Job Description

Please note this role requires full time attendance on site is therefore not suitable for hybrid or remote working.

The address is: National Distribution Centre, Branston, Burton on Trent. DE14 3EG

The National Distribution Centre (NDC)

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.

Role Summary

The Engineering and Fleet Manager provides expert technical and operational leadership across all elements of fleet engineering, fleet management, and vehicle compliance within the Ministry of Justice. This will include insurances, fuel cards, accidents, hire vehicles and EV transition. The postholder ensures that fleet 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 sustainable fleet development, 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.

• Provide 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.

• Ensure efficient and environmentally responsible use of fleet vehicles, MHE and plant equipment.

• 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 including Commercial, Fleet Management Team managers, contractors, and service users.

• Engage positively as an ambassador for Commercial and 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.

Sustainability & Future Fleet Development

• Support MoJ strategic objectives on sustainability, including assessment and implementation of alternative‑fuel vehicles.

• Lead and plan the delivery of future fleet projects and implement environmentally efficient fleet solutions.

• Lead on the acquisition and transition planning for new and future vehicle technologies.

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.

• This role will require line management responsibilities

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.

Essential Criteria

• Engineering qualifications (e.g., IMI, IRTE, NVQ Level 3 or above in vehicle engineering) or equivalent military experience (e.g., REME).

• Proven experience in fleet engineering, vehicle management, or a similar technical transport environment.

• Strong 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 within government or a regulated operational environment.

• Experience with alternative-fuel or low‑emission vehicle technologies.

• Experience using fleet data systems, Excel and Teams

• Knowledge of environmental and sustainability considerations relating to fleet operations.

Application Stage

An initial sift will be performed against the following elements and will be assessed against the Civil Service success profiles framework:

Experience

• CV

• Statement of Suitability (up to 750 words): this should be based around your experience the key responsibilities and essential criteria. Please provide examples demonstrating your experience in fleet management, technical expertise, and management information reporting

Behaviours

We will assess your application on the following behaviours (250 words). Please use the STAR method in your examples.

• Managing a Quality Service - Lead Behaviour

• Leadership

• Making effective decisions

Please note in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift against CV, Statement of Suitability and lead behaviour of “Managing a Quality Service".

If shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview and will be assessed on the selected success profile elements at the interview stage.

Interview stage

The interviews will be held at National Distribution Centre, Burton Road, Branston. DE14 3EG.  The site is shared with B&Q distribution, please follow the road signs for MoJ once entering the site and report to the security gate where you will be directed to the reception to sign in.  The interviews will be held on an Industrial Site and all staff and visitors are required to wear Hi-Vis Vests whilst moving around site; these will be provided by security on arrival, please ask for a vest if not offered one.

Behaviours

• Delivering at Pace

• Changing & Improving

Experience

At interview there will be 1 question around your experience of managing a service and leading a team.

Technical

At interview there will be 1 question around your experience of engineering

Strengths maybe assessed at the interview, and these are not shared in advance.

To learn more about the Civil Service success profiles framework and how they are assessed please click here.

Use the STAR method to structure your examples:

• Situation: Briefly describe the context.

• Task: Explain what you needed to achieve.

• Action: Focus on what you did, how you did it, and why (use “I").

• Result: Share the outcome, including impact, results, and any lessons learned.

Keep Situation and Task concise and focus on Actions and Results.