Plant & Bee Health 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 two Regional Managers to join our Plant Health Operations Team at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

These vacancies are based in:

• South West Region with office locations at Exeter, Truro, Launceston or Bridgewater.

• North East Region with office location at York (Sand Hutton)

All posts will be offered in merit order based on location and business need.

As a Regional Manager, you will lead a team of Plant Inspectors and Horticultural Marketing (HMI) inspectors across a geographic area.  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 horticultureand agriculture industries.

You will: 

• Manage a geographically dispersed team, 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 regular travel within the region and occasional detached duty during incidents. Successful candidates must be able to operate without travel restrictions within the delivery area. 

We are looking for an experienced and confident leader with a positive attitude who can motivate and inspire a team to deliver effectively and efficiently, particularly during periods of change. 

You will have: 

• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, and the ability to analyse and use data to inform decisions. 

• Practical experience in horticulture, agriculture, or the fresh produce industry. 

• Awareness or understanding of statutory plant health controls. 

• A commitment to developing and supporting your team, recognising individual skills, experience, wellbeing, and development needs and working through HR cases and policy when required. 

As a Civil Servant, you will demonstrate honesty, integrity, and impartiality. You will also be supported in your own development. through workshops, online training, mentoring, and coaching. 

Essential Criteria 

• Leadership & People Management Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop teams, delivering KPIs, SLAs and service expectations while supporting staff wellbeing and managing HR processes.
• Analysis, Decision-Making & Problem Solving Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data and evidence to identify issues, develop solutions and make informed business decisions.
• Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly to diverse audiences and build effective working relationships.
• Collaboration & Partnership Working Strong interpersonal skills and experience working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams, including regional and operational colleagues, to deliver consistent service standards.
• Change Leadership & Resilience Ability to lead and support organisational change, demonstrate Civil Service values, and remain adaptable and resilient in challenging or evolving environments.
• Operational Delivery & Quality Assurance Experience delivering operational services within quality assurance frameworks, managing multiple priorities and projects, and ensuring high standards of performance and compliance.
• Industry Knowledge & Regulatory Awareness Understanding of relevant legislation or regulatory frameworks, with knowledge or experience of the plant health, horticultural or agricultural sectors, and confidence in using technology to support service delivery.