Operations Manager

GTC Recruitment; West of England; On-site; GBP 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

GTC Recruitment seeks an experienced Operations Manager to support a defence environment in Bristol. Role spans operational and technical teams to manage complex weapons and systems across their lifecycle.

Key tasks include procurement strategies, risk assessments, supplier governance, and post-trial evaluations, with SC clearance required. 60% onsite work, Bristol-based, 6-month contract under Inside IR35 rules.

Qualifications

• Significant Operations Management experience within Defence or a similarly complex technical environment.
• Experience managing contracts, suppliers, deliverables and performance.
• Experience with complex technical systems, equipment or weapons.
• Experience in logistics, stock control or equipment management.
• Strong stakeholder management across technical and operational teams.
• Experience of risk, compliance, quality and service assurance.
• Experience managing schedules, budgets and KPIs.
• Strong understanding of Defence operational processes and governance.
• Current SC Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operational activities within a complex Defence environment.
• Support the management of complex weapons and technical systems throughout their lifecycle.
• Develop and implement acquisition strategies aligned with Category A Approval requirements.
• Plan and oversee tactical development firing trials, ensuring safety, governance and compliance.
• Manage suppliers and contracts, including milestones, deliverables and performance.
• Support procurement of equipment and services.
• Coordinate logistics and equipment delivery, including stock and associated operational processes.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, KPIs and delivery performance.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
• Monitor service delivery and undertake supplier/service surveillance.
• Coordinate with technical, procurement, legal, logistics and operational teams.
• Support systems/equipment integration and development of operational procedures.
• Prepare and manage Category A Approval documentation.
• Report progress and key issues to senior stakeholders.
• Conduct post-trial evaluations and capture lessons learned.

Skills

Operations Management

Contract management

Supplier management

Stakeholder management

Risk & compliance

Budgeting and KPIs

Job description

Location: Bristol, Abbey Wood – 60% onsite

Contract: 6 months

IR35: Inside IR35

Rate: £650 per day Umbrella

Security Clearance: SC Clearance required

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to support a specialist Defence environment in Bristol. The role sits across closely linked operational and technical teams, supporting the delivery and in-service management of complex weapons and technical systems.

This is an operationally focused role requiring someone who can quickly understand a complex technical environment and manage competing requirements across technical, commercial, logistics and operational stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operational activities within a complex Defence environment.
• Support the management of complex weapons and technical systems throughout their lifecycle.
• Develop and implement acquisition strategies aligned with Category A Approval requirements.
• Plan and oversee tactical development firing trials, ensuring safety, governance and compliance.
• Manage suppliers and contracts, including milestones, deliverables and performance.
• Support procurement of equipment and services.
• Coordinate logistics and equipment delivery, including stock and associated operational processes.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, KPIs and delivery performance.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
• Monitor service delivery and undertake supplier/service surveillance.
• Coordinate with technical, procurement, legal, logistics and operational teams.
• Support systems/equipment integration and development of operational procedures.
• Prepare and manage Category A Approval documentation.
• Report progress and key issues to senior stakeholders.
• Conduct post-trial evaluations and capture lessons learned.

Essential Experience

• * Significant Operations Management experience within Defence or a similarly complex technical environment.
• * Experience managing contracts, suppliers, deliverables and performance.
• * Experience with complex technical systems, equipment or weapons.
• * Experience in logistics, stock control or equipment management.
• * Strong stakeholder management across technical and operational teams.
• * Experience of risk, compliance, quality and service assurance.
• * Experience managing schedules, budgets and KPIs.
• * Strong understanding of Defence operational processes and governance.
• * Current SC Security Clearance.

Desirable Experience

• * Previous Defence experience.
• * In-service support environment.
• * Defence acquisition and Category A Approval.
• * Complex weapons systems.
• * Development firing trials.
• * Engineering, particularly submarine engineering or engineering management.
• * Class 1 Officer experience.
• * Systems/equipment integration.
• * Experience at a senior professional/management level, with responsibility for complex operational, technical and stakeholder requirements.

Interview Process

Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams, with shortlisted candidates progressing directly to the Hiring Manager