DE&S Senior Operations Manager (Logistics Storage)
UK Ministry of Defence
Date: 14 hours ago
City: Gosport, England
Contract type: Full time

Stoke Gifford, South West England, BS34 8JH : Longtown, North West England, CA6 5LX : Temple Herdewyke, West Midlands (England), CV47 2UD : Tarbet, Scotland, G83 7BA : Beith, Scotland, KA15 1JT : Crombie, Scotland, KY12 8LA : Plymouth, South West England, PL5 2TQ : Gosport, South East England, PO13 0AH
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or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.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
Are you an experienced operations leader looking to make a real impact? If so, Defence Munitions is offering an exciting opportunity to step into a pivotal role as a Senior Operations Manager (Logistics Storage).
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 Senior Operations Manager at Defence Munitions, you will be responsible for the development and implementation of both current and future storage strategies and policies for Ordnance, Munitions, and Explosives (OME), as well as associated non-explosive inventory held across the organisation. This role is critical in ensuring that storage solutions are safe, efficient, and aligned with operational requirements.
A key aspect of the role involves managing munitions dispersal. You will be expected to balance the need for resilience and strategic dispersal with available storage capacity, while also planning for contingency scenarios and surge outload requirements. Your ability to anticipate and respond to dynamic operational demands will be essential.
You will also play a vital role in shaping the future of defence logistics by contributing to upcoming defence projects that impact logistics activities. This includes engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to understand evolving requirements and influence future options, ensuring that Defence Munitions remains agile and forward-looking in its logistics capabilities.
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.
You can base yourself from any following site locations:
MOD Abbey Wood, Filton, Bristol, Avon BS34 8JH,
Defence Munitions Gosport, Gosport, Hampshire PO13 0AH,
Defence Munitions Beith, Beith, Ayrshire KA15 1JT
Defence Munitions Kineton, Kineton, Warwickshire CV47 2UD
Defence Munitions Longtown, Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 5LX
Defence Munitions Crombie, Crombie by Dunfermline, Fife KY12 8LA
Defence Munitions Plymouth, Ernesettle Lane, Plymouth PL5 2TQ
Defence Munitions Glen Douglas PO Box 1, Arrochar, Argyll and Bute, G83 7BA
What You’ll Be Doing
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 Senior Operations Manager at Defence Munitions, you will be responsible for the development and implementation of both current and future storage strategies and policies for Ordnance, Munitions, and Explosives (OME), as well as associated non-explosive inventory held across the organisation. This role is critical in ensuring that storage solutions are safe, efficient, and aligned with operational requirements.
A key aspect of the role involves managing munitions dispersal. You will be expected to balance the need for resilience and strategic dispersal with available storage capacity, while also planning for contingency scenarios and surge outload requirements. Your ability to anticipate and respond to dynamic operational demands will be essential.
You will also play a vital role in shaping the future of defence logistics by contributing to upcoming defence projects that impact logistics activities. This includes engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to understand evolving requirements and influence future options, ensuring that Defence Munitions remains agile and forward-looking in its logistics capabilities.
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.
You can base yourself from any following site locations:
MOD Abbey Wood, Filton, Bristol, Avon BS34 8JH,
Defence Munitions Gosport, Gosport, Hampshire PO13 0AH,
Defence Munitions Beith, Beith, Ayrshire KA15 1JT
Defence Munitions Kineton, Kineton, Warwickshire CV47 2UD
Defence Munitions Longtown, Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 5LX
Defence Munitions Crombie, Crombie by Dunfermline, Fife KY12 8LA
Defence Munitions Plymouth, Ernesettle Lane, Plymouth PL5 2TQ
Defence Munitions Glen Douglas PO Box 1, Arrochar, Argyll and Bute, G83 7BA
What You’ll Be Doing
To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
Must be willing to attend and successfully pass Defence Academy:
Further Information
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:
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: [email protected]. 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
Declaration of Outside Interests.
The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
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
Are you an experienced operations leader looking to make a real impact? If so, Defence Munitions is offering an exciting opportunity to step into a pivotal role as a Senior Operations Manager (Logistics Storage).
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 Senior Operations Manager at Defence Munitions, you will be responsible for the development and implementation of both current and future storage strategies and policies for Ordnance, Munitions, and Explosives (OME), as well as associated non-explosive inventory held across the organisation. This role is critical in ensuring that storage solutions are safe, efficient, and aligned with operational requirements.
A key aspect of the role involves managing munitions dispersal. You will be expected to balance the need for resilience and strategic dispersal with available storage capacity, while also planning for contingency scenarios and surge outload requirements. Your ability to anticipate and respond to dynamic operational demands will be essential.
You will also play a vital role in shaping the future of defence logistics by contributing to upcoming defence projects that impact logistics activities. This includes engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to understand evolving requirements and influence future options, ensuring that Defence Munitions remains agile and forward-looking in its logistics capabilities.
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.
You can base yourself from any following site locations:
MOD Abbey Wood, Filton, Bristol, Avon BS34 8JH,
Defence Munitions Gosport, Gosport, Hampshire PO13 0AH,
Defence Munitions Beith, Beith, Ayrshire KA15 1JT
Defence Munitions Kineton, Kineton, Warwickshire CV47 2UD
Defence Munitions Longtown, Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 5LX
Defence Munitions Crombie, Crombie by Dunfermline, Fife KY12 8LA
Defence Munitions Plymouth, Ernesettle Lane, Plymouth PL5 2TQ
Defence Munitions Glen Douglas PO Box 1, Arrochar, Argyll and Bute, G83 7BA
What You’ll Be Doing
- Manage personnel within the Operations and Logistics functions, as directed by the Assistant Team Leader Munitions (ATLML).
- Lead the planning and execution of resilient munitions dispersal, including both general and complex weapons.
- Collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs) and processing leads to ensure all Defence Lines of Development (DLODs) are considered.
- Act as the focal point for tracking and reporting progress against dispersal targets and identifying and highlighting areas of risk in current dispersal efforts.
- Support the development of Strategic Base Outload plans, focusing on commodity dispersal and DLOD requirements for rapid deployment.
- Coordinate Defence Munitions outloading capabilities and refine plans to support surge operations.
- Represent Defence Munitions in defence-wide stakeholder groups, capacity audits, and modelling workstreams.
- Ensure DM’s capabilities align with broader defence logistics strategies.
- Provide expert advice on OME logistics and storage to support ongoing operations, income generation, and future projects.
- Implement and develop rough-cut capacity planning across all DM sites to forecast logistics needs and resource impacts.
- Monitor and update site storage capacity data and advise on optimal use of storage assets.
- Assess storage performance and utilisation to support operational efficiency.
- Oversee updates to the Non-Explosive Capacity Tool to guide decisions on storage use for routine operations and income opportunities.
- Assist ATLML in reviewing and responding to income generation requests through the DM Form 5 and DE&S Initial Look processes.
- Monitor the effectiveness of logistics personnel training.
- Work with the Assistant Team Leader Business Operations to ensure staff maintain the required technical qualifications (Log SQEP).
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 Senior Operations Manager at Defence Munitions, you will be responsible for the development and implementation of both current and future storage strategies and policies for Ordnance, Munitions, and Explosives (OME), as well as associated non-explosive inventory held across the organisation. This role is critical in ensuring that storage solutions are safe, efficient, and aligned with operational requirements.
A key aspect of the role involves managing munitions dispersal. You will be expected to balance the need for resilience and strategic dispersal with available storage capacity, while also planning for contingency scenarios and surge outload requirements. Your ability to anticipate and respond to dynamic operational demands will be essential.
You will also play a vital role in shaping the future of defence logistics by contributing to upcoming defence projects that impact logistics activities. This includes engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to understand evolving requirements and influence future options, ensuring that Defence Munitions remains agile and forward-looking in its logistics capabilities.
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.
You can base yourself from any following site locations:
MOD Abbey Wood, Filton, Bristol, Avon BS34 8JH,
Defence Munitions Gosport, Gosport, Hampshire PO13 0AH,
Defence Munitions Beith, Beith, Ayrshire KA15 1JT
Defence Munitions Kineton, Kineton, Warwickshire CV47 2UD
Defence Munitions Longtown, Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 5LX
Defence Munitions Crombie, Crombie by Dunfermline, Fife KY12 8LA
Defence Munitions Plymouth, Ernesettle Lane, Plymouth PL5 2TQ
Defence Munitions Glen Douglas PO Box 1, Arrochar, Argyll and Bute, G83 7BA
What You’ll Be Doing
- Manage personnel within the Operations and Logistics functions, as directed by the Assistant Team Leader Munitions (ATLML).
- Lead the planning and execution of resilient munitions dispersal, including both general and complex weapons.
- Collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs) and processing leads to ensure all Defence Lines of Development (DLODs) are considered.
- Act as the focal point for tracking and reporting progress against dispersal targets and identifying and highlighting areas of risk in current dispersal efforts.
- Support the development of Strategic Base Outload plans, focusing on commodity dispersal and DLOD requirements for rapid deployment.
- Coordinate Defence Munitions outloading capabilities and refine plans to support surge operations.
- Represent Defence Munitions in defence-wide stakeholder groups, capacity audits, and modelling workstreams.
- Ensure DM’s capabilities align with broader defence logistics strategies.
- Provide expert advice on OME logistics and storage to support ongoing operations, income generation, and future projects.
- Implement and develop rough-cut capacity planning across all DM sites to forecast logistics needs and resource impacts.
- Monitor and update site storage capacity data and advise on optimal use of storage assets.
- Assess storage performance and utilisation to support operational efficiency.
- Oversee updates to the Non-Explosive Capacity Tool to guide decisions on storage use for routine operations and income opportunities.
- Assist ATLML in reviewing and responding to income generation requests through the DM Form 5 and DE&S Initial Look processes.
- Monitor the effectiveness of logistics personnel training.
- Work with the Assistant Team Leader Business Operations to ensure staff maintain the required technical qualifications (Log SQEP).
To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
- Experience working in a Weapons Ordnance Munitions Explosive (WOME environment) or significant equivalent experience in military logistics at a managerial level including an appreciation of Hazard Class 1 within a logistics environment.
- Relevant experience in logistics planning/scheduling.
- Experience working in management in a delivery environment operating in a large, highly complex organisation.
- Experience of Continuous Improvement and Implementing change.
- Experience of Stakeholder and Relationship management.
- Experience in delivering Customer Service.
Must be willing to attend and successfully pass Defence Academy:
- OME Awareness within 12months of appointment.
- OME Intermediate within 24 months of appointment.
- WOME 7.11 Manage the storage of explosive substances and/or articles
- WOME 7.13 Manage stock levels and stock inventories of explosive substances and/or articles
- WOME 7.16 Maintain stock control systems for explosive substances and/or articles
- WOME 13.8.3 Provide technical or safety advice and/or guidance to others on explosives
- Stakeholder Management –Practitioner
- Service Delivery Planning - Practitioner
- Communicating and Influencing - CSBC 3
- Making Effective Decisions - CSBC 3
- 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
- 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
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
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 1st: Core Behaviour 1
- 2nd: Core Behaviour 2
- 3rd: Technical Competencies
- 4th: CV Review
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: [email protected]. 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
Declaration of Outside Interests.
The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
- Name : Daniel Bone
- Email : [email protected]
- Email : [email protected]
See more jobs in Gosport