Plant Health Imports Regional Manager

Are you an experienced leader who thrives in a dynamic and challenging environment?

Would you like to play a vital role in safeguarding plant health, protecting the economy, and supporting food traceability? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for an Imports Regional Manager to join our Plant Health Operations Team at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

This vacancy is based at

• Sevington Inland Border Facility

As an Imports Regional Manager, you will lead a team of Imports Plant Inspectors who deliver physical inspections of plants, planting material & produce at Border Control Points and inspection Centres. You will ensure delivery of regulatory activities, prioritise resources, and maintain high standards of service. This is a role where your leadership will make a real difference to biosecurity and the horticulture and agriculture industries.

You will be expected to spend the majority of you time on site with limited opporunity to work from home. You will be required to work a shift pattern that will include some weekends.

You will

• Manage a team of Imports Inspectors that work a shift pattern of 4 days on and 4 days off to provide 24-hour cover, 7 days a week at the Border Facility ensuring performance, conduct, and attendance meet organisational standards.
• Provide leadership and direction, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Prioritise workloads and resources to meet delivery targets and regulatory requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, operational partners, and internal colleagues.
• Champion best practice and lead your team through organisational change.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, including ISO 17020.
• Participate in emergency and outbreak response activities, including contingency planning and exercises.
• Promote health, safety, and wellbeing across your team.

This role requires occasional detached duty during incidents. Successful candidates must be able to operate without travel restrictions within the delivery area.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.