Job Details

Australian Defence Force Academy, Officer

At sea, Supply Officers are responsible and accountable for the delivery of all logistic support functions required by the ship (material) and the ship’s company (personnel). Specific activities include the provision of spare parts for maintenance, port visit planning and replenishment, catering, hospitality services, financial management, and the business management of all logistic support functions (material and personnel) to sustain a high level of capability and operational readiness. The Supply Officer, as the responsible officer for the Logistic department, analyses and advises Command on resource sustainability in meeting the capability and readiness of the ship.

In addition to specific core logistic responsibilities, the Supply Officer must be able to lead the Logistic department in support of whole-ship operational evolutions which are key to the daily routine of a ship, whether alongside or at sea. Two key roles are the management of the flight deck and helicopter control responsibilities, and the leadership responsibility during heightened states of readiness where the ship is about to, or has received, an element of damage. Both roles are critical to maintaining a high state of readiness and capability that ensures the Navy mission is achieved.

Ashore, the Supply Officer is employed in a number of domains such as Operational Logistics (national and international), major projects and capabilities, through-life support for naval and Defence platforms, logistics policy, training and career management. These key areas are further expanded in responsibility for financial management, Integrated Logistic Support Management in the delivery of naval capability, and a highly valued maritime logistic skill set in the conduct of operations and exercises with Australian and foreign military forces.

The above management functions require a Supply Officer to be adept at performing in an environment where changing operational imperatives often require leaders to rapidly re-assess priorities in support of the Command aim. Supply Officers must have a very good understanding of operational priorities, the impact upon capability (material & personnel) and logistic business practices to ensure a thorough analysis is conducted and the correct decision is made. The Supply Officer in formulating the recommendation to Command will have a very good team of experienced superiors and subordinates. Each member of the Logistic department is highly trained and capable of providing subject matter expertise, within their specific field, and an honest assessment on how the decision will impact upon personnel. All aspects will be considered by the Supply Officer in the delivery of sustained capability.

While the focus of a Supply Officer's early career remains qualifying for sea service and serving at sea, there will be intermittent periods where a Supply Officers will be employed ashore. Many of the positions ashore will require a high level of logistic knowledge supporting current and new capability, policy, training, and the coordination of logistics support for naval units deployed into operational areas (national and international).

The Logistic department is built upon the three pillars of support:

• Core. Encompassing logistic support, training and policy development in support of the Fleet;
• Material. Delivery of maritime logistic knowledge, and requirements, into the development and delivery of current and future capability; and
• Joint. Ensuring a high degree of maritime logistic knowledge is delivered in support of maritime elements working as part of a joint military force or, in conjunction with other Australian Defence Organisations.