Operations Manager - Timber Harvesting & Marketing

This is an exciting opportunity to join West Forest District's Operations Leadership Team and take responsibility for the safe, effective and efficient harvesting and marketing of over 200,000 tonnes of sustainably produced team per annum.

Background
Forestry England is part of the Forestry Commission. West England Forest District is responsible for the sustainable management of over 38,000ha of the Nation's Forests in the west and south-west of England. The north of the District extends from woodlands near Shrewsbury, southwards to the majestic oak and beech woods of Savernake Forest in Wiltshire and in the south-west the District stretches as far as Idless Woods near Truro in Cornwall. The District is managed from the District Office at Coleford, in the Forest of Dean, supported by 13 local Forest Beat or Forest Visitor Centre delivery teams dispersed across the Forest District. These local teams are responsible for the professional delivery of agreed work programmes assisted by a team of business support staff.

As part of the district's Operations Leadership Team, the postholder will contribute strongly to delivering the Forestry England strategic aim "Connecting everyone with the nation's forests by creating and caring for our forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and business to grow" in accordance with the approved Business Plan as we work towards delivering Superb Forests through being an Outstanding Organisation. You will lead a harvesting programme of >200,000m3obs, and in the region of £9m income derived from a blend of standing sales and direct production.

Purpose of the Job

Lead the West Forest District timber harvesting & marketing business function to effectively and efficiently deliver our strategic objectives. As part of the District's Operations Leadership Team, the postholder will contribute strongly to delivering the Forestry England strategic aim "Connecting everyone with the nation's forests by creating and caring for our forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and business to grow" in accordance with the approved Business Plan as we work towards delivering Superb Forests through being an Outstanding Organisation.

The district is committed to only delivering forestry that we are proud of, and to that end the Operations Managers have a critical role in supporting front-line delivery teams to meet industry guidance and best practice, co-ordinating effectively and efficiently across all areas of our work.

The Operations Manager - Timber Harvesting and Marketing specifically leads the safe, efficient and effective harvesting and marketing of over 200,000 tonnes of conifer and broadleaf timber each year. Ensuring beat foresters and the direct-production team plan, implement and communicate work plans and harvesting contracts efficiently and effectively, maintaining and improving standards of safety, environmental protection and silvicultural management.

In line with our West FD strategic plan, the postholder will look to improve how we tell the story of sustainable forestry, encouraging teams to positively communicate the importance of well planned and executed timber harvesting operations to stakeholders and visitors, networking effectively with our Communications & Marketing officers, and team of community rangers.

The postholder acts as a role model embedding the Leadership model behaviours into everyday working practices to demonstrate exemplary leadership.

This post lends itself to blended working, with an appropriate combination of work from an office environment, home and regular support visits to beat offices and work sites.

Key Work Areas

Leadership
- Provide a clear point of leadership and expertise or the H&M function across the district.
- Line manage the Direct Production Manager.
- Support staff and maintain a positive culture of collaboration and expertise.
- Ensure that all H&M activity is carried out to the highest safety and environmental standards.
- Represent Forestry England acting as prime contact with the timber trade in the west and south-west of England.

Planning, Management and Control
- Construct the annual H&M Sales and Marketing Plans in support of the District Business Plan and Long Term Financial Model.
- Liaise closely with the FE National Team ensuring activity is aligned to national objectives, policies and procedures
- Monitor outputs and provide regular, accurate forecasts.
- Contribute to the ongoing UKWAS certification of the Public Forest Estate.
- Ensure that safety is at the forefront of H&M activity and manage proactively for the wellbeing of the team.

Customers and Stakeholder Management
- Maintain effective communications with all sections of the timber trade within your area of influence.
- Foster good relationships with our stakeholders and those affected by H&M operations, including forest visitors and neighbours.
- Support a strong harvesting and haulage contractor base achieving good value for money and resilience in the sector.
- Ensure that your staff are supported and that everyone has a safe and healthy environment in which to work.