Vehicle Commissioning Manager

Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

West Midlands Police is recruiting a Vehicle Commissioning Manager within Fleet & Logistics (Corporate Asset Management). This key role manages the end-to-end process of commissioning newly acquired fleet vehicles to operational specification ensuring vehicles are procured configured converted and deployed efficiently compliantly and cost-effectively. You will oversee commissioning workflows maintain build specifications and technical documentation manage relationships with manufacturers and vehicle converters and work closely with fleet users workshops procurement and senior stakeholders to ensure timely delivery and fleet availability across the Force.

Fleet vehicles are operationally critical to policing the Force relies on properly equipped compliant and ready-to-deploy vehicles to support public safety response capability and frontline delivery. The Vehicle Commissioning Manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring newly acquired fleet vehicles are commissioned efficiently and accurately aligned to operational requirements and Force standards.

This is a modernised role created to strengthen commissioning oversight and improve commissioning performance. You will take ownership of the vehicle commissioning pipeline ensuring clear accountability strong supplier performance accurate specification control and robust commissioning processes.

This is primarily an office-based role with occasional travel across the West Midlands Police estate and to suppliers/contractors as required. The role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-changing operational environment and to respond professionally under pressure.

Key responsibilities:

• As Vehicle Commissioning Manager you will lead the end-to-end commissioning process across the Force fleet including:
• Manage the commissioning workflow to ensure vehicles are prepared and deployed promptly.
• Order vehicles in line with agreed operational requirements and fleet plans working closely with the Fleet Manager.
• Raise purchase orders and support procurement processes to ensure compliant and accurate sourcing.
• Monitor manufacturer delivery schedules and track ETAs to prevent delays to commissioning and fleet availability.
• Maintain and update a database of vehicle build specifications technical drawings and commissioning processes.
• Periodically review and refresh specifications to remain compliant and aligned to operational need and technological advancements.
• Work closely with third-party vehicle converters and suppliers to ensure vehicles are delivered to specification on time and to expected quality standards.
• Source and support identification of suitable converters where required.
• Hold structured supplier review meetings monitor performance and drive continuous improvement through clear performance oversight and constructive challenge/negotiation.
• Oversee maintenance and calibration requirements for commissioning/workshop equipment.
• Order tools/equipment as required to enable efficient commissioning operations.
• Support workforce capability through training upskilling and coaching initiatives.
• Drive commissioning/workshop productivity and quality in line with service standards and SLAs.
• Ensure safe systems of work and a strong safety culture at all times.
• Provide technical support on complex vehicle issues and assist hands-on where appropriate.
• Maintain awareness of automotive developments including electric vehicles ULEZ and emerging technology impacting commissioning and fleet capability.
• Provide operational resilience by covering/deputising for other workshop management roles where needed (e.g. External Works Manager Workshop Controller Planning Manager).
• Undertake additional duties commensurate with the grade and scope of the role.

Essential Skills:

• Youll be an experienced fleet/workshop professional with strong commissioning capability and the confidence to manage stakeholders suppliers and competing priorities.
• Strong experience in vehicle commissioning / vehicle build / conversion processes.
• Experience in procurement processes including raising purchase orders and managing delivery timelines.
• Ability to develop interpret and maintain accurate vehicle build specifications and technical documentation.
• Proven ability to manage supplier relationships and improve performance through structured oversight clear communication and negotiation.
• Experience working in a workshop/fleet environment with focus on productivity quality and operational delivery.
• Strong organisational skills: ability to manage multiple commissioning requirements simultaneously and prevent delays impacting fleet readiness.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) including confidence engaging with senior internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability with the ability to work with minimal supervision.

Desirable

• Experience within a blue light / emergency services fleet commissioning environment.
• Familiarity with technical drawing / CAD tools for vehicle build specifications.
• Awareness or use of workshop/fleet systems to track performance productivity and commissioning data.
• Awareness of emerging automotive technology (EV/hybrid environmental compliance).
• The role includes responsibility for supervising and coordinating a commissioning team
• This role operates with a high degree of autonomy and accountability. Decisions made directly affect:
• Fleet availability and readiness
• Cost control and commissioning efficiency
• Operational policing capability and public service delivery
• Misjudgements could create delay additional cost or reduced operational resiliencetherefore strong judgement accuracy and stakeholder management are essential.

Benefit Statement:

By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:

• Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme.

• Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements.

• Discounts across travel parking daily costs of living and leisure activities.

• A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support free eye tests and flu jabs

• Comprehensive benefits including pension Blue Light Card and employee assistance programme.

Vetting:Successful applicants will be required to pass Recruitment Vetting and Counter Terrorism Clearancescrutiny prior to commencing their role this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical: Successful applicants will be subject to a medical assessment which may include a drug or hearing test.

Interview: TBC

Hours/Location: Logistics Centre 07:00am - 15:30pm Monday to Friday

Contact:For further information email

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a Disability Confident Interview Scheme - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

It is important to notethat there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: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 these circumstances the employer could select the candidates whobestmeet the essential criteria for the job as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities