Facilities & Lease Project Manager - 12 Months FTC

Job Location: Halstead, Essex

Company Description: Ferrero is a family-owned company with a truly progressive and global outlook and iconic brands such as Nutella, Tic Tac, Ferrero Rocher, Raffaello, Kinder Bueno and Kinder Surprise. As the love for our brands continues to grow, so too does our global reach. Represented in more than 50 countries, with products sold in more than 170, the Ferrero Group is loved by generations around the world. The secret to our global success? 38,767 dedicated employees who celebrate care and quality to craft a business, careers and brands we are proud of.

Long Description: Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.

About the Role: The Facilities & Lease Project Manager plays a key role in overseeing the maintenance, safety, and efficiency of manufacturing facilities/premises. Your primary responsibilities include managing the physical infrastructure, ensuring compliance with Health & Safety regulations, and coordinating with various departments to assist production activities. You will drive initiatives to improve operational efficiency, implement safety standards, and ensure the facilities are optimized for production needs. This role offers opportunities to collaborate with cross-functional teams and provides valuable insights into the broader operations of the business.

Main Responsibilities: As the Facilities & Lease Project Manager, you will oversee the upkeep of the manufacturing plant, including machinery, equipment, and building infrastructure. Your primary responsibilities will include working closely with the H&S Manager to implement and monitor safety protocols, ensuring compliance with local regulations. You will also coordinate with external vendors for maintenance services, equipment procurement, and facility improvements. A key focus will be optimizing the use of space within the facility to support efficient production workflows and developing and implementing emergency response plans for facility-related incidents. Additionally, you will be responsible for reviewing current lease agreements and exploring potential lease renewals or new opportunities, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives. In cases where leases come to an end, you will manage the process of handing back the site, ensuring that the premises are returned to the landlord in accordance with the lease terms. This includes overseeing the removal of equipment, ensuring the property meets agreed-upon conditions, and facilitating any necessary repairs or maintenance. You will coordinate the logistics of the transition, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations. Throughout this process, you will keep the team informed about the status of lease terminations or potential renewals, ensuring that any transitions are handled smoothly and without creating concern among employees. On a day-to-day basis, you will prepare regular reports on facility status, maintenance activities, safety compliance, lease management, and any ongoing lease negotiations, providing clear and actionable insights to support operational efficiency and long-term planning. This role involves continuous collaboration with internal teams and external partners to enhance the functionality, safety, and future planning of the manufacturing environment.

Who we are looking for: We are looking for a skilled Facilities & Lease Project Manager with a strong background in project and vendor management, coupled with excellent attention to detail and the ability to see the bigger picture. Experience in managing plant facilities, ideally within manufacturing or engineering environments, is essential for success in this role. You will be a proactive and dynamic individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to supporting and empowering your team. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds. A problem-solver with analytical abilities, decision-making skills, and the ability to influence and drive change is highly valued. In this role, you’ll be responsible for ensuring the team has the necessary skills and knowledge to excel, while managing the upkeep and operational efficiency of the facility. Your collaborative mindset will be key to aligning with internal and external partners, ensuring smooth processes and the achievement of operational goals. Additionally, a strong focus on proactive leadership and continuous improvement will be crucial to supporting the success of the facility and its teams.

How to be successful in the role and at Ferrero: Consumers, quality and care are at the heart of everything we do. So, to be successful at Ferrero, you’ll need to be just as consumer and product centric as we are - dedicated to crafting brilliant results for consumers around the world.

Qualifications: We are looking for someone with relevant and solid experience in facilities management in a manufacturing environment, with strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills and proficiency in maintenance management software and tools. Relevant certifications in facilities management or safety compliance are a plus.