Operations Managers - Harvesting & Marketing

Lead the Harvesting and Marketing function to deliver safe, sustainable and commercially successful timber harvesting, marketing and supply operations across the East Forest District.

Provide strategic leadership for harvesting programmes, timber sales, contractor performance and stakeholder engagement while contributing to the wider Forestry and Land Management team, Strategy and Business Plan.

Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.

Key responsibilities & accountabilities

Leadership and Management

• Lead, inspire and develop the Harvesting and Marketing team and associated contractors. Promote a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture. Play a key role within the Forestry and Land Management Team and deputise for the Head of Land Management as required.

Operational Delivery

• Plan and deliver annual harvesting programmes in line with business objectives, industry standards and UKWAS requirements. Ensure harvesting operations are delivered safely, efficiently and to agreed quality standards.

Timber Marketing and Commercial Management

• Lead timber sales and marketing activities. Maintain strong relationships with timber buyers, processors and commercial partners. Maximise timber value and contribute to income targets. Through your team, work with Foresters to ensure continuity and quality of timber supply.

Financial Management

• Manage significant harvesting income and expenditure budgets. Monitor performance, forecast income and costs, and report against key performance indicators.

Health, Safety and Environmental Management

• Champion a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture. Ensure corporate and legal compliance and environmental standards are maintained throughout all operations.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent Forestry England with customers, industry partners, contractors, communities and regulatory bodies. Build productive relationships across the organisation and wider sector.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours.

How to apply…

We cannot accept applications via email. Please follow the steps outlined below. Any CVs and/or personal statements sent outside the system will not be considered for shortlisting.

You will be asked to write a 200 word statement on your relevant experience and career history, along with a personal statement of no more than 500 words. You will be assessed on both during sifting. More details about how to apply are listed on the application form.

The Behaviours being assessed at interview are –

• Leadership
• Managing a quality service
• Changing and improving
• Making effective decisions
• Delivering at pace

You may also be assessed on Experience, Strength based questions, and/or the Technical Success Profile at the interview. The technical element could include a presentation, practical or written task.

Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and the government baseline personnel security standard check.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk.

If you're planning to use AI to support your application, please ensure you've read our guidelines here first.

Read more about our application process and working with us on the Forestry England website.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.