At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide essential maintenance for bookshops across Glasgow and central Scotland.
- Company: Join Waterstones, a leading name in bookselling since 1982.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, training opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a real difference in the community.
- Qualifications: Experience as an electrician with skills in plumbing and carpentry preferred.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
We are looking for a Regional Maintenance Technician to join our friendly and dynamic team here at Waterstones. You will be covering our shops across Glasgow and central Scotland, so you will ideally be based centrally in this area (Glasgow or surrounding area is ideal).
You will be responsible for reporting, managing and overseeing all maintenance and compliance testing for the bookshops in your area, with the support of the Area Maintenance Manager and approved sub-contractor list and a central head office team. There may be a requirement to work away from home on occasion.
You will ideally be an experienced Electrician with some good general building, plumbing and carpentry experience. Full training will be provided on fire extinguisher testing.
What you will be doing:
- Provide general maintenance for the bookshops in the Glasgow and central Scotland area.
- Work closely with shop teams to identify maintenance issues, log jobs with the Service Desk and Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) system.
- Complete monthly compliance Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) and reactive tasks based on competence and skillset, drawing on sub-contractor support where appropriate.
- Reporting on performance of sub-contracted works.
- Ensure that all instructions and records are completed and returned to the Service Desk, and all Compliance Certificates returned to AMM / Site Log Book records are updated and maintained all in accordance with standard company practices.
- Manage a live reactive job list for each store, ensuring all jobs are completed within agreed timescales.
- Audit the stores on a regular basis to ensure all compliance testing and Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) visits are up to date, identifying any reactive tasks that need attending to.
- Ensure all maintenance consumables are available and arrange replenishment when required to ensure agreed stock levels are maintained.
- Ensure that an accurate Site Logbook record of all works remains on site/CAFM System for the store/line managers information and approval.
- Undertake on-site diagnostic analysis and report on what further resource may be required.
- Undertake a visual condition inspection of all installed equipment / assets and building fabric and report on any items that may jeopardise reliability.
- Carry out general maintenance, good housekeeping practices to ensure that the life expectancy of all installed equipment is maximised.
- Participate in Health & Safety Codes of safe working and other environmental issues to ensure total compliance with Waterstones Health, Safety and Environmental Policy. Report any omissions or risks that might compromise a safe working environment.
- Attend to all reasonable emergency call-out requests as speedily as possible and maintain good communications with the store and Service Desk with the progress of all outstanding works.
- Make recommendations to the Area Maintenance Manager on matters concerning continuous improvement and adding value that may improve the productivity, costs, quality of service delivery etc.
- Communicate with the Retail Team regularly about ongoing issues and projects.
- Work on individual and company lead projects for stores in own area and teams area. (May be required to stay away on occasion).
- Support the Senior Regional Maintenance Technician.
What we need from you:
- Multi skilled technician with a broad skill base (Electrician preferred with 18th Edition).
- Experience working on other Facilities Management contracts.
- Previous experience working within a retail environment preferred and working around food areas.
- Plumbing and Carpentry skills.
- Good working knowledge of H&S.
- Pasmo (Not essential as training will be provided after probationary period).
- Fire extinguisher servicing (Not essential as training will be provided after probationary period).
- Fire alarms and emergency lighting testing/servicing.
- A good understanding of building maintenance and statutory testing regimes.
- Reasonable level of IT knowledge, emails, excel, and word documents.
Person Profile:
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to juggle conflicting priorities.
- Ability to explain complex issues and technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
- Confident with problem solving often thinking outside of the box to solve problems.
- Calm and professional approach.
- Friendly and approachable nature with great communication skills.
- Good time management skills.
- Ability to work from instruction and make decisions as needed with minimal supervision.
Why work for Waterstones:
Waterstones is the cornerstone of bookselling across the UK and Ireland. Joining Waterstones means being an active part in a success story that began in 1982, and books are as popular now as the day we started. Trading across the UK, Ireland and Europe, we are present in over 300 shopping locations, where Waterstones continues to thrive, each year actively pursuing a programme of new bookshop openings. Online at Waterstones, we meanwhile mirror the essence of our bookshops, further showcasing the unique enthusiasm and knowledge of our booksellers.
If you have the relevant essential experience and you are interested, we would love to hear from you.
Waterstones is committed to encouraging equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and is dedicated toward eliminating unlawful discrimination. Our aim is to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel fully respected and to be able to give their best.
Diversity Statement:
At Waterstones, we are committed to creating a workplace that is fair and inclusive to people from all backgrounds, perspectives and experiences, and we strive to promote an inclusive work culture. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment processes are free from bias, and our aim is to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel fully respected and able to give their best.
Reasonable Adjustments:
We understand that some disabled applicants may, due to the nature of their disability, find some parts of the recruitment process challenging. If you need any reasonable adjustments during any part of the interview process, please make these known either to your interviewer or the person you liaise with when setting up your interview.
Handyman / Electrician employer: Waterstones
Waterstones is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can thrive. With a commitment to equity, diversity, and continuous professional development, our Regional Maintenance Technicians enjoy the opportunity to work across beautiful bookshops in Glasgow and central Scotland, ensuring a meaningful impact on the community while benefiting from comprehensive training and a friendly team culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Handyman / Electrician
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the industry, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of past work or projects, bring it along to interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise and give potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you’re interested in, like Waterstones, and express your interest. A friendly email can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the interview! Research common questions for maintenance roles and practice your answers. Also, think about how your skills align with what Waterstones is looking for, so you can impress them with your knowledge.
We think you need these skills to ace Handyman / Electrician
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your experience as a multi-skilled technician, especially your electrical qualifications. We want to see how your skills align with the job description, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to customise your application for this role. Mention specific experiences that relate to maintenance and compliance testing, as well as any relevant training you've had. It helps us see why you’re a great fit!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. This makes it easier for us to understand your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Waterstones
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your electrical knowledge and general maintenance skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with plumbing, carpentry, and any relevant compliance testing. This will show that you're not just a handyman but a well-rounded technician.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled tricky maintenance issues in the past. Think about times when you had to think outside the box to solve a problem, especially in a retail environment. This will demonstrate your ability to handle unexpected challenges.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Health & Safety
Since health and safety is a big part of the role, make sure you understand the basics of H&S regulations. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented safety practices in previous jobs, as this will show your commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms. You might need to communicate with non-technical staff, so being able to break down complex issues will be a huge plus. Good communication skills can set you apart from other candidates.