Digital Logistics Lead

AQA Recruiting; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

AQA is hiring for an Internal Logistics Lead in Manchester. You will oversee teams delivering both digital and physical exam materials, ensuring on-time, high-quality delivery across each exam series. The role focuses on planning, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement within a hybrid working model.

You will manage peak periods, optimise processes, and collaborate with stakeholders to maintain service levels and learner outcomes across the country.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams within logistics, operations, distribution, fulfilment, or a similar environment.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Experience monitoring performance, tracking delivery against plans, and managing operational risks.
• A data-driven approach with the ability to analyse information and identify improvements.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience developing processes, quality standards, or continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Leading teams of seasonal and fixed-term colleagues during peak delivery periods.
• Managing the picking, packing, filing, quality checking, and distribution of physical and digital exam materials.
• Supporting operational planning for each exam series, including resource, space, and capacity requirements.
• Monitoring performance against agreed KPIs and SLAs, identifying risks and escalating issues where required.
• Producing regular progress updates and management information for stakeholders.
• Allocating workloads and ensuring resources are deployed effectively.
• Creating and maintaining training materials, work instructions, and quality assurance processes.
• Analysing operational data to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and productivity.
• Collaborating with teams across AQA to support the successful end-to-end delivery of exam series.

Skills

Team leadership

Logistics operations

Data analysis

Communication

Continuous improvement

Job description

About the role

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Digital Logistics Lead Manchester £32,900 - £37,300 Hybrid working: a minimum of 2 days per week in the office

In this role, you'll be responsible for:

You’ll play a key role in ensuring exam materials and digital assessments are delivered accurately, on time, and in full throughout the year. Your focus will be on keeping operations running smoothly, maintaining high service standards, and supporting outcomes that matter to learners.

Responsibilities

• Leading teams of seasonal and fixed-term colleagues during peak delivery periods.
• Managing the picking, packing, filing, quality checking, and distribution of physical and digital exam materials.
• Supporting operational planning for each exam series, including resource, space, and capacity requirements.
• Monitoring performance against agreed KPIs and SLAs, identifying risks and escalating issues where required.
• Producing regular progress updates and management information for stakeholders.
• Allocating workloads and ensuring resources are deployed effectively.
• Creating and maintaining training materials, work instructions, and quality assurance processes.
• Analysing operational data to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and productivity.
• Collaborating with teams across AQA to support the successful end-to-end delivery of exam series.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives and embedding best practice across logistics operations.

What’s in it for you?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a critical operational function and make a genuine impact on the delivery of assessments that support learners across the country.

• The chance to lead teams and influence operational performance.
• Exposure to large-scale logistics and exam delivery operations.
• Opportunities to drive process improvements and implement new ways of working.
• Collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders across the business.
• A varied role that combines leadership, planning, analysis, quality assurance, and problem-solving.
• Hybrid working with a balance of office and home-based working.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Experience leading teams within logistics, operations, distribution, fulfilment, or a similar environment.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Experience monitoring performance, tracking delivery against plans, and managing operational risks.
• A data-driven approach with the ability to analyse information and identify improvements.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience developing processes, quality standards, or continuous improvement initiatives.
• The ability to remain calm and make effective decisions in fast-paced operational environments.
• A proactive mindset and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes.
• A passion for operational excellence and customer service.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background, is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. You'll join an environment where inclusive language is encouraged, stereotypes are challenged, and representation is actively promoted across all dimensions of diversity. Applications are welcomed from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Full Job Description Summary

The Internal Logistics Lead is responsible for ensuring Logistics KPIs are met for quality, productivity and service in the picking, packing, filing and distribution of both digital and physical exam materials on time and in full for every series throughout the year. Leading a team of seasonal temporary and fixed term workers, determined by the departments resource and capacity plans. Monitor and report on processes both within the department and to external stakeholders, while managing risks effectively and leading continuous improvement, working collaboratively with other teams involved in the end-to-end delivery of the exams series to ensure that AQA never lets a learner down.

Landscape: Reporting to the Internal Logistics Operations Manager and working alongside other operational colleagues, Internal Logistics Lead will lead delivery teams for the reverse logistics and QC processes for physical MEP examined and moderated work ahead of issuing of results. Support the digital delivery of media based components from centres (via DMP) and onward supply to stakeholders for downstream processes (post results, awarding, marking review, remarks, review of marking, etc), reporting and updating as required. Liaise with all AQA departments, closely monitor all agreed SLAs capturing and reporting on associated management information Activities:

Activities:

• Supporting the Internal Logistics Operations Manager with all planning for each series in relation to departmental activity, including series set up (space, capacity, resource), regular progress reporting, incident escalation and post series reviews.
• Manage the set up and allocations .of work to seasonal temporary workers
• Support the preparation of supporting materials such as work instructions, training collateral and quality assurance checklists
• Contribute to effective delivery plans for peak activity periods which include detailed expenditure and resourcing requirements to meet performance KPIs whilst operating within and achieving financial targets.
• Analyse data and identify opportunities to streamline processes, optimise efficiency, and minimise errors.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders as required to ensure clear lines of communication and accountability
• Contribute to CI across the team by establishing and embedding best practice and ensuring that any improvements are also aligned with wider strategic priorities.

This list of activities is not exhaustive, other tasks may apply and change in line with business needs. To be successful in this role, you will need to know how to:

• Consistently model the AQA values.
• Lead teams of temporary workers throughout each series.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to create confidence in delivery of all departmental related activity.
• Operate within the agreed governance framework for end-to-end series delivery.
• Engage in wider business strategic priorities and share subject matter expertise as needed eg Project Turing etc.

AQA is an independent charity that sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A-levels in the UK every year. Our purpose is to advance education by helping students and teachers to realise their potential. As part of AQA, you’ll very quickly appreciate the determination and unwavering passion to deliver this goal in everything we do. To help drive these ambitions, AQA invests in the development of its people by offering a range of professional development and learning opportunities leading to over 50% of our permanent roles being filled internally.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in the role, please contact the recruiter named in the vacancy advert or your interview correspondence. They will work with you to ensure the appropriate support is in place and that the process is as accessible and equitable as possible. If you're unsure who your recruiter is, or can't reach them, contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at [e-mail] or 07813 724161, and she'll direct you to the right person. Please note that Faye cannot assist with temporary vacancy enquiries or non-recruitment matters. For temporary vacancies, contact [e-mail].

Smart Working

We’re operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.

Diversity and inclusion

AQA is committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can do their best work. We value the different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds our people bring, knowing they strengthen our culture, decision-making and impact. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Conflict of Interest

Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 and 5 public examinations.

Safeguarding

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly. For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here.

Contact

Temporary roles: [e-mail]

Permanent and Fixed Term roles: [e-mail]

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