Careers

Working at NAAFI is a unique and rewarding experience. Whatever role you go for, you’ll join a supportive, tight-knit community united in its mission to give back to our Forces communities.

Variety is the order of the day at NAAFI, with the chance to work in a range of different roles in amazing destinations. One day you might be serving breakfast in the Officers’ Mess; the next you could be working in retail or serving behind a bar. You could find yourself onboard a Royal Navy Ship in the middle of the Atlantic or serving customers in the Far East.

 

All of our policies are Forces friendly and we welcome applicants from the Armed Forces community, both past and present.

On Land

On Sea

We have teams supporting the Armed Forces around the world. Human Resources, Finance, Commercial and Marketing departments are based at our support offices in Whiteley, Fareham.

Supporting the Forces could also take you further afield; after all, we deliver quality services across Germany, Gibraltar, Brunei, the Falkland Islands, Ascension Island and the UK.

Wherever you work, whatever role you’re in, you’ll make these places feel like home.

Roles on HM Ships provide Navy personnel with home comforts through our unique facilities.

Working onboard an HM Ship is an unbeatable experience, allowing you to travel the world and see amazing places, going wherever the Royal Navy goes.

You have the opportunity to be right at the heart of an incredible sense of community on board. By joining one of our close-knit teams, you will even find yourself playing a non-combatant role in exercises.

On Sea

Roles on HM Ships provide Navy personnel with home comforts through our unique facilities.

Working onboard an HM Ship is an unbeatable experience, allowing you to travel the world and see amazing places, going wherever the Royal Navy goes.

You have the opportunity to be right at the heart of an incredible sense of community on board. By joining one of our close-knit teams, you will even find yourself playing a non-combatant role in exercises.

Join Our Team

At NAAFI, we welcome new skills and enthusiasm. We are very proud of our record of employing and developing Forces veterans, non-serving spouses and dependants. We offer work prospects and careers in varied and interesting locations.

Benefits

As well as giving our team members the opportunity to gain transferable skills and travel the world, we offer an attractive benefits package.

Holiday entitlement

22 days per year + 8 bank holidays – increasing with service

Accommodation

Single synopsis accommodation provided in many locations

Pension Fund

Defined Contribution Scheme

Training Academy

‘Five Steps’ training programme, with pay increases when certain levels are reached

Staff Discount

15% discount in our stores

Vacancies

If you are interested in working for NAAFI, all vacancies are advertised on the Indeed website.

Simply search for ‘NAAFI’.

What our people say

“This job is the opportunity of a lifetime! I love to travel and CSG21 helped me tick off multiple places I’d never thought of going to, as well as some bucket list locations! This job introduced me to my soon-to-be husband and we’re now expecting a child. NAAFI will always hold a special place in my life, it’s a career change I never thought I’d have the courage to do but it’s given me so much confidence.”

Abbi Millross, Canteen Manager, HMS Richmond

“I joined NAAFI in April 2021 and I love working here! My role includes leading and motivating team members as well as controlling, monitoring and planning activity across our Sennelager Family Store. I am profoundly deaf and NAAFI has done everything possible to support me and help me to develop my abilities. I am incredibly proud to work for NAAFI and I highly recommend a career here. It may change your life as it has mine!”

Gavin Jones, Five Step CSA, Sennelager, Germany

"Having only recently joined NAAFI, I am really enjoying my time with the company. Everyone is friendly, supportive, and passionate about what NAAFI stands for and the services we deliver. It is great to be working for a not-for-profit company and to make a difference to the lives of military personnel and their families. As a military wife myself I understand the importance of the support that NAAFI provides.

"My role as a buyer is to source and develop product for the NAAFI . I like the challenges and creativity this presents, and it is great to see new ranges implemented. The company is open to new ideas and initiatives and I feel supported by the decisions I make. It is a really rewarding company to work for and I encourage people to join."

Charlotte Keenan, Commercial Buying Manager

“I joined NAAFI after hearing what a positive experience my sister had working for the team. I moved from the Philippines two years ago and now work at the Gull & Penguin as a supervisor, leading a team of ten. I look after the whole complex, from the shop to the dining area. Working at NAAFI is a unique environment, there are always new, exciting challenges that give me the chance to grow and develop my skills. The managers are very supportive and have given me a great number of opportunities to develop and advance quickly in my role. Best of all about working for NAAFI is that I’ve met and worked with a variety of different people that have helped me develop my character. It’s given me the chance to realise my potential and work in a position I never imagined I would be in.”

Olga Abrigo, Supervisor, Gull & Penguin, Falkland Islands
“I’ve worked with NAAFI for 16 years and in my current role as Team Leader, whilst I deputise for the Trading manager in his absence. I’m responsible for the day-to-day management of our sites, which includes administration duties, and training and development of 28 employees. For me, NAAFI is a company that values and invests in its employees by offering great promotional opportunities and training. You’re well looked after and learn so much on the job. In the Falklands, there is a great culture of diversity, with colleagues from places including Zimbabwe, Kenya, St. Helenians, South Africa and the Philippines. We all have a deep respect for each other’s culture and backgrounds and learn a lot from each other.”
Del Hopkins, Team Leader, Mount Pleasant Complex, Falkland Islands

“I’ve been working with NAAFI since 2012 and moved to Germany when I joined. A lot of my family worked in the Armed Forces and my sister worked at NAAFI. It’s been an amazing experience so far. You get to join a great team and form very strong relationships with a range of people. It’s been fantastic to move abroad and also to have the opportunity to travel and see how NAAFI works in other countries. I like the challenges the role provides and I especially enjoy the busier days when all the troops are in camp. Working at NAAFI is a great experience overall and I would encourage others to not think twice about joining.”

Dave Smith, Supervisor, Normandy Express Shop, Germany

“NAAFI's in my blood! My father, who retired six years ago, used to work at NAAFI as Head of Admin. I started off working at NAAFI as a driver 24 years ago and since then, I’ve worked across all corners of the globe, from Kosovo to Iraq. I’m currently based in the Falklands as an Area Trading Manager which involves managing all the people in the location and reporting to the Director of Operations. There’s never an average day with NAAFI, and that’s what I love about working here. There are always new challenges. Throughout my career, the highlight has always been seeing the smile on our Forces Personnel’s faces when we deliver something new from the UK when they’re thousands of miles from home. It’s very rewarding to comfort our soldiers with simple things like a hot drink and chocolate bar.”

Timothy Clark, Location Manager, Falkland Islands