Building Services Supervisor (Airconditioning/Refrigeration Bias)

Rothamsted Research; Hatching Green; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Campus amenities

Job summary

Rothamsted Research in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, is seeking a Building Services Supervisor (Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Bias) to lead the Facilities team. The role focuses on supervising maintenance and operation of refrigeration, air conditioning and controlled environment systems across the estate.

You will manage a team of engineers and contractors, ensure safety, compliance and high standards, and drive energy efficiency and continuous improvement within a complex research environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in commercial building services maintenance with a strong air conditioning and refrigeration bias.
• Experience supervising maintenance teams and coordinating contractors.
• In-depth knowledge of refrigeration and air conditioning systems and statutory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate the delivery of planned and reactive maintenance activities.
• Lead and support a team of engineers and specialist contractors.
• Ensure building services plant and equipment remain safe, compliant and fully operational.
• Manage maintenance activities in accordance with statutory requirements and SFG20 maintenance standards.
• Monitor contractor performance and ensure works are delivered to required standards.
• Investigate faults and implement effective corrective actions.

Skills

Air conditioning

Refrigeration systems

Team supervision

Contractor coordination

Education

F-Gas certification

HVAC qualification

Tools

BMS

Job description

Salary: £38,716 per annum

Location: Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ

Contract: Permanent , 37 hours per week

About Rothamsted Research

Rothamsted Research, including the Lawes Agricultural Trust (LAT) and Rothamsted Enterprises Ltd (REL), is one of the world's leading agricultural research institutions. Our facilities and infrastructure play a vital role in supporting pioneering scientific research that addresses some of the world's biggest environmental and agricultural challenges.

We are seeking an experienced Building Services Supervisor (Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Bias) to join our Facilities team on the Harpenden campus.

What You Will Be Doing

Reporting into the Facilities team, you will be responsible for supervising the maintenance and operation of refrigeration, air conditioning and controlled environment systems across a diverse and complex research estate.

This is a critical role that helps ensure the safe, compliant and reliable operation of specialist facilities that support cutting‑edge scientific research. You will lead a team of engineers delivering planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance activities, ensuring all works are completed safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.

You will be responsible for a wide range of systems and equipment, including:

• Refrigeration and air conditioning systems
• Air handling units (AHUs)
• Fan coil units (FCUs)
• Chillers, including absorption chillers
• Data centre cooling systems
• Controlled environment rooms and chambers
• Specialist laboratory and research facilities

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate the delivery of planned and reactive maintenance activities.
• Lead and support a team of engineers and specialist contractors.
• Ensure building services plant and equipment remain safe, compliant and fully operational.
• Manage maintenance activities in accordance with statutory requirements and SFG20 maintenance standards.
• Monitor contractor performance and ensure works are delivered to required standards.
• Investigate faults and implement effective corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records and compliance documentation.
• Promote a strong health and safety culture across all activities.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and energy efficiency.
• Participate in the out of hours emergency call out rota.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

Essential

• Significant experience within commercial building services maintenance, with a strong air conditioning and refrigeration bias.
• Experience supervising maintenance teams and coordinating contractors.
• In-depth technical knowledge of refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
• Experience working with AHUs, FCUs, chillers and associated mechanical plant.
• Good understanding of statutory compliance requirements and industry best practice.
• Knowledge of planned preventative maintenance programmes and SFG20 standards.
• Strong fault finding and problem solving skills.
• Excellent communication and organisational abilities.
• Commitment to health, safety and quality standards.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Relevant HVAC, refrigeration or mechanical engineering qualification.
• F-Gas certification.
• Experience working within laboratories, research facilities, higher education or similarly complex environments.
• Knowledge of building management systems (BMS).
• Experience of controlled environment facilities.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to play a key role in maintaining specialist facilities that support internationally recognised scientific research. You will join a collaborative and supportive team environment and contribute directly to the success of a world renowned research organisation.

This vacancy does not meet the Home Office requirements therefore, please ensure you are eligible or already hold the legal right to work in the UK.

Established in 1843, Rothamsted Research is one of the UK's leading Research Institutes delivering world class agricultural science. Our commitment to learning and development, equality, diversity and inclusion and flexibility in working arrangements creates a positive work life balance and enables a welcoming environment for all prospective employees.

As a Disability Confident Employer we are committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process and all disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview. If this is required, please contact us. Applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion or age are welcomed, providing the required criteria is met.

• 30 days annual leave
• a generous pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• an attractive campus offering cultural and recreational activities