Warehouse Operative

Organisation: Defence Equipment & Support 
Salary: £25,400 (plus generous benefits)
Grade: Technical Specialist I
Working Pattern: Full time
Contract Type: Permanent

Job Summary 

At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), we supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. Together, we deliver a vast range of essential defence programmes, and strive for what's next. Because it helps keep our military at the top of their game and our nation safe – for today, and tomorrow.

DE&S has recently been integrated into the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. The NAD Group brings together key Ministry of Defence (MOD) organisations to unite expertise across science, technology, procurement, infrastructure, and support to provide integrated capabilities faster and more efficiently for our armed forces and our allies.  This is an exciting new opportunity to enable better ways of working and empower greater collaboration across Defence. For further information about the NAD Group, please visit: National Armaments Director Group - GOV.UK

We offer 25+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of 28.97%, to help make work work for you.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months.

Job description

Are you ready to take on an exciting and dynamic role where no two days are the same? We’re looking for motivated individuals to join our team as Warehouse Operatives at Defence Munitions Glen Douglas – a unique and vital part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). This is your chance to play a key role in supporting the Armed Forces, making a real difference.

As a Warehouse Operative, you’ll be at the heart of operations, ensuring the safe and efficient handling of General Munitions and Complex Weapons. From receiving and storing to maintaining and issuing critical equipment, your work will directly support the MOD’s mission to equip the Armed Services. This role offers a fantastic mix of teamwork and independent working, giving you the chance to develop your skills and take on a variety of responsibilities. You’ll operate a wide range of mechanical handling equipment in our state-of-the-art warehouses, and you’ll also get hands-on experience with tasks like berthing, loading, and unberthing Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships at our deep-water jetty, as well as operating fixed machinery and securing ISO containers.

We need multi-skilled, flexible individuals who thrive in a fast-paced environment. Most importantly, you’ll have a passion for safety and a commitment to following strict processes and procedures. Your attention to detail will ensure that ammunition and explosives are handled with the utmost care, maintaining the highest standards of safety and consistency.

This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. You’ll be working in a unique environment, contributing to the defence and security of the nation. Plus, you’ll enjoy a 37-hour working week which is 100% site based, with a schedule that gives you your Friday afternoons free: Monday to Thursday: 08:00 - 16:30 and Friday: 08:00 - 13:00.  Owing to the site location, successful candidates will need reliable personal transport to travel to and from work.

What you’ll be doing

• Ensure all routine and/or priority receipts and issues are thoroughly checked, and that paperwork or computer records are completed accurately.
• Handle munitions and explosives in a safe and efficient manner to comply with Safe Systems of Work.
• Assist with packing and unpacking of ISO Containers.
• Operate a variety of Mechanical Handling Equipment to carry out various driving duties, including loading, and unloading, delivering, or collecting units, and be proficient in the use of hand tools/wood working equipment as required for their duties. Full training will be provided adhering to Health and Safety regulations.
• Assist with all logistics and storage activities to ensure that customers’ requirements are met on time and in full, this may include working on-board HM Ships and at other military establishments.
• As directed, assist other team members, or carry out additional ad-hoc tasks appropriate to the role.
• Maintain a high standard of security, cleanliness and housekeeping within the explosive’s storage and processing facilities.
• Monitor explosives safety including maintaining explosives limits and environmental conditions within the explosives storage processing facilities.
• Ensure all palletised loads are prepared and documented in accordance with the relevant Unit Load Specification.

Please note: Work will be conducted in mixed/varied working environments. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be always worn (and will be provided). Successful candidates will be expected to pass a Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) medical before they are permitted to operate any equipment.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Previous warehouse or stock management experience
• Basic IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Office application tools
• Hold a Full UK manual transmission driving licence
• Over the age of 18 years old, due to Explosive Handling Regulations

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Working Together (CSBC1)
• Core Behaviour 2: Delivering at Pace (CSBC1)
• Technical Competence 1: Distribution and Warehousing - Awareness
• Technical Competence 2: Customer Service - Awareness

Offered benefits

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of - and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

#LI-Onsite

Further Information

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles - Civil Service Commission 
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-candidate-information-pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code - Civil Service Commission 

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Disability Confident:

Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.’

Conflicts of Interest:

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

Selection Process Details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift  - We will check your application to ensure that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift  - Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
3. Interview - If you're invited to interview, you will be assessed against the following:

• CV Review
• Core Behaviour 1
• Core Behaviour 2
• Technical Competencies

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the ranking of the assessed behaviours and competencies below:   

• 1st: Core Behaviour 1 
• 2nd: Core Behaviour 2 
• 3rd: Technical Competencies 
• 4th: CV Review 

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise the Lead criteria, and/or an additional assessment. Please note for this specific assessment, the Lead Criteria will be: Previous warehouse or stock management experience.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.  

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email (NAD-Recruitment-Complaints@mod.gov.uk.) If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints - Civil Service Commission 

Join an integral part of the UK's Defence and play your part in the procurement and in-service support of all our armed forces’ equipment, from fighter jets, armoured vehicles and aircraft carriers, to clothing, food, and ammunition. If you have the pride, passion and commitment to be part of an exciting organisation at the forefront of supporting our country's armed forces to deliver on operations at home and abroad, then apply online now! Critical upkeep. Essential supplies. World-class service and first-class support. Our Operational Delivery function is responsible for the management and delivery of in-service support for the equipment used by the UK military – from the first day of launch to the day it’s retired from service. From munitions handling experts and hands-on support at the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) to critical in-office operations that keep everything moving – this function is a professional home for talented civilian and military staff who are dedicated to delivering the best.

Please see the MOD Privacy notice which informs how we will use your personal data, explains your rights and gives you information you are entitled to under Data Protection legislation.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Please click here to find out more.

DE&S/SDA and MOD Main internal applicants will need to apply through MyHR Internal Career Portal via the DE&S/SDA jobs tile. This can be found on the MyHR home page.

Please ensure you check your junk mail for email notifications from the DE&S/SDA Talent Acquisition Team.  To stop notifications being sent to your junk mail please add the following email address (emvz.fa.sender@workflow.g1mail.em1.ukg.oraclecloud.com) to the Safe Senders list in your email account.