Job Description

On behalf of the MOD, we are looking for a Head of Supply Chain Architect Inside IR35 for a 6 Month contract based Hybrid working (2 days per week in Bristol, Abbey Wood and remaining WFH)



The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a central government department with a mission to protect our country and provide the ultimate guarantee of its security and independence, as well as helping to protect its values and interests abroad.



The MOD is one of the biggest public procurement organisations in Europe and the single largest customer for UK industry. It currently manages approximately 20 billion of spend on capital investments in equipment and infrastructure every year. Over the next decade the MOD is committed to spending over 190 billion on equipment and support. The MOD's customers include both the armed forces and national security agencies, and it has a diverse range of requirements, including military fighting vehicles, education services, nuclear submarines and facilities management.



The MOD's aim is to provide its armed forces with the best capabilities to enable them to protect the UK's security and advance national interests, both now and in the long term.



To do this the MOD has an annual budget of almost 53 billion and a workforce comprising 197,000 people. of which 54,000 are civilians working for the UK MOD.



The work really matters; the MOD offers a range of engaging roles which have a direct impact on the quality of services they provide, in many locations across the UK. We support teams working in HR, Primary Health Care, Corporate Services, and many others.

About the role:

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is seeking a senior manager to serve as Head of Supply Chain Architecture / Senior Architect



This is an exciting opportunity to join the largest and most complex Commercial and Supply Chain function in government, at a time of fundamental change and reform when the focus is on designing a new future state and making a real difference in creating and delivering value for the MOD, to support in protecting the nation and helping the UK prosper.



The MOD spends over 20bn per year across 6000+ contracts ranging from large equipment platforms such as ships, aircraft and vehicles to critical support contracts and property and FM, corporate services, complex IT and infrastructure, food, clothing and medical supplies.



This crucial role sits within the Supply Chain Directorate (operating pan MOD) reporting into the Deputy Director of Supply Chain Architecture. This role will establish a new capability that will enable the direction & principles to build supply chains which meet Defence's strategic & operational needs though:

Inform & Understanding Supply Chain Policy & Strategy Setting Supply Chain Performance Outcomes Influencing Options Development Generating Supply Chain Design Principles Identifying Supply Chain Design Requirements Ensure Supply Chain Design Implementation

The capabilities will be enabled through 3 service offers which cover the full capability lifecycle. This team will work across Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ), National Armaments Headquarters (NAHQ) and Delivery Organisations depending on the service being provided.



This is following delivering a successful Supply Chain design pilot with the Complex Weapons Strategic Programmes Team and Industry to help identify the design principles for the future Complex Weapons supply chain.



The main duties and responsibilities of the Head of Supply Chain Architect would be to:

Provide Supply Chain Architecture expertise for the MOD and play a key part in the broader Supply Chain Directorate Leadership team. Lead part of the MOD Supply Chain design and architecture service and the delivery responsibilities for developing and embedding it, providing senior level leadership and experience across the department on the future state. Support the Deputy Director of Architecture in developing the maturity and performance of the MOD Supply Chain Capability in terms of processes, technology and people. You will work across Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ), National Armaments Headquarters (NAHQ) and Delivery Organisations to: Shape Supply Chain design principles for future capabilities: Shape the supply chain design & strategy through influencing concept and capability options development & setting design priorities and principles. Enable the implementation of Supply Chain design requirements: Translating design principles into supply chain requirements then securing, evaluating & assuring their implementation through the Capability Acquisition phase Redesign & Optimise Supply Chains to meet future needs: Enabling the optimisation or redesign of the supply chain design to address the impacts of changing requirements & mitigate risk Act as an internal consultant to deliver a new capability across Defence, to: Define supply chain strategies, Generate and assess supply chain options, Identify and assure supply chain requirements and Analyse and optimise existing supply chains. Provide a tailored Supply Chain Architecture service across all aspects of the capability lifecycle: Early conceptual development, Detailed capability design and procurement and In-service operation and support Contribute to the development of the Supply Chain Architecture best practice processes and toolkits. Cultivate and manage a range of relationships and key strategic alliances with internal and external stakeholders. Maintain awareness of MoD and wider HMG/industry policy pertaining to supply chains Maintain engagement with programmes within own portfolio of responsibility to understand when and where the Supply Chain Architecture service is required. Manage and support several concurrent projects/programmes within own portfolio.

You'll be:

A highly resilient, decisive team player with a focus on collective goals. Experienced at decision making at senior levels with minimal direction and is an excellent problem solver Experience in leadership roles in complex organisation transformations, with demonstrable knowledge and successful change delivery across the end-to-end lifecycle Experienced & successful leader, with outstanding relationship & stakeholder management ability with suppliers, clients & colleagues alike. A confident, adaptable communicator able to achieve effective, efficient outcomes A strategic thinker, successful track record in operational delivery, financial control and strategic risk management at senior levels. Experience of implementing Supply Chain Architecture. Practical knowledge & understanding of; tech/capability requirements process, early market engagement, supply chain/industry shaping opportunities & the relative linkages to the acquisition process.

Essential:

Experience of performing at a high-level over a sustained period, in a large organisation which has a complex and uncertain operating environment. A proactive self-starter, able to generate and execute work concurrently. Strong prioritisation skills, able to manage own outputs and time. Deep supply chain knowledge and experience Strong commercial awareness Defence Industry experience highly beneficial Knowledge of MoD organisational design, processes and procedures would be highly beneficial

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.



Disability Confident



As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, the MOD guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.



This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.



Armed Forces Covenant



The MOD guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.



In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.