At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead facilities management, ensuring safety and compliance while driving performance improvements.
- Company: Premier Foods, a forward-thinking employer committed to inclusion and growth.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension contributions, health support, and discounts.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and enjoy excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping workplace standards and culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in facilities management and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 46000 £ per year.
Location: Ashford, TN24 0LU
Salary: £36k p.a. to £46k p.a.
Shifts: Days with flexibility expected
Make a Real Impact. Lead Change. Raise Standards.
We're looking for a confident and forward-thinking Facilities Lead who is ready to take ownership, challenge the status quo, and make a tangible difference across our site. This is an exciting opportunity to step into a role where you won't just maintain standards - you'll raise them, driving improvements in compliance, performance, and workplace experience. If you thrive on responsibility, enjoy influencing others, and want to build a safer, more efficient environment, this role is for you.
The Role:
- As Facilities Lead, you'll lead the delivery and governance of both hard and soft facilities management services, ensuring the site is safe, compliant, and operating at its best.
- Working closely with engineering and site leadership teams, you will provide independent oversight and constructive challenge - ensuring all facilities and engineering activities meet statutory requirements while continuously improving performance.
- You'll play a key role in shaping the environment and culture on-site, helping create a workplace that people are proud to be part of.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Driving Performance & Standards: Own and develop Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programmes, monitor asset performance and lead reliability improvements, ensure all building systems and infrastructure are compliant, efficient, and well-maintained.
- Leading Facilities Services: Oversee delivery of both hard services (HVAC, utilities, building systems) and soft services (security, grounds, workplace services), manage supplier and contractor performance through KPIs, audits, and reviews, continuously improve workplace standards and colleague experience.
- Owning Compliance & Governance: Act as the site lead for facilities compliance and statutory requirements, maintain permits, RAMS, and certification to audit standards, identify and mitigate risks, ensuring a safe, controlled working environment.
- Driving Efficiency & Sustainability: Monitor and improve utilities performance (energy, water, air), lead initiatives to reduce cost, improve efficiency, and support sustainability goals.
- Influencing & Leading Change: Challenge existing practices and drive continuous improvement, build strong relationships across teams and stakeholders, promote a culture of ownership, accountability, and high standards.
What We're Looking For:
- Confident and proactive - willing to challenge and improve the way things are done.
- Driven to succeed - motivated by making a visible difference.
- A natural leader - able to influence, engage, and bring others with you.
- Highly organised - comfortable managing multiple priorities.
Essential Experience:
- Strong influencing and communication skills.
- Experience managing facilities or contractor services.
- Solid understanding of Health & Safety systems and compliance.
- Ability to operate effectively across all levels of an organisation.
Desirable Technical Knowledge:
- Experience in areas such as electrical, mechanical, or utilities systems.
- DSEAR / ATEX, Legionella (L8), PSSR, BOAS, LOLER, PUWER, HVAC, refrigeration, or effluent systems.
Why Join Us?
This is more than a facilities role - it's an opportunity to:
- Own and shape the site environment.
- Drive real, visible change.
- Work alongside a collaborative leadership team.
- Develop and grow your career.
If you're someone who sees opportunities where others see problems, and you're ready to make your mark - we want to hear from you.
Benefits and Perks:
- 25 days' annual leave and 8 bank holidays.
- Contributory pension up to 7.5%, plus life assurance.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and occupational health support.
- Sharesave scheme.
- Company shop.
- Online retail discounts.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Free on-site parking and strong transport links.
At Premier Foods, we believe in inclusion, authenticity, and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued, and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love, or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.
We're proud to be a Disability Smart employer and are committed to supporting disability inclusion throughout our recruitment process. If you experience any access issues or require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know so we can ensure you have the support you need.
The Next Step...
Click apply via our website and upload your CV.
Facilities Lead employer: Premier Foods
At Premier Foods, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Ashford where you can truly make a difference as a Facilities Lead. With a strong focus on employee growth, a collaborative leadership team, and a commitment to inclusivity, we provide ample opportunities for professional development alongside competitive benefits such as generous annual leave, a contributory pension scheme, and a supportive workplace culture. Join us to not only enhance your career but also to contribute to a safer and more efficient working environment that everyone can be proud of.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Facilities Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Check out their website and social media to see what they're all about. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want you to sound confident and authentic, not like a robot. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can make a real impact as a Facilities Lead.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to prepare some questions for your interviewers! This shows that you’re engaged and serious about the role. Ask about their current challenges or future projects to get a better understanding of how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview with a thank-you email. It’s a simple gesture that can set you apart from other candidates. Remind them why you’re excited about the role and how you can help drive improvements on-site.
We think you need these skills to ace Facilities Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Facilities Lead role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant compliance knowledge to show us you're the right fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about facilities management. Share specific examples of how you've driven change or improved standards in previous roles – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Soft Skills:As a Facilities Lead, you'll need to influence and engage with various teams. Make sure to highlight your communication and organisational skills in your application – we want to see how you can lead and inspire others!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Premier Foods
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you brush up on your knowledge of facilities management. Understand the key responsibilities of a Facilities Lead, especially around compliance and performance improvement. Familiarise yourself with relevant regulations and standards, as this will show your commitment to maintaining high standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading teams and influencing change. Think of specific examples where you've successfully driven improvements or challenged the status quo. This role is all about making a tangible difference, so highlight how you've done that in previous positions.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the company and the role. Ask about their current challenges in facilities management or how they measure success in this position. This shows you're not just looking for a job, but genuinely want to contribute to their goals.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of scenarios where you've identified risks or inefficiencies and how you addressed them. Be ready to discuss your approach to problem-solving, especially in relation to health and safety compliance. This will illustrate your proactive nature and ability to create a safer, more efficient environment.
