Assistant Facilities Manager in Belfast

We are seeking a technically qualified facilities professional with a background in mechanical or electrical engineering and hands‑on maintenance experience to support the delivery of hard facilities management services across three highly secure industrial / manufacturing sites in Belfast. This role is focused on engineering asset reliability, statutory compliance, maintenance delivery, and the leadership of maintenance technicians and specialist contractors. It is not a soft‑services facilities role. The successful candidate will have progressed from the tools into supervision or engineering management and will be comfortable operating in a fast‑paced production / manufacturing environment where asset uptime, safety, and compliance are critical.

Role Purpose

To ensure the safe, compliant, and reliable operation of all engineering and building services assets across multiple sites, supporting operational uptime through effective maintenance strategy, contractor control, and hands‑on leadership of technical services delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and delivery of planned and reactive maintenance strategies for all engineering and building services assets
• Drive asset reliability and continuous improvement through root cause analysis and preventative planning
• Maintain accurate asset records and maintenance history
• Contribute to lifecycle planning, asset replacement programmes, and shutdown planning
• Ensure all statutory inspections, testing, and certifications are completed and recorded
• Technical Services Oversight
• Oversight of hard services including electrical, mechanical, HVAC, water, pressure systems, and associated infrastructure
• Management of permit‑to‑work systems, isolations, and safe systems of work
• Supervision of specialist contractors carrying out technical works
• Review of RAMS and technical documentation prior to works
• Day‑to‑day supervision of maintenance technicians and engineering contractors
• Planning and prioritisation of maintenance activities in line with operational needs
• Coaching and mentoring of engineers and apprentices
• Supporting a positive safety and engineering culture across sites
• Contractor & Commercial Management
• Management of hard FM service partners and specialist engineering contractors
• Review of scopes of work, quotations, and variations
• Monitoring of contractor performance against KPIs and service levels
• Support budget control relating to maintenance and engineering services
• Health, Safety & Compliance
• Ensure compliance with all relevant engineering and health & safety legislation (e.g. LOLER, PUWER, pressure systems, electrical safety, water hygiene)
• Participation in audits, inspections, and compliance reviews
• Promotion of safe working practices across all technical activities

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Time‑served mechanical or electrical engineer or recognised engineering trade background
• Proven hands‑on experience working as a maintenance technician/engineer earlier in career
• Experience supervising or leading maintenance teams or contractors
• Experience within an industrial, manufacturing, or production environment
• Strong knowledge of statutory compliance relating to engineering assets
• Experience using a CMMS to manage maintenance activities
• Practical understanding of building services and engineering infrastructure
• Strong organisational and problem‑solving skills
• HNC / HND / Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
• IOSH or NEBOSH qualification
• Experience working within facilities management or estates functions
• Experience working in secure, regulated, or safety‑critical environments
• HV / LV authorised person experience (where applicable)
• Previous experience supporting project delivery across a critical manufacturing environment

Candidate Profile

This role will suit an individual who has progressed from hands‑on engineering into a supervisory or junior management role and is now looking to further develop into facilities and asset management while remaining close to technical services delivery. You will be technically credible, comfortable on plant rooms and production floors, and confident leading engineers and contractors in a demanding operational setting.

Personal Attributes

• Highly detail‑oriented with a strong focus on accuracy and completeness
• Structured thinker who prefers clear systems, processes, and frameworks
• Methodical and disciplined in approach to tasks and problem‑solving
• Consistent and reliable in following procedures and meeting standards
• Able to break down complex tasks into manageable steps
• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities
• Someone who balances productivity with a sense of fun, helping to create an atmosphere where people enjoy coming to work

This is an excellent opportunity to develop further into Facilities / Engineering Management within a complex multi‑site industrial environment, gaining broad exposure to asset strategy, compliance, contractor management, and technical leadership.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave
• Annual leave purchase scheme (buy up to 5 extra days per year)
• Branded commercial vehicle and fuel card
• Free virtual GP service
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Mi Recognition Talent Referral Scheme
• Long service awards
• Mi Deals (Fantastic savings at high street stores)
• Bike2Work Scheme
• Learning & development (access to 200 courses on our L&D platform)

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK and will be required to undergo appropriate security screening. This job description is intended to give the post holder an appreciation of the role envisaged for this position and the range of duties undertaken. It does not attempt to detail every activity, and should be utilised as a general guide, detailing the minimum requirements and responsibilities of the position. Specific tasks and objectives will be agreed with the post holder following the appraisal process and on an as and when required basis throughout the post holder's period of employment.