DBA/Data Engineer

The Database Administrator (DBA) is responsible for the performance, integrity, security, and availability of mission critical databases across a hybrid estate consisting primarily of Microsoft SQL Server.

remote, with one day working from Cannock per month.

This is a hands on role focused on day to day database operations, performance optimisation, and continuous improvement. You will support real time operational systems and ensure database platforms are scalable, resilient, and aligned with business needs.

Key Responsibilities

· Write, optimise, and maintain SQL code to support business and operational systems

· Develop and enhance stored procedures, views, functions, and advanced query constructs (including CTEs and window functions)

· Design and maintain database schema using DDL, including tables, indexes, constraints, and triggers

· Ensure data integrity, consistency, and quality across all systems

· Support developers and analysts with efficient and scalable data access patterns

· Monitor and proactively improve database performance across live environments

· Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks using execution plans, query analysis, and index/statistics optimisation

· Manage and optimise transactions, locking, blocking, and deadlocks

· Conduct real-time troubleshooting of performance issues impacting operations

· Use tools such as SQL Profiler and Extended Events to diagnose performance issues

· Investigate and resolve production incidents and perform root cause analysis

· Manage database security, including users, roles, and permissions

· Ensure adherence to security best practices, data protection standards, and compliance requirements

· Support SQL Server BI capabilities, including SSAS (cube preparation) and SSRS (report development and maintenance)

· Create, manage, and monitor SQL Server Agent jobs

· Automate routine database operations, including backups and maintenance tasks

· Implement and maintain database maintenance activities, including index and performance optimisation

· Support capacity planning and scalability improvements

· Design, manage, and test backup, restore, and disaster recovery processes

· Perform database server administration, including installation, configuration, patching, upgrades, and storage management, * How many years SQL Database experience do you have

• What are your salary expectations for the role?
• Do you have SQL developing experience, if so how many years?

· Experience in high volume, real time transactional environments with high concurrency and uptime requirements (e.g. logistics, e-commerce, financial systems)

· Strong hands-on SQL Server DBA experience in a production environment

· Advanced SQL skills including: DML (complex queries, stored procedures, CTEs, window functions), DDL (schema design, indexing strategies, triggers)

· A deep understanding of query performance tuning, execution plans and indexing

· Locking, blocking, and deadlocks

· Experience with performance monitoring tools (Profiler, Extended Events, DMVs)

· Knowledge of SQL Server Agent and automation

· Experience with SSAS and SSRS

· Strong understanding of database security and access control

· Experience managing backups, restores, and maintenance plans

Desirable Skills

· Knowledge of High Availability and Disaster Recovery solutions and business continuity planning.

· Familiarity with MySQL and cloud based managed database services (e.g. AWS RDS, Azure SQL

· Exposure to data warehousing and ETL processes, including experience supporting reporting and analytics workloads

· Experience supporting business intelligence (BI), reporting, and dashboarding solutions, including tools such as Microsoft Power BI

· Exposure to modern analytics and AI assisted business intelligence capabilities within platforms such as Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft Copilot, or cloud AI/ML services

· Experience with monitoring tools

Pay: Up to £60,000.00 per year

The APC is the UK’s largest independent parcel delivery network, with more than 90+ locations nationwide and millions of parcels delivered every month. Headquartered in Cannock, we operate in a fast paced, high-volume environment where reliability, clarity, and continuous improvement are essential.