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- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver essential support for military operations and manage contracts effectively.
- Company: Join Defence Equipment & Support, vital for the UK's military readiness and safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25+ days holiday, flexible working, and a generous pension contribution of 28.97%.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team that values innovation and continuous improvement in defence.
- Qualifications: Experience in Operations Management or related fields is essential; strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Must have lived in the UK for 5 years and obtain Security Check clearance.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location
RAF Waddington, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN5 9NB
About the job
Job summary
At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), we supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. Together, we deliver a vast range of essential defence programmes, and strive for what’s next. Because it helps keep our military at the top of their game and our nation safe – for today, and tomorrow.
We offer 25+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of 28.97%, to help make work work for you.
This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months.
Job description
Come and join us at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) as an Operations Manager.
As an Operations Manager you’ll work closely with industry and internal teams and be accountable for managing delivery, planning, and providing the required support. You’ll have considerable opportunity and responsibility, whilst demonstrating you are a proactive leader with a delivery focused approach. You’ll possess a continuous improvement mindset, and you’ll interpret and utilise management information and data to provide valuable business insights. You’ll encourage a culture of learning from experience, imaginative thinking and expanding mindsets, all in the pursuit of improved quality.
The role is based in our offices at RAF Waddington and we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required for 60% of your working week to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role. Please note that travel to alternative sites may also be required dependent on organisational requirements.
What you’ll be doing
- Leads the team in the delivery of support for in-service capability within area of responsibility, according to the customer requirements, delivery plan, support solution, KPIs, and subsequent governance and reporting requirements
- Implements appropriate governance arrangements for the delivery of the service, aligned with DE&S, Contract and Customer requirements
- Monitors service delivery progress and delivery against customer KPIs utilising Management Information, reporting monthly through reporting drumbeat. Interprets data to identify trends, risks and issues, and continuous improvement opportunities
- Responsible for contract management activities including liaising with suppliers, monitoring and controlling performance against contractual obligations and agreed KPIs, Government Furnished Assets (GFA) management, and coordinates the drafting, tender process and assessment of tenders
- Leads the development of delivery plans, delivery approaches and procurement strategies
- Coordinates resource and cost forecasting and has oversight of Inventory Demand and Supply Planning
- Manages resource, monitors actual spend and updates forecasts accordingly to ensure the integrated support meets customer requirements within budget
- Responsible for ensuring the most cost-effective and efficient means of delivery, whilst mitigating risk and leveraging opportunities
- Leads on risk management activities, accurately assessing impact and likelihood, developing risk responses as well as prioritising, monitoring, reporting and escalating risks as necessary
- Manages assumptions and dependencies, effectively communicating changes with stakeholders
- Leads the development of business cases, and manages assurance, endorsement and approvals through the appropriate channels
Person specification
To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
- Previous experience in an Operations Management role or associated discipline (Project Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business Management, Through Life Support), in a delivery environment
- Evidence of continuous improvement
- Experience of relationship management with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
- Proven ability of managing contracts and suppliers
- Experience in managing budgets, including approvals, monitoring actual spend and updating forecasts
In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:
- Core Behaviour 1: Leadership (CSBC 3)
- Core Behaviour 2: Changing and Improving (CSBC 3)
- Technical Competence 1: Contract Management (Practitioner)
- Technical Competence 2: Continuous Improvement for Optimised Support (Practitioner)
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £43,100, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,486 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 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.
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SayPro DE&S Operations Manager employer: SayPro
Contact Detail:
SayPro Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SayPro DE&S Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) mission and values. Understanding their commitment to supporting the military will help you align your responses during interviews and demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former DE&S employees on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with them can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples of your previous experience in operations management or related fields. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented continuous improvement strategies and managed stakeholder relationships effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the role. Being knowledgeable about these metrics will allow you to speak confidently about how you can contribute to meeting and exceeding them in your potential position.
We think you need these skills to ace SayPro DE&S Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in Operations Management or related fields. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage contracts, budgets, and relationships with stakeholders.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role at DE&S and explain how your background aligns with their mission. Mention your continuous improvement mindset and provide examples of how you've implemented this in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Focus on key skills mentioned in the job description, such as leadership, contract management, and risk management. Use bullet points to make these stand out and ensure they are backed up with concrete examples from your past experiences.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for the Operations Manager role.
How to prepare for a job interview at SayPro
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of the Operations Manager position. Familiarise yourself with DE&S's mission and how this role contributes to their objectives. This will help you articulate your fit for the position during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your leadership abilities, especially in managing teams and driving continuous improvement. Highlight specific instances where you've successfully led projects or initiatives, as this is a key competency for the role.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to contract management and continuous improvement practices. Brush up on relevant methodologies and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in previous roles. This will show your technical competence and readiness for the challenges of the job.
✨Emphasise Relationship Management
Since the role involves liaising with various stakeholders, prepare to discuss your experience in relationship management. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated and collaborated with both internal teams and external suppliers to achieve common goals.
