Workshop Operations Manager

Thales; Emsworth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense technology company in Emsworth is seeking a Workshop Operations Manager to oversee military equipment maintenance and coordinate technician activities. The role requires proven technical experience, team management, and strong communication skills. Candidates must hold an HNC or equivalent and be willing to obtain SC clearance. Flexible working options are available to support your lifestyle.

Benefits

Market leading training and development

Opportunities for internal mobility

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience with fault diagnosis, repair, testing and maintenance.
• Ability to manage tasks in a team-oriented environment.
• Effective communication with customers regarding technical details.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate workshop activities.
• Manage equipment maintenance and readiness.
• Coordinate tasks using MoD applications.

Skills

Proven work experience in a technical field (mechanical or electrical)

Hands-on experience with military equipment

Ability to diagnose technical issues

Excellent problem-solving skills

Team collaboration skills

Computer literacy in MS Office

Education

HNC or equivalent in an engineering or technology discipline

Job description

Location : Emsworth United Kingdom

Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea and air. From early warning to threat neutralisation our platforms cover all levels from very short‑range systems to extended protection across the entire battle‑space including Airspace Mobility Solutions Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence Optronics and Radar.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK we research, develop and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well‑being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part‑time hours, job sharing, home working or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Workshop Operations Manager

Thorney Island

About the role

We are looking for a Workshop Operations Manager Lead to provide supervision, coordination and planning of IRT Technician activity in support to UK MoD equipment primarily at the Thorney Island facility but also in the field at customer locations.

Workshop Operations Manager responsibilities include coordination of workshop activities which include fault diagnoses, repair, testing, overhaul, integration, assembly and maintenance of military assets. All of these attributes will assist in achieving equipment availability in accordance with the master schedule set by the customer. Working within a team environment the responsibility for achieving equipment availability and maintaining readiness levels will be the primary focus.

The jobholder will identify and co‑ordinate electro‑mechanical servicing and maintenance tasks to be completed and then be responsible for certifying the functionality of equipment against relevant support documentation. They will oversee and complete fault diagnoses, repair, testing, overhaul and refurbishment again certifying functionality at the end of each process. The jobholder will be required to appraise line management and customer representatives of their progress and equipment status regularly.

They will also manage capture of data sets for the use and inclusion in reports and applications. All elements of the above could be undertaken at our base location of Thorney Island but also at various customer‑located sites.

The jobholder will coordinate work using MoD applications such as JAMES. They will also co‑ordinate activities on Thales applications such as Oracle Open Asset and Workday.

Key responsibilities & tasks

• Undertake tasks as directed works without direct supervision.
• Supervise completion of tasks within deadlines as set by line management.
• Communicate task status directly to line management.
• Communicate and explain to customers technical details relating to product and serviceability states.
• Manage recording and capturing of data.
• Direct customer request and issues correctly ensuring correct capture of information for reporting purposes.
• Manage equipment updates on MoD JAMES application.

Problems Faced

• Working in a challenging and varied environment with time sensitive deadlines.
• Must be able to adapt quickly to changing priorities and targets due to changes in program requirements.
• Challenging technical problems with multiple causes that require a logical and investigative approach.
• By nature of design and location of equipment the jobholder must be able to cope with working in difficult ambient environmental conditions and physical positions.
• Working on a wide range of equipment from complex weapon systems to automotive tracked vehicles to computer generated simulators.
• Using their own initiative and discretion to diagnose faults and subsequently repair hardware.

Skills & Experience

• Proven work experience in a technical field (mechanical or electrical).
• Hands‑on experience and a good understanding of military equipment.
• Ability to diagnose and troubleshoot basic technical issues.
• Ability to work well within a team environment.
• Ability to manage a team in a high‑pressure environment.
• Excellent problem‑solving and communication skills.
• HNC or equivalent in an engineering or technology discipline.
• Full UK driving licence (Cat H desirable but not essential).
• Computer literate, proficient in using MS Office applications.

Customer focussed

• Excellent communication skills and an ability to work co‑operatively with others.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Flexible and adaptable to fast paced changing environments.
• Self‑motivated and proactive.
• Expected to work overtime as required often at short notice.

What We Can Offer

We’re committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority so you’ll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse global organisation.

Flexibility

Your health and well‑being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part‑time hours, job sharing, home working or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

Security Clearance

This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held; however if not currently held it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve and maintain SC Clearance. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

To be eligible for full SC you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 some circumstances a minimum of 3 years residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted with additional overseas checks.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency – United Kingdom Security Vetting.

Key Skills

• Computer Hardware
• Lean Manufacturing
• APQP
• Quality Assurance
• Data Collection
• ISO 9001
• Microsoft Dynamics Navision
• Landscape Maintenance
• Fabrication
• Precision Measuring Instruments
• Mechanical Engineering
• Process Engineering

Employment Type

Full‑Time

Experience

Years

Vacancy

1