This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a complex engineering environment incorporating cleanrooms, engineering laboratories, manufacturing areas, and critical infrastructure systems. The successful candidate will lead both outsourced service partners and an internal facilities team, ensuring the site operates safely, efficiently, and with maximum reliability.
The role requires a strong technical engineering background combined with proven facilities management expertise within a highly regulated or technically advanced environment such as semiconductor, pharmaceutical, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, or similar industries.
Key Responsibilities
Site Operations & Technical Infrastructure
* Provide technical leadership across all mechanical, electrical, controls, and life safety systems
* Establish engineering standards aligned to statutory compliance, manufacturer guidance, and industry best practice
* Act as the technical authority for safe systems of work, isolation management, switching protocols, and engineering change control
* Ensure engineering teams operate within clearly defined competency and authorisation frameworks
* Oversee technical risk assessments and ensure operational activity does not compromise safety, resilience, or compliance
* Manage all critical building services and infrastructure including:
* HVAC systems
* Cleanroom environments
* Gas and water systems
* Electrical infrastructure
* BMS systems
* Ensure uptime, reliability, and performance of systems supporting manufacturing and R&D activities
* Develop and implement Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) strategies
* Drive reliability-centred and condition-based maintenance approaches to reduce downtime and failure risk
* Lead reactive maintenance and emergency response activities
* Ensure CAFM systems accurately reflect asset criticality, maintenance history, and redundancy strategies
* Maintain resilience of critical infrastructure including:
* HV/LV distribution
* UPS systems
* Generators
* Chillers
* Boilers
* Clean utilities
* Life safety systems
* Lead incident investigations, root cause analysis, and post-incident reviews
* Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness
Cleanroom & Specialist Environments
* Maintain cleanroom performance to required classifications and standards
* Oversee environmental monitoring and contamination control processes
* Ensure compliance with relevant ISO cleanroom standards
* Work closely with engineering and operational teams to support specialist laboratory and manufacturing requirements
Contractor & Supplier Management
* Manage outsourced facilities service providers including:
* Maintenance
* Security
* Waste management
* Cleaning services
* Establish and manage SLAs, KPIs, and supplier performance reviews
* Ensure contractors operate safely and in line with site permit systems and procedures
* Drive value, accountability, and performance from supplier relationships
Asset Management & Budget Control
* Develop and manage facilities budgets
* Support capital investment planning and infrastructure upgrade projects
* Maintain accurate asset lifecycle and criticality data
* Align lifecycle planning with wider business continuity strategies
Health, Safety & Compliance
* Ensure compliance with all relevant UK legislation and regulations including:
* EaWR
* PUWER
* LOLER
* PSSR
* COSHH
* DSEAR
* HSG274 / ACoP L8
* Fire Safety legislation
* Own facilities-related risk assessments, permits to work, and safe systems of work
* Ensure statutory inspections and regulatory requirements are maintained
* Maintain contingency and emergency response plans
* Support internal, external, and customer audits
Team Leadership
* Lead, develop, and mentor the internal Facilities Team
* Set clear objectives, performance expectations, and development plans
* Promote a proactive, safety-first, and service-led culture
Experience & Qualifications
Desirable Qualifications
* Degree qualified in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related discipline
* Membership of a relevant professional body such as IWFM or CIBSE
Skills & Experience
* Proven facilities management experience within a technical or regulated environment
* Strong understanding of critical building services and infrastructure systems
* Experience managing cleanrooms or controlled environments
* Strong contractor and supplier management experience
* Excellent knowledge of UK health & safety and compliance legislation
* Previous experience leading and developing teams
* Understanding of sustainability and energy management practices
Benefits
* Competitive salary
* Structured career development opportunities
* Private healthcare
* Share incentive plan
* 25 days annual leave
* Half day Fridays
* Defined contribution pension scheme
* Flexible benefits package
* Excellent work-life balance