Vehicle Engineering Manager

The Ministry of Justice Supply and Logistics area is made up of three core business areas and sits within Commercial. Fleet Engineering Services (FES) The provision of first line servicing for the National Distribution Centre (NDC) fleet of heavy and light commercial vehicles, the workshop also provides support to the wider MoJ fleet. The team designs, develops and carries out vehicle conversions for HMPPS tactical units based on their requirements. They are also responsible for managing all vehicles as they enter and leave the fleet. Before a vehicle is disposed of, the team carries out inspections and removes any sensitive equipment. They also inspect vehicles returned to Branston to decide if they can be reused instead of issuing a new one. If a vehicle can be reused, the team assesses its condition, identifies and costs any parts needed, and once agreed with the unit carries out repairs to ensure the vehicle is safe, roadworthy and meets legal standards. National Distribution Centre (NDC) Manages the collection, storage and delivery of goods. These include manufactured items, raw materials, prisoner property, mattresses, footwear, and a small amount of document storage. The site also supports other MoJ activities when needed. The warehouse is a modern 135,000 sq. ft. facility with high storage capacity. It can hold up to 16,500 pallets in both wide and narrow aisles, along with around 6,000 sq. ft. of office space. The NDC operates its own fleet of 22 vehicles, providing around 500 scheduled deliveries each month. Deliveries are made across the prison estate nationwide, operating five days a week on a single shift, with overnight stays when required. Transport Unit Provides transport management services for the Ministry of Justice. It also manages a specialist vehicle workshop in Branston, supported by engineering and administrative staff. The unit's main responsibilities include developing transport policies, providing technical advice, and managing both Crown Indemnity Insurance and commercial insurance requirements., The Senior Vehicle Engineering Manager provides technical and operational leadership across all elements of vehicle engineering, fleet management, and vehicle compliance within the Ministry of Justice. The postholder ensures that vehicle operations are safe, efficient, cost effective and fully aligned with relevant legislation, MoJ policy, and Fleet Management Team standards. The role is responsible for delivering technical guidance, managing the Fleet Engineering Services Department and the Fleet Management Team, supporting a sustainable fleet and working collaboratively with stakeholders across the MoJ, contractors, and local transport team. Working hours: Monday to Thursday: 08:00 - 16:00 Friday: 08:00 - 15:30 Key Responsibilities The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities: Fleet Management & Technical Expertise

• Deliver best-practice technical advice to all fleet users.
• Lead effective fleet management advice to the Ministry of Justice within agreed resources and budget constraints.
• Develop and maintain an up to date knowledge of vehicle legislation, engineering developments, environmental requirements, and emerging technologies relevant to MoJ fleets.
• Provide oversight and guidance for vehicle design specifications, acquisition processes, and delivery of fleet assets.
• Champion and improve the effective use of existing fleet management data systems to deliver better performance and governance.
Health, Safety & Compliance
• Ensure adherence to the Health and Safety at Work Act and all relevant MoJ safety policies.
• Support the Health, Safety & Training (HS&T) Manager to ensure safe systems of work (SSOW) and robust risk assessments (RA) are in place and followed.
• Promote safe engineering practices across fleet and maintenance operations.
• Ensure compliance with MOJ Transport Policy & Procedure guidance across all vehicle activities and users.
• Report any vehicle related incidents, risks, or non compliance issues promptly through appropriate channels.
Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management
• Build and maintain strong, effective working relationships with all key stakeholders.
• Engage positively as an ambassador for the Fleet Management Team at NDC Branston.
• Liaise with local transport coordinators and operational teams to provide expert advice and resolve technical issues.
• Work with colleagues to identify opportunities for consolidation or optimisation of fleet activities.
People Leadership & Management
• Provide effective leadership and management of the Fleet Management Team and Fleet Engineering Services Facility.
• Manage attendance, performance records, and HR requirements within the team.
• Develop team capability through coaching, training, and technical guidance.
• Promote a positive and professional working culture aligned with MoJ values.
Management Information & Reporting
• Produce, analyse, and maintain fleet management information to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Review fleet activities across Fleet Management Team and Commercial to identify improvements and efficiencies.
• Monitor engineering and fleet performance, providing regular updates to senior management.
• Ensure records, technical data, and engineering compliance documentation are accurate and maintained.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alternations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary., Please use STAR approach to structure your examples for both the application and interview for behaviours. Using the STAR method can help you give examples of relevant experience that you have. It allows you to set the scene, show what you did, and how you did it, and explain the overall outcome. Situation: Describe the situation you found yourself in. You must describe a specific event or situation. Be sure to give enough detail for the job holder to understand.
• Where are you?
• Who was there with you?
• What had happened?
Task: The job holder will want to understand what you tried to achieve from the situation you found yourself in.
• What was the task that you had to complete and why?
• What did you have to achieve?
Actions: What did you do? The job holder will be looking for information on what you did, how you did it and why. Keep the focus on you. What specific steps did you take and what was your contribution? Remember to include how you did it, and the behaviours you used. Try to use "I" rather than "we" to explain your actions that lead to the result. Be careful not to take credit for something that you did not do. Results: Don't be shy about taking credit for your behaviour. Quote specific facts and figures. Explain how the outcome benefitted the organisation or your area. Make the outcomes easily understandable.
• What results did the actions produce?
• What did you achieve through your actions and did you meet your goals?
• Was it a successful outcome? If not, what did you learn from the experience?
Keep the situation and task parts brief. Concentrate on the action and the result. If the result was not entirely successful describe what you learned from this and what you would do differently next time. Make sure you focus on your strengths. Additional Information Working Arrangements & Further Information The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended). Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet. Flexible working hours The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy.


• Vehicle qualifications (e.g., IMI, IRTE, NVQ Level 3 or above in vehicle engineering). or equivalent military experience (e.g., REME).
• Experience in a vehicle maintenance environment.
• An understanding of fleet legislation, safety standards, and engineering best practice.
• Ability to provide technical guidance to both specialists and non technical users.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing or overseeing a vehicle/engineering workshop.
• Ability to analyse data, interpret technical reports, and develop solutions.
Desirable Criteria
• Experience using fleet data systems, Excel and Teams
• Fleet Management experience., At interview there will be 2 questions around your similar experience of managing a service and leading a team., Vehicle qualifications (e.g., IMI, IRTE, NVQ Level 3 or above in vehicle engineering). or equivalent military experience (e.g., REME).
  
  The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
A Great Place to Work for Veterans The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

The MoJ offers a range of benefits: Annual Leave Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. Pension The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best. Training The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities. Networks The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Support
• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
• To Transformative Business Services (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.