Fabric Operative | RAF Lakenheath in Brandon

VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.

What we do: We put our Customers and Families First. They are the driving force behind everything we do. We drive forward improvements for them to ensure the service they receive, whether reactive repairs or a major project, is completed safely and on time. In order to achieve this, we have 4 core values: open, caring, agile and collaborative. These are at the heart of everything we do.

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Location: RAF Lakenheath, Feltwell & Mildenhall

Working Hours: 40 per week, Monday to Friday (7:30-4:30)

Are you ready to take on a hands‑on role where your skills help support vital UK Defence infrastructure? We’re looking for proactive and skilled Fabric Operatives to join our dedicated team at RAF Lakenheath. If you’re someone who takes pride in quality work, values safety, and thrives in a fast‑paced, purpose‑driven environment — we want to hear from you.

About the role: As a Fabric Operative, you’ll be responsible for maintaining and repairing the physical fabric of RAF Lakenheath and surrounding areas. Your role will involve carrying out planned preventative maintenance and urgent repairs, completing refurbishments, and taking on minor installation projects. You’ll respond to reactive tasks in line with our Service Level Agreements, ensuring all works are recorded and documented properly using our PDA system. You’ll work both independently and collaboratively as part of a 10‑strong on‑site engineering team, interacting with military personnel, VIVO managers, and supply chain partners. A strong focus on health and safety is essential — you’ll be expected to contribute to risk assessments, follow method statements, and champion safe working practices at all times.

What you’ll need: To be successful in this role, you’ll need hands‑on experience in one or more trades such as plumbing, carpentry, decorating, plastering, or bricklaying. You must have a full UK driving licence and be eligible to obtain SC‑level Security Clearance. You’ll be reliable, self‑motivated, and confident in your ability to communicate effectively and work under minimal supervision. We’d love it if you bring experience in a MOD environment or commercial asset maintenance, along with any first aid or health and safety qualifications. Membership in a relevant professional body would also be an advantage.

What we offer:

• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• 25 Days annual leave
• Volunteer leave
• Established reward and recognition scheme
• One paid professional subscription
• Life Assurance Policy
• Employee discount and reward schemes
• Interesting, varied, and enjoyable work
• A company that recognises your contribution
• Training opportunities and qualifications within a supportive environment to ensure career progression

VIVO Defence Services: The role you have applied for is with VIVO Defence Services, a joint venture between Serco and EQUANS. By applying for this role, please be aware that information contained within your CV may be shared between VIVO Defence Services, Serco and EQUANS during the recruitment process. At VIVO, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. Therefore, we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working and operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly a Disability Confident Leader. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.