Buildings Maintenance Manager (Property & Projects) in Carlisle

Are you a property, buildings or project management professional who likes being the person everyone turns to - from a sticking door handle to on site multi million-pound project builds? And do you have the confidence to challenge, the resilience to hold your ground, and the credibility to manage expectations across one of the most recognisable manufacturing sites in the country?

Foxgroves Recruitment is proud to be supporting a well known manufacturing client with the appointment of a standalone Buildings Maintenance Manager at their major Cumbria site in Carlisle. This is a large, fast-moving industrial environment where property, maintenance and capital projects all sit under one remit, and where the person in this role becomes the recognised "face of property" on site. You'll report to the Building and Facilities Manager, who is based off site elsewhere in the UK, which means you'll run the site largely under your own steam.

The previous post-holder spent many years here before retiring, and our client is now looking for someone with the seniority and self-assurance to pick up the reins and keep things moving.

The Role

From initial feasibility through to completion, you'll take full ownership of building maintenance and capital projects across the site, everything from day-to-day repairs to major schemes like roofing tenders and fire sprinkler systems. You'll manage costs and budgets tightly, bring in and control contractors and consultants, prepare tender packages and contracts, and keep health and safety front and centre throughout. Just as importantly, you'll be the person who gets people on board, balances competing deadlines, and delivers the difficult news when it's needed.

• Take ownership of all building maintenance, fire safety and capital projects on site, from feasibility through to completion
• Identify and scope projects, carrying out feasibility studies and co-ordinating everyone involved
• Manage a varied portfolio of capital and maintenance projects, with firm control of costs and budgets
• Prepare tender packages, analyse tenders, and handle contracts and contract administration throughout (JCT or similar)
• Identify, appoint and manage contractors, suppliers and external consultants
• Lead on health and safety for all building works and associated contractors
• Act as Principal Designer under CDM regulations as required

About You

You'll be a confident, credible property and projects professional who's comfortable working alone and holding your own with senior managers who all have their own priorities and deadlines. You know how to challenge constructively, manage expectations, and keep tight control of contractors and costs without losing the relationships that make a site run well. You'll bring resilience, sound judgement and the kind of presence that earns trust quickly.

Ideally you'll bring:

• A degree in Building Surveying, Construction Management would be advantageous but equivalent experience is also welcomed.
• Membership of RICS or CIOB
• At least 7 years' experience in a similar property and projects role
• Detailed knowledge of CDM regulations, with the ability to act as Principal Designer
• Experience preparing JCT (or similar) contracts and handling contract administration
• A strong grasp of fire safety and fire safety equipment, particularly sprinkler systems
• Experience managing building maintenance, diagnosing defects and preparing schedules of work
• A health and safety qualification (NEBOSH or IOSH) and good IT skills, with AutoCAD an advantage
• A full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel between sites
• Experience within an industrial environment is desirable

Why You'll Love Working at Pirelli

• Up to £56,000, depending on qualifications, skills and experience
• 33 days' holiday per year (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with linked life insurance
• Service-related payment
• Employee discount scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Discounted tyre vouchers
• Bike to work scheme (salary sacrifice)
• Car purchase scheme (salary sacrifice)

Please note this role is fully site-based, with no hybrid or remote option, given the nature of the site. Standard hours are 37.5 per week, Monday to Friday.

Foxgroves Recruitment acts as an employment agency for vacancies on behalf of clients, following fair and inclusive recruitment practices in line with the Equality Act 2010. All appointments are subject to pre-employment screening, including right to work checks, reference checks, and qualification verification.