Facilities Lead

Premier Foods; Ashford; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to £46,000 per annum

25 days annual leave

Pension up to 7.5%

Life assurance

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Cycle to Work scheme

On-site parking

Job summary

Premier Foods in Ashford, United Kingdom, is seeking a confident Facilities Lead to own and enhance the site’s facilities governance. You’ll drive compliance, performance, and workplace experience while shaping culture and environment on-site.

You’ll lead hard and soft services, manage contractors, and ensure safety and statutory compliance. The role requires strong leadership, proactive problem solving, and the ability to influence across teams.

Qualifications

• Experience managing facilities or contractor services in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of Health & Safety and compliance requirements.
• Ability to influence, engage, and lead across multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery and governance of hard and soft facilities services.
• Ensure site safety, compliance, and efficient operation.
• Oversee contractor performance via KPIs, audits and reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement in workplace standards and colleague experience.
• Maintain permits, RAMS, and certifications to audit standards.
• Champion energy, cost efficiency, and sustainability initiatives.

Skills

Confident and proactive

Leadership

Influencing & communication

Highly organised

Health & safety knowledge

Manufacturing facilities experience

Food industry experience

Job description

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We’re looking for a confident and forward-thinkingFacilities Leadwho 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’llraise 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

AsFacilities Lead, you’ll lead the delivery and governance of bothhard 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 bothhard services(HVAC, utilities, building systems) andsoft 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
• 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

We’re looking for someone who is:

• 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
• Experience managing facilities or contractor services from a manufacturing background (food would be ideal!)

Strong influencing and communication skills

• Solid understanding of Health & Safety systems and compliance
• Ability to operate effectively across all levels of an organisation

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

• Salary up to £46,000 per annum
• 25 day’s annual leave and 8 bank holidays
• Contributory pension up to 7.5%, plus life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and occupational health support
• Company shop
• 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.