Equipment & Facilities Manager in Romsey

Reporting to: CFO / VP Product Development
Reports: Equipment & Facilities Engineers
Join Ilika as Equipment and Facilities Manager and help lead the infrastructure that supports the development and pilot manufacture of next-generation solid-state batteries. This role offers the opportunity to manage a skilled team, shape equipment and facilities processes across multiple sites, and contribute directly to technologies with applications in MedTech, electric vehicles and defence.

Location: working across our sites at Discovery House, Chandlers Ford and the Quadrangle, Romsey.

Company description

Ilika is a pioneer in a ground-breaking solid state battery technology designed to meet the specific demands of a wide range of applications in MedTech, Electric Vehicles and Defence.

Ilika is a publicly listed company with facilities in the Southampton area for the development and pilot manufacture of its Stereax and Goliath batteries. We offer a competitive package, a supportive working environment, and the chance to work with state-of-the-art equipment as part of a world-class technical team. This is an opportunity to join during a period of growth and make a meaningful contribution as the business continues to scale.

Overview of the role

The Equipment and Facilities Manager will lead and motivate a team of equipment and facilities engineers supporting Ilika’s Stereax thin-film solid-state batteries and Goliath large-format batteries. The role will focus on equipment uptime, preventative maintenance, facilities readiness, team leadership and continuous improvement across development and pilot manufacturing environments.

Key responsibilities

• Develop robust processes to achieve equipment uptime KPIs and implement preventative maintenance schedules;
• Provide recommendations for the purchase of new equipment and facilities;
• Maintain accurate records for all plant and equipment, including warranties, licences, inspections and service agreements;
• Plan, store and control equipment spares, materials and consumables;
• Maintain and improve database and tracking tools to support equipment and facilities activity across multiple sites;
• Prepare and manage the equipment and facilities budget;
• Provide leadership and line management to the equipment and facilities engineers, coordinating workloads and providing support to ensure the team delivers;
• Plan and coordinate activities to ensure efficient use of resources and facilities;
• Lead team meetings to set priorities and maintain coherent teamwork objectives;
• Communicate team goals effectively;
• Ensure the team is trained in standard operating procedures and work instructions related to equipment and facilities maintenance.

Culture and ways of working

• Maintain a safe working environment at all times, personally, within the equipment and facilities team and across the wider business, in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
• Create an inspirational can-do culture, with a focus on process improvement and adding value to the business;
• Take the initiative in proposing and implementing solutions for areas of improvement in the company’s operations;
• Continuously improve ISO standards, including by authoring operating procedures;
• Adhere to and develop good manufacturing practice, including the implementation and approval of risk assessments and COSHH assessments where appropriate.

Job requirements

• HNC qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline;
• Experience working with plant, equipment or facilities in a development, manufacturing or technical environment;
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, equipment manuals and manufacturer or vendor guidance;
• Experience coordinating the procurement, installation, commissioning and maintenance of development and production equipment;
• Working knowledge of project management techniques and tools;
• Working knowledge of appropriate database systems to log equipment usage, maintenance and repairs;
• Effective written and oral communication skills;
• Ability to review and implement well-defined operating procedures in compliance with ISO standards;
• Good time management skills;
• Leadership and people management experience, with the ability to support, prioritise and develop a technical team;
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a team, both as a leader and a member;
• Motivating attitude and demonstrated ability to positively influence organisational culture.

We welcome applications from candidates who meet most of the requirements and can demonstrate relevant transferable experience in equipment, facilities, maintenance, manufacturing or technical operations.

Ilika is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity.