, environmental requirements, and emerging technologies relevant to MoJ fleets.
• Provide oversight and guidance for vehicle design specifications, acquisition processes, and delivery of fleet assets.
• Champion and improve the effective use of existing fleet management data systems to deliver better performance and governance.

Health, Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure adherence to the Health and Safety at Work Act and all relevant MoJ safety policies.
• Support the Health, Safety & Training (HS&T) Manager to ensure safe systems of work (SSOW) and robust risk assessments (RA) are in place and followed.
• Promote safe engineering practices across fleet and maintenance operations.
• Ensure compliance with MOJ Transport Policy & Procedure guidance across all vehicle activities and users.
• Report any vehicle related incidents, risks, or non compliance issues promptly through appropriate channels.

Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain strong, effective working relationships with all key stakeholders.
• Engage positively as an ambassador for the Fleet Management Team at NDC Branston.
• Liaise with local transport coordinators and operational teams to provide expert advice and resolve technical issues.
• Work with colleagues to identify opportunities for consolidation or optimisation of fleet activities.
• Provide effective leadership and management of the Fleet Management Team and Fleet Engineering Services Facility.
• Manage attendance, performance records, and HR requirements within the team.
• Develop team capability through coaching, training, and technical guidance.
• Promote a positive and professional working culture aligned with MoJ values.

Management Information & Reporting:

• Produce, analyse, and maintain fleet management information to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Review fleet activities across Fleet Management Team and Commercial to identify improvements and efficiencies.
• Monitor engineering and fleet performance, providing regular updates to senior management.
• Ensure records, technical data, and engineering compliance documentation are accurate and maintained.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and are not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Qualifications:

• Vehicle qualifications (e.g., IMI, IRTE, NVQ Level 3 or above in vehicle engineering) or equivalent military experience (e.g., REME).
• Experience in a vehicle maintenance environment.
• An understanding of fleet legislation, safety standards, and engineering best practice.
• Ability to provide technical guidance to both specialists and non-technical users.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing or overseeing a vehicle/engineering workshop.
• Ability to analyse data, interpret technical reports, and develop solutions.
• Experience using fleet data systems, Excel and Teams.

Application Stage: An initial sift will be performed against the following elements and will be assessed against the Civil Service success profiles framework:

• Experience
• Statement of Suitability (up to 250 words): this should be based around your experience of the key responsibilities and essential criteria.
• Behaviours: We will assess your application on the following behaviours (250 words). Please use the STAR method in your examples.

Please note in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift against CV, Statement of Suitability and lead behaviour of “Managing a Quality Service”. If shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview and will be assessed on the selected success profile elements at the interview stage.

Interview stage: The interviews will be held at National Distribution Centre, Burton Road, Branston, DE14 3EG. The site is shared with B&Q distribution; please follow the road signs for MoJ once entering the site and report to the security gate where you will be directed to the reception to sign in. The interviews will be held on an Industrial Site and all staff and visitors are required to wear Hi-Vis Vests whilst moving around site; these will be provided by security on arrival, please ask for a vest if not offered one.

Behaviours: We will assess your application on the following behaviours. Please use the STAR method in your examples.

• Changing and improving
• Delivering at pace

Experience: At interview, there will be 2 questions around your similar experience of managing a service and leading a team. Strengths may be assessed at the interview, and these are not shared in advance.

Additional Information:

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full-time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

The MoJ offers a range of benefits: Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension: The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training: The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks: The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management.

Support: A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share. Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint.

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace.

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