OME Operational Readiness Manager

QinetiQ; Amesbury; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matched contribution pension scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Health & Private Medical Insurance

Employee discount portal

Armed Forces Covenant support

Volunteering Opportunities

Job summary

QinetiQ is seeking an OME Operational Readiness Manager at Boscombe Down to lead safe, compliant management of licensed explosive facilities and laboratories. You’ll oversee OME operations, facilities, regulatory compliance, and customer engagement to support research, test, evaluation and operations with top safety standards.

Essential qualifications include experience in OME operations, explosives safety, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience in Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives operations.
• Ability to lead in high-hazard, regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of Health & Safety, security and COSHH.
• Experience managing facilities, laboratories and technical operations.
• Excellent communication and customer engagement skills.
• Ability to conduct risk assessments, audits and investigations.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe operation, compliance and continuous improvement of licensed facilities and laboratories.
• Manage lifecycle of OME activities: receipting, storage, inspection, movement, disposal and safety.
• Coordinate facility operations, resources, equipment, contractors and maintenance.
• Act as primary customer interface, providing operational oversight and hazard management advice.
• Conduct risk assessments, audits, assurance reviews and emergency preparedness activities.
• Maintain facility accountability and licensing records, promoting safety culture.

Skills

OME operations

Explosives safety

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Hazard management

Education

Recognised technical apprenticeship, HNC/HND, Degree or equivalent relevant experience

Job description

Package: £41,400– £46,000 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits

Role ID: SF20561

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as an OME Operational Readiness Manager at our Boscombe Down site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As an OME Operational Readiness Manager, you will lead the safe, compliant and effective management of licensed explosive facilities, laboratories and operational areas at Boscombe Down.

Day to day, you’ll oversee Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) operations, facility and equipment management, regulatory compliance, and customer engagement, acting as the primary operational interface for customers and a recognised Subject Matter Expert. You will ensure facilities, personnel, assets, and processes are maintained to support the safe and effective delivery of research, test, evaluation, and operational activities, while upholding the highest standards of safety, security, and compliance.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead the safe operation, compliance, and continuous improvement of licensed explosive facilities and laboratories, ensuring adherence to all relevant safety, security, quality, and regulatory requirements
• Manage the full lifecycle of OME activities, including receipting, storage, inspection, movement, accounting, disposal, and explosives safety management
• Coordinate facility operations, resources, equipment, contractors, and maintenance activities to support customer requirements and successful project delivery
• Act as the primary interface for customers and stakeholders, providing operational oversight, technical advice on hazard management, and embedded support where required
• Conduct risk assessments, audits, inspections, assurance reviews, incident investigations, and emergency preparedness activities, implementing effective control measures
• Maintain facility accountability through accurate compliance and licensing records, HSE management (including COSHH and hazardous substances), personnel coordination, and the promotion of a strong safety culture and continuous improvement

Essential experience of the OME Operational Readiness Manager

• Significant experience in Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) operations, explosives safety management, and regulatory compliance
• Proven ability to provide operational leadership and stakeholder management within high-hazard and regulated environments
• Experience managing facilities, laboratories, and technical operational environments, ensuring safe and effective delivery
• Strong knowledge of Health & Safety, Security, explosives regulations, and the application of safe systems of work
• Skilled in conducting risk assessments, audits, assurance activities, and implementing effective control measures
• Excellent communication, customer engagement, planning, coordination, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage

Essential qualifications for the OME Operational Readiness Manager

• Recognised technical apprenticeship, HNC/HND, Degree or equivalent relevant experience

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at our Boscombe Down site

MOD Boscombe Down is a unique operational site featuring the longest military runway in the UK. Primarily focusing on providing testing, evaluation and support services for aviation and aerospace systems. Renowned for its extensive flight testing capabilities the site plays a vital role in the UK’s aviation defence contributing to the development, testing and airworthiness of military aircraft enhancing operational readiness and effectiveness.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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Our Recruitment Process

At QinetiQ we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences drives innovation and leads to better outcomes for our people, customers and communities. We encourage applications from all candidates and are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing [e-mail]. One of our recruitment team will contact you.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community