Trading Standards Operations Manager

Essex

n/a - n/a

£49,160-£57,835

Chelmsford

Fixed-Term

Public Health

Role

Trading Standards Operations Manager

Fixed Term, 3-year contract

Full Time, 37 hours per week

Up to £57,835 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: 29th June 2025

This position will be a mix of hybrid working of home/ field / office based on a flexible basis.

Essex Trading Standards is looking for a highly motivated person to join its team as an Operations Manager.

Essex is one of the largest Shire Counties in the UK with a population of just over 1.8 million and over 25,000 diverse business premises. While we look to support legitimate business activity wherever we can, we don’t shy away from taking on difficult and complex Trading Standards criminal investigations. We will use all tools available to us to ensure businesses in Essex are trading fairly and that those that choose to break the law are investigated and brought to compliance.

As a Trading Standards Operations Manager you will provide strategic and operational management and leadership to a team of front-line Trading Standards professionals as well as strategic input and briefing of senior leaders and elected members. The role is an integral part of the service senior management team, accountable for the triage of demand, tasking (based on risk and intelligence principles), optimum and efficient allocation and use of resources, trend analysis and delivery against key performance indicators.

As part of the service management team, you will be jointly accountable for the continual improvement of the service, leading and implementing specific projects including major investigations, enforcement activity at ports and borders, public health, community safety, and maximising the services commercial potential. You will represent Trading Standards at a regional and national level and use influencing skills to ensure the interests of Essex residents are prioritised.

You will hold either the DCATS, DTS, or an equivalent qualification, along with significant, demonstrable, and current experience in Trading Standards.You will have proven leadership skills with experience of managing cross functional Trading Standards teams. The role will see you leading, managing and mentoring one of three multi-functional teams responsible for handling all incoming demand one week in three – so a good working knowledge of Trading Standards legislation and ability to prioritise is essential.

You will have excellent communication skills and the ability to deal confidently with a range of stakeholders. Excellent organisational and management skills are a must together with the ability to assess, prioritise workload and hit agreed deadlines. You will hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a car that can be used for work.

To read more about our business area, please visit: People, Policy, Economy and Public Health

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) ) on our careers site

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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