Head of UK Operations

FCDO Services

Milton Keynes MK19 7BH, UK

On-Site

Expires: Expiring in less than 4 weeks

Transport

Full time

£58,209 per year

Job summary

At FCDO Services, we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Job description

The success of a government project can depend on secure, timely shipments and our Logistics team always deliver the goods. From dedicated drivers to King's Messengers, they've delivered to over 250 destinations worldwide, moving over a million kilograms of freight annually across land, air, and sea. Now, you've got the opportunity to join them.

Delivering globally.

Dispatching each shipment with care.

Seeing your impact go further.

It all matters.

Drive operational excellence locally and globally

This isn’t an ordinary logistics role. It’s a creative one, set in an environment that is nuanced and complex. That’s why we need you. You’ll be the operational lead for all logistics operations for the end-to-end supply chain, striving towards becoming a best-in-class warehouse operation. You’ll bring your strategic mindset to deliver a resilient, cost-effective solution. You’ll manage supplier delivery activity and financial performance for over £35m of critical services for the FCDO and FCDO Services. In short? It’s a job that challenges, yet leaves you feeling fulfilled.

That’s just the start. You’ll also see yourself managing a team of 62 people, while ensuring effective operations across Hanslope Park, King Charles Street, Frankfurt and British Force Post Office. Placing Health and Safety issues at the heart of your solution, you will report back to the Head of Global Logistics to advise on key metrics and changes to the operation. And as a trusted leader, you’ll be the one your team turns to – offering expert guidance, driving local action plans and keeping staff engagement high every step of the way.

Use your leadership skills to deliver with confidence

Of course, you’ll need a professional qualification or relevant experience in management logistics, from supply chain to distribution. But there’s more to it than that. A natural-born leader, you’ll have experience leading large teams, both in the UK and overseas. And your people management skills will not only foster a culture of service excellence, but also allow you to drive operational change, manage risk and plan strategically when needed. Your communication skills are one of your strong points – and it lets you manage relationships, negotiate and influence at a senior level. Pressure rarely gets to you. And your commitment to achieving objectives and delivering service excellence remains unwavering.

Grow your career in a supportive environment

Working with us, you’ll help keep people, information, and assets safe around the world. It’s a role you can feel proud of; and we aim to make every part of your career just as rewarding. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy and select a guide to take you round – we suggest Working in our warehouse, garage and UK & Overseas secure logistics supply chain – to see how the team delivers for government customers and how you could help. Explore the embassy now at virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Additionally, learn more about a career in logistics with us at: fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/career-areas/logistics/

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. You can find out more about vetting on our website: https://www.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Person specification

We are looking for people with :

Excellent relationship management skills with an inclusive communication style at all levels.
Deep knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation.
Ability to negotiate, and influence at a senior level.
Track record in achieving objectives, performance targets and service delivery excellence through teams.
Experience in strategic planning and risk management.
Integrating initiative to delivery customers net zero environmental and sustainability agenda.
Demonstrable delivery via a continuous improvement approach to achieve a consistently high level on cost and quality, with a clear understanding budgeting and lifetime costs.
Resilient under pressure.

Qualifications

A relevant professional, business qualification, e.g. degree and membership of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport or relevant experience in logistics management

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Proven track record of managing Supply Chain, Logistics, Production and Distribution Operations in a global environment.
Excellent leadership and people management skills, including a proven track record in delivering a culture of service excellence.
A proven change agent able to drive strategic and operational change through others.
Track record in achieving objectives, performance targets and service delivery excellence through teams.
Demonstrable delivery via a continuous improvement approach to achieve a consistently high level on cost and quality, with a clear understanding of budgeting and life time costs.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,209, FCDO Services contributes £16,863 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Learning and development tailored to your role.
Annual leave starting at 25 days.
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
A Civil Service pension.
Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV, a personal statement, and provide answers to some job specific questions.

Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.

Your CV should include:

no personal identifying details
career history with key responsibilities
skills and experience
achievements
qualifications

Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.

Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.

Those that are successful will be invited to a MS Teams or Face to face interview.

At the interview you will be asked a blend of questions on technical skills and behaviours.

Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

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 developed vetting (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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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

Salary range

£58,209 per year