Logistics and General Munitions Support Operative

Organisation: Defence Equipment & Support 
Salary: £25,400 per annum (plus generous benefits)
Grade: Technical Specialist I
Working Pattern: Full time
Contract Type: Permanent

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.

DE&S has recently been integrated into the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. The NAD Group brings together key Ministry of Defence (MOD) organisations to unite expertise across science, technology, procurement, infrastructure, and support to provide integrated capabilities faster and more efficiently for our armed forces and our allies.  This is an exciting new opportunity to enable better ways of working and empower greater collaboration across Defence. For further information about the NAD Group, please visit: National Armaments Director Group - GOV.UK.

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.

For security reasons this role is open to UK nationals only. 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or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.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. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

Job description

Are you seeking a challenging and interesting opportunity? Defence Munitions (DM) Beith offers the perfect position, join our team as a Logistics & General Munitions Support Operative.

At DM, we receive, store, maintain, and issue a wide range of munitions used by the UK armed forces to train, protect, and serve globally. We are an integral part of the wider Ministry of Defence (MOD) establishment, supporting, procuring, and supplying our troops with the necessary munitions components, spares, and consumables to maintain and process various complex weapons systems.

You will engage in a variety of tasks related to DM, including receipting, storage, issuing, and inventory management. Additionally, you will have opportunities to work on IT support and other administrative tasks, ensuring our armed forces are correctly supported and supplied in a timely and effective manner.

We will provide you with guidance and training in explosives and non-explosives stores accounting and logistic systems and how to operate a range of manual handling equipment such as fork-lift trucks, cranes, and other lifting/moving equipment. You will find this role is full of variety and will give you opportunities to gain experience in DM, the intricacies of working with these items, and the ways in which we transport our goods around the world.

This position is 100% site-based, with core hours from 07:45 to 16:30 Monday to Thursday and 07:45 to 12:45 on Friday. We also offer a flexible work agreement within the hours of 07:15 to 16:45 Monday to Thursday and 07:15 to 13:00 on Friday.

The work can be physically demanding and often outdoors, in challenging conditions, including poor weather. 

Applicants must be over 18 years old to apply due to Explosive Handling Regulations.

Successful candidates will be expected to pass a Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) medical before starting the position.

Once in post you will be required to Complete Weapons Ordnance Munitions & Explosives (WOME) National Operations Standard (NOS) portfolio within 18 months.

Join us and be a part of a team that plays a crucial role in supporting our armed forces.

What you’ll be doing

• Handling munitions and explosives in a safe and efficient manner.
• Ensuring compliance with current Safe Handling Instructions.
• Carrying out before, during and after pre-use checks on Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE).
• Maintaining a high standard of security, cleanliness and housekeeping within the explosive’s storage and processing facilities.
• Assisting with all logistics and storage activities to ensure that customers’ requirements are met on time and in full.
• Checking all routine and/or priority receipts and issues are thoroughly checked paperwork or computer records are correctly completed.
• Monitoring explosives safety including maintaining explosives limits and environmental conditions within the explosives processing facilities.
• Ensuring all palletised loads are prepared and documented in accordance with the relevant Unit Load Specification.
• Once trained, you will be required to operate various pieces of MHE such as a Tow Tractor, Counterbalance, and Side loader.

Please note:

You will need to hold a Full Manual UK driving licence (with a maximum of 6 points) as you will be expected to drive to different warehouses located on the depot site.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Organisational skills with the ability to work in a pressurised environment (Lead Criterion).
• Customer-focused working tight timescales and focused on delivery.
• IT proficient including the use of Microsoft application tools.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Managing a quality service – CSBC2

• Core Behaviour 2: Working together – CSBC2

• Technical Competence 1: Distribution and Warehousing – Awareness level

• Technical Competence 2: Customer Service - Awareness level

Offered benefits

• 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

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.

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 

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Disability Confident:

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.’

Conflicts of Interest:

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.