Operations Manager - Defence vacancy in Hybrid (Bristol 60%/remote) (277lw)

Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Part time

Job summary

Ex-Mill Recruitment Ltd is seeking an experienced Operations Manager for a defence-focused role in a hybrid environment (Bristol on-site ~60% with remote work). The role involves operational leadership across two teams, with technical oversight in an in-service support context and responsibility for contract milestones and service delivery.

Immediate start subject to availability. The ideal candidate has substantial operations management experience in defence or related technical environments,

Qualifications

• Experience in defence, engineering, maritime, weapons or complex technical environments.
• Ability to manage operations across two teams in an in-service support context.
• Strong understanding of contracts, milestones and service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Manage operational activities related to complex weapons in service.
• Support in-service management and delivery of support activities.
• Provide technical and operational support to the wider team.
• Monitor stock control and inventory levels.
• Assist contract management and ensure milestones are achieved.
• Oversee service delivery performance and standards.
• Collaborate with technical specialists and operational stakeholders.
• Develop understanding of equipment, environment and support arrangements.

Skills

Operations management

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Stock control

Service delivery

Technical management

Defence experience

Job description

Operations Manager - Defence vacancy in Hybrid (Bristol 60%/remote) (277lw)

Operations Manager – Defence
Location: Bristol, Abbey Wood – approximately 60% on-site
Contract: 6 months
IR35: Inside IR35
Rate: Rate can be discussed at the point of CV submission
Start: Immediate / subject to availability

We are supporting a confidential requirement for an experienced Operations Manager to join a specialist defence team supporting complex weapons in service.

This is an opportunity that should particularly appeal to ex-Service personnel with strong operational, engineering or technical management backgrounds, especially those who have worked in submarine, naval, weapons, engineering or equipment-support environments.

The Role

Working across two closely connected teams, you will provide operational management and technical support within an established in-service support environment.

The role combines day-to-day operational management with technical oversight, requiring someone who can quickly understand a complex operational environment, establish credibility with technical stakeholders and ensure that contracted services continue to deliver against the required standards.

Key responsibilities will include

• Managing operational activities associated with complex weapons in service.
• Supporting the management and delivery of in-service support activities.
• Providing technical and operational support to the wider team.
• Managing and monitoring stock control and inventory.
• Supporting contract management and ensuring contractual milestones are achieved.
• Monitoring service delivery, standards and performance.
• Undertaking service surveillance and ensuring appropriate standards are maintained.
• Supporting BAU activities alongside wider operational and technical responsibilities.
• Working closely with technical specialists and other operational stakeholders.
• Quickly developing an understanding of the equipment, operating environment and support arrangements.

The Background We're Looking For

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate substantial operations management experience within defence, engineering, maritime, weapons or complex technical environments.

This could suit someone who has previously worked as:

• A Royal Navy / submarine engineer
• A senior military engineer or technical manager
• A Class 1 Officer
• An experienced defence operations manager
• A senior professional from an in-service support, equipment support or complex engineering environment

A background working within MOD or wider Defence would be highly relevant, particularly where this has involved equipment support, contract delivery, technical management or operational assurance.

The successful candidate will need to be able to grasp a complex operational environment quickly and become effective without a lengthy bedding-in period.

What Will Make You Stand Out?

• Significant experience in operations management.
• Strong understanding of contract and service management.
• Experience managing stock, milestones, standards and service delivery.
• The ability to operate confidently within a complex technical environment.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• The judgement and credibility to work with technical and operational specialists.
• Ideally, previous experience within MOD / Defence or a comparable regulated engineering environment.