Job Role – Facilities Manager
Location – Kent
Job Type – Permanent
Salary – £60,000 – £65,000 DOE
Role Summary / Purpose and Scope
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Facilities Manager to take ownership of a single-site FM operation in Kent, with a strong focus on soft FM service delivery and Health & Safety compliance. This is a hands-on, autonomous role for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and takes real pride in delivering a safe, compliant and well-run facility.
Experience within a laboratory, life sciences or research environment would be a significant advantage, given the specialist nature of the site and the need to work sensitively around operational teams.
Key Responsibilities
Soft FM & Site Operations
- Take full ownership of day-to-day soft FM service delivery across the site, including cleaning, waste management, catering (if applicable), reception/front of house, security and pest control.
- Manage and develop on-site FM staff, contractors and service providers, ensuring high standards of performance and value for money.
- Oversee reactive and planned maintenance coordination, liaising with hard FM providers and landlord services where required.
- Manage site access, visitor management, post room and general office/facilities services.
- Drive continuous improvement across all FM services, identifying efficiencies and enhancing the workplace experience for all building occupants.
- Manage FM budgets, track expenditure and produce regular reporting for senior stakeholders.
Health & Safety
- Act as the site lead for Health & Safety, ensuring full compliance with relevant legislation, codes of practice and organisational policy.
- Conduct and review risk assessments, method statements and safe systems of work across all FM activities.
- Manage and coordinate fire safety, including fire risk assessments, evacuation procedures and regular drills.
- Ensure all statutory compliance and certification requirements are met and documented, maintaining a robust audit trail.
- Liaise with occupiers, laboratory teams and building management on H&S matters specific to the site environment, including COSHH, waste disposal and lone working protocols.
- Deliver H&S inductions and toolbox talks to staff and contractors as required.
- Maintain the site H&S management system and report on performance metrics to senior leadership.
Skills, Knowledge and Values
Essential
- Proven experience in a Facilities Manager role with responsibility for soft FM service delivery.
- Strong working knowledge of Health & Safety legislation including risk assessment, fire safety and statutory compliance.
- Experience managing contractors and service level agreements.
- Confident communicator, able to engage with stakeholders at all levels.
- Self-motivated and capable of working autonomously in a single-site environment.
- IOSH Managing Safely (minimum) or NEBOSH General Certificate.
Desirable
- Previous experience in a laboratory, life sciences, pharmaceutical or research facility environment.
- NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent.
- IWFM membership or relevant FM qualification.
- Experience with CAFM or FM management systems.
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