Job Description

Head of Facilities

Location: Devon
Job Type: Permanent, Full-time
Working Pattern: On-site, 4.5-day week

We are recruiting for an experienced Head of Facilities to join a large, established manufacturing organisation based in Devon.

This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for the facilities, estates and infrastructure that support a complex manufacturing operation. You’ll take ownership of facilities strategy and operational delivery across multiple sites, covering everything from compliance and maintenance through to utilities, contractor management and major capital projects.

We’re looking for an experienced facilities leader who is comfortable operating at both a strategic and operational level within a large, technically demanding environment.

The Role

As Head of Facilities, you will:

• Lead and develop the Facilities Department, setting clear objectives and priorities
• Take responsibility for facilities operations across a large and complex estate
• Oversee the maintenance of buildings, utilities and site infrastructure
• Plan and deliver facilities works using internal teams and external contractors
• Manage contractor control and ensure works are completed safely and effectively
• Ensure compliance with relevant health & safety, environmental and building regulations
• Support compliance with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001
• Manage emergency facilities response and escalation procedures
• Develop long-term maintenance and asset replacement programmes
• Support utilities strategy and infrastructure planning
• Lead significant facilities, estate and capital development projects
• Work closely with operational and production teams to resolve critical facilities issues
• Manage third-party suppliers, contractors and service agreements
• Maintain accurate compliance, inspection, risk assessment and method statement records
• Produce regular facilities reports for senior management
• Identify emerging risks and opportunities for improvement
• Develop and manage departmental operating budgets
• Work closely with Finance on annual budgets and investment requirements

Leadership

A significant part of this position will involve leading and developing the existing Facilities team.

You’ll be expected to create a culture built around safety, accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement, while providing coaching, mentoring and clear direction to the department.

You’ll also work closely with senior management and other departments, so the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels will be important.

What We’re Looking For

We’re particularly interested in speaking with candidates who have:

• Significant experience within Facilities Management, ideally within manufacturing, engineering, industrial or another complex operational environment
• Experience operating at Head of Facilities, Facilities Director, Senior Facilities Manager, Head of Estates or a comparable level
• Experience managing large or multi-site estates and property portfolios
• Strong knowledge of facilities, estates, infrastructure and regulatory compliance
• Experience delivering significant capital development or infrastructure programmes
• Strong knowledge of health, safety and environmental requirements
• Experience working within CDM regulations
• Proven experience managing contractors, suppliers and service providers
• Strong budget and commercial management experience
• A track record of leading and developing facilities teams

Ideally, you will also hold:

• A recognised Facilities Management qualification or substantial equivalent experience
• A technical qualification to HNC level or above
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional body such as IOSH or IWFM
• A Project or Programme Management qualification such as APM or PRINCE2 – desirable

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take on a genuinely senior facilities leadership position within a substantial manufacturing organisation.

Rather than simply managing day-to-day maintenance, you’ll have responsibility for the long-term development, reliability and compliance of the organisation’s estate and infrastructure, while playing an important role in future investment and growth.

The position offers a competitive package alongside a 4.5-day working week, on-site parking and additional employee benefits.

If you’re an experienced facilities or estates leader looking for a senior role within a complex manufacturing environment in Devon, we’d be keen to hear from you.