Factory Maintenance and Facilities Manager (Food Industry)

SUMMARY:
Our client in Somerset West is seeking a Facilities and Factory Maintenance Manager who will be responsible for overseeing the safe, efficient and food-safety-compliant operation of the factory’s facilities, equipment, utilities and freeze-drying production.

This hands-on role combines technical problem-solving, preventative maintenance, workplace safety, facility management and team leadership to ensure reliable day-to-day operations and the effective resolution of issues.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities Facilities & Maintenance Take overall responsibility for the factory's facilities, infrastructure, equipment and general maintenance. Perform hands-on maintenance, repairs and basic electrical fault-finding. Manage preventative maintenance schedules and equipment servicing. Identify potential problems early and implement practical solutions. Coordinate external contractors and specialist technicians where required. Maintain accurate maintenance, repair and servicing records. Ensure the factory remains safe, functional and suitable for food production. Technical Systems Manage and troubleshoot basic technical systems, including: Electrical systems and lighting CCTV, alarms, access control and biometric systems Cold rooms, freezers, blast chillers\/freezers and refrigeration equipment Freeze dryers Generators and backup power Other factory technical systems Escalate specialist work to qualified technicians when required. Food Safety, Hygiene & Compliance Maintain facilities and equipment to appropriate food-safety standards. Ensure maintenance activities do not create contamination risks. Support HACCP, GFSI, ISO 22000 and other applicable food-safety requirements. Manage facility-related corrective actions from inspections and audits. Ensure contractors comply with factory hygiene and food-safety requirements. Pest & Fire Safety Manage the operational aspects of pest-control and fire-safety programmes. Liaise with service providers and follow up on inspections, servicing and corrective actions. Monitor pest-entry points, fire equipment, emergency exits, signage and emergency lighting. Maintain relevant records and certificates. Cleaning & Housekeeping Manage and supervise the factory cleaning team of approximately three employees. Allocate cleaning duties and monitor standards, performance and attendance. Ensure cleaning schedules, deep cleans and hygiene procedures are followed. Ensure chemicals and cleaning equipment are used and stored correctly. Maintain required cleaning records. Freeze-Dried Production Manage the day-to-day operation of the freeze-drying department. Supervise and instruct production staff. Prepare, load and unload freeze dryers and monitor production cycles. Troubleshoot equipment and process issues where possible. Ensure correct product handling, labelling, storage and traceability. Maintain accurate production, yield, loss and quality records. Stock & Inventory Capture production and stock information accurately in the company's inventory system. Record stock movements, production quantities and finished goods. Assist with stock counts and investigate discrepancies. Report shortages or discrepancies promptly. Cold Chain Monitor freezers, cold rooms, blast chillers\/freezers and refrigeration systems. Respond promptly to temperature deviations or equipment failures, including outside normal working hours when necessary. Protect stock during equipment failures and coordinate specialist repairs. Ensure temperature-monitoring systems remain operational. Security & Factory Access Act as a factory key holder and manage opening and closing when required. Ensure the factory is secure and ready for operation. Manage alarms, CCTV, access control and biometric systems. Report and follow up on security issues. Team Leadership Allocate tasks, provide clear instructions and monitor performance. Train employees and provide practical on-the-job guidance. Promote high standards of safety, food safety, housekeeping and accountability. Communicate effectively with management, employees, contractors and suppliers. Required Skills & Experience Hands-on maintenance experience in a factory, manufacturing or similar environment. Strong practical electrical knowledge and fault-finding ability. Mechanical and technical troubleshooting skills. Experience with preventative maintenance and equipment servicing. Ability to manage contractors and service providers. Good computer literacy and willingness to learn inventory\/production software. Strong problem-solving, organisational and time-management skills. Ability to work independently, prioritise urgent issues and take ownership Key Performance Expectations Performance will be measured against: Preventative maintenance and servicing completed on schedule. Reduced equipment breakdowns and downtime. Effective maintenance and facility standards. Strong food-safety, hygiene, pest and fire-safety compliance. High cleaning and housekeeping standards. Reliable freeze-dried production and accurate records. Accurate stock and production information. Effective cold-chain management. Functional security and technical systems. Effective team supervision and training. Proactive identification and resolution of problems. Role Accountability This is a high-ownership role. The manager is expected to identify risks early, communicate issues promptly, find practical solutions and ensure outstanding actions are followed through to completion. Where specialist or legally authorised work is required, the employee must arrange appropriate professional assistance and ensure the issue is resolved. The role may require availability outside normal working hours for urgent machinery breakdowns, cold-chain failures or food-safety concerns.