Workshop Manager (Ref: 15680)

Job summary

Please refer to Job Description

Job description

Job Title

Workshop Manager

Job Grade

HEO

Job Location

National Distribution Centre, Burton Road, Branston. DE14 3EG

Contract Type

Permanent

Business Area

Ministry of Justice Commercial

Working pattern

Monday – Friday

Number of Posts

1

(NDC)

The Ministry of Justice Transport Unit is made up of three core business areas and sits within Commercial directorate.

The National Distribution Centre (NDC) is based in Branston, Staffordshire. It was purpose built in 2003 and the operation is responsible for the collection, storage and delivery of internally manufactured goods, raw materials, prisoner property, mattresses, footwear and a small amount of document storage. The site is also used to support other MoJ activities as and when required.

The warehouse is a modern, 135,000 sq. ft. ‘high bay’ facility which can accommodate 16,500 pallets / stillages in both wide and narrow aisle configurations. In addition there is in the region of 6000 sq. ft. of office space.

The in-house NDC fleet comprises 18 rigid / drawbar vehicles, and three vans providing a scheduled agreed service of approximately 300 visits per month. The fleet is designed to operate on a specialised demount system and this is largely governed by the problems that arise from physical access restrictions in prisons, necessitating a mix of vehicle types. The fleet delivers to the Prison Service estate on a national 5 day week basis, operating a single shift system, supported by ‘nights out’ as and when required.

The Transport Unit is responsible for providing a transport management service to the Ministry of Justice. The unit is also responsible for a specialised vehicle workshop based in Branston, with an engineering and administrative staff of eight. Three field based Regional Engineers, controlled by the transport unit provide a peripatetic service covering England and Wales. The primary functions include the development of transport policy, provision of technical advice and to administer the Crown Indemnity Insurance Policy and commercial insurance requirements.

Fleet Engineering Services (FES) operates out of Building 50 of the Branston site and is situated near the NDC. The facility has been occupied by FES since the late 1980’s. It provides services to HM Prisons and undertakes a wide range of engineering activities which include.

The provision of first line servicing for the National Distribution Centre (NDC) fleet of heavy and light commercial vehicles, as well as second line repairs, bodywork and vehicle modifications.

Design, develop and carry out conversion work on behalf of HMPPS tactical units as per their specifications. FES also undertake work at the start and end of a vehicle’s fleet life for the purchased fleet. This can involve an inspection or necessitate the removal of sensitive equipment before the disposal of a tactical vehicle. FES also inspect all vehicles returned to Branston to establish if they can be re issued to a unit where the requirement does not warrant a new vehicle. For these units FES inspects, costs the parts required, and on agreement with the establishment, undertake the repairs needed to bring the vehicle to a roadworthy legal condition.

Role Summary

The Workshop Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating all activities within a specialist commercial vehicle workshop supporting the Prison Service Fleet. The role ensures the efficient planning and delivery of maintenance, repairs, and technical services, manages staff and resources, and maintains full compliance with health, safety, and legislative requirements. The postholder contributes to strategic service delivery, continuous improvement, and business continuity planning.

Working hours

Monday to Thursday 08:00 to 16:00

Friday 08:00 to 15:30

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop workshop technical staff, ensuring high standards of performance and capability.

• Plan and manage the workshop schedule in line with pre-planned maintenance and urgent repair requests.

• Oversee stock control, parts acquisition, returns, and procurement processes.

• Ensure high-quality workmanship through robust quality control practices.

• Manage safe and compliant disposal of waste materials in accordance with legislation.

• Maintain full health & safety compliance, ensuring all workshop practices meet legal and organisational standards.

• Support business continuity activities and undertake duties to maintain service delivery during disruption.

• Identify and escalate risks, issues, or weaknesses in processes, policies, or service standards.

• Manage and maintain accurate operational, performance, and financial data.

• Challenge misuse of resources and promote value-for-money practices.

• Ensure adherence to all relevant policies including equality, diversity, security, and environmental standards.

• Use technology and workshop management systems to improve efficiency and reliability of service delivery.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience of leading teams, managing performance, and supporting staff development.

• Strong technical background gained through qualifications or practical experience.

• Experience of applying health & safety legislation in a workshop setting.

• Experience using workshop management systems such as CFC Solutions, Jamma K2, or similar.

• Managing stock control, procurement processes, and parts ordering.

• Coordinating maintenance schedules and responding to unplanned operational demands.

• Producing and maintaining accurate operational data, records, and reports.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working with fleet services, transport operations or public sector environments.

• Knowledge of commercial procurement frameworks and contract management

• Managing a busy specialist commercial vehicle workshop or similar technical environment.

Application Stage

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

Experience

• CV

• Statement of Suitability (between 250 - 500 words): this should be based around the key responsibilities and essential criteria

• Necessary licenses and qualifications held

Behaviours

• Managing a quality service

• Delivering at pace

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

• Working together

• Changing and improving

• Leadership

Strengths maybe assessed at the interview, and these are not shared in advance.

To learn more about the Civil Service success profiles framework and how they are assessed please click here.

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,335, Ministry of Justice contributes £10,236 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

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, Strengths and Experience.https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.

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

Job contact :

• Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
• Telephone : 0345 241 5359

Recruitment team

• Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitm…

https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/15680?entityId=15680