Maintenance Operations Supervisor

The Norwich BioScience Institutes; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The NBI Partnership is looking for a Maintenance Operations Supervisor to join their Facilities department. You will oversee maintenance operations, ensuring effective delivery of planned and reactive tasks while supervising a skilled team. The candidate should have a relevant technical qualification and substantial experience in managing maintenance in complex environments, especially within scientific or research settings.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual leave

Defined contribution pension scheme

Excellent recreational facilities

Qualifications

• Relevant technical qualification essential for overseeing facilities maintenance.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC and building maintenance required.
• Health and safety certification is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Maintenance Operations team and ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
• Manage planned and reactive maintenance across various facilities.
• Coordinate contractor activities to maintain operational efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Knowledge of UK building regulations

Education

HNC in building services or equivalent

Health and safety qualification (e.g., IOSH)

Technical or trade qualifications

Tools

CAFM systems

Job description

The NBI Partnership (NBIP) provides non-scientific services to research institutes based on the Norwich Research Park, a globally recognised centre for bioscience innovation. The park is home to leading research institutes - including the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI), and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) – supporting cutting-edge research in food security, health, and environmental sustainability. NBIP provides the facilities management (FM) services to the JIC’s, TSL’s and EI’s estates and buildings.

The Maintenance Operations Supervisor is responsible for supervising the Maintenance Operations team, ensuring the effective delivery of planned and reactive maintenance, compliance activities, and minor works projects across the estate. This role also supports the arrangement of contractor visits, team health and training requirements, and administration, including holiday requests and the procurement of materials, tools, and uniforms.

The post holder will work closely with the Facilities Hub Manager, Compliance Manager, and Facilities Helpdesk to ensure seamless operations and high standards of service delivery. Reporting to the Maintenance Operations Manager, the role involves overseeing daily workflows, reviewing RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statements), managing permitting requirements, and ensuring compliance with the latest UK building regulations and the Building Safety Act. Additionally, the role will require a good understanding of SFG20 and Building Maintenance Techniques to ensure optimal delivery of maintenance services.

Key Relationships

Internal: Maintenance Operations Manager, Facilities Hub Manager, Compliance Manager, Facilities Helpdesk, Energy and Environment Manager, and departmental staff. Critical Services Supervisor. Operational and Laboratory Managers.

External: Contractors, suppliers, service providers, and statutory authorities.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Team Supervision and Workflow Management
• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the Maintenance Operations team, ensuring efficient delivery of planned and reactive maintenance, compliance tasks, and minor works.
• Assign tasks and priorities to team members, ensuring timely completion of maintenance and remedial work.
• Participate in the call-out rota, providing leadership and guidance during emergencies or out-of-hours incidents.
• Support the review and approval of RAMS and permitting requirements to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
• Undertake toolbox talks, ensuring the team is informed of health, safety, and operational updates. Planned and Reactive Maintenance
• Supervise and coordinate planned maintenance activities to minimise disruptions and ensure asset resilience.
• Oversee reactive maintenance tasks, ensuring prompt response to urgent issues, including fire alarm testing, PAT testing, and general building upkeep such as painting, toilet maintenance, signage, and fire compartmentation work.
• Support NGI-related activities, such as isolations, interactions with the existing built environment, systems and infrastructure so as to sustain operational capability and compliance across site. Contractor Management and Compliance
• Arrange and support contractor visits, ensuring they are briefed, supervised, and comply with site rules and requirements.
• Manage permits for contractors, ensuring work is carried out safely and in line with regulatory and organisational policies.
• Maintain effective communication with contractors and suppliers to address underperformance and ensure high service standards. Material and Cost Management
• Order materials, tools, and uniforms required for remedial works, planned maintenance, and team operations.
• Support the planning and costing of minor works, providing input on resources and timelines. Team Development and Administration
• Ensure team members are adequately trained and equipped, including maintaining up-to-date training records and managing the team’s health and safety requirements.
• Undertake team administration tasks, including processing holiday requests, scheduling, and maintaining training matrices.
• Provide input to the Maintenance Operations Manager on team performance and development needs. Sustainability and Energy Management
• Support the organisations’ sustainability objectives, identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of maintenance operations.
• Collaborate with the Facilities team to manage building systems such as BMS and ensure optimal settings for energy management. As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.

Person Profile

Education & Qualifications

Requirement Importance Recognised engineering, maintenance, or building fabric apprenticeship Essential Health and safety qualifications (e.g., IOSH, NEBOSH, or equivalent) Essential Relevant technical or trade qualifications (e.g., HNC, City & Guilds) Essential Evidence of ongoing CPD and training Essential Membership in professional bodies such as IWFM or IOSH Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement Importance Good knowledge of SFG20 and Building Maintenance Techniques Essential Excellent leadership and organisational skills to manage a diverse team Essential Strong knowledge of UK building regulations and the Building Safety Act Essential Experience in minor works planning and cost management Essential Proficiency in using Business System systems, reporting tools, and MS Office Essential Ability to interpret technical documentation and compliance requirements Essential Familiarity with sustainability practices in maintenance operations Essential Familiarity with CAD or other design/planning tools Essential

Requirement Importance Commitment to organisational sustainability and health and safety policies Essential Flexibility to manage competing priorities and participate in a call-out rota Essential Experience in delivering maintenance services on a scientific research establishment Essential

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement Importance Strong problem-solving abilities, with the capability to assess and address maintenance issues Essential Excellent communication skills, both written and oral Essential Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team and build relationships with stakeholders Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement Importance Attention to detail Essential Promotes equality and values diversity Essential Drive continuous improvement in maintenance operations to enhance safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction Essential Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work Essential Able to present a positive image of self and the Partnership Essential Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate Essential Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required Essential Promote an inclusive, collaborative, and sustainable workplace Essential

Who We Are

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

Maintenance Operations Supervisor

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a Maintenance Operations Supervisor to join their busy Facilities department.

Background:

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes support a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations, working to tackle major challenges of the 21st Century – the sustainability of our environment, our food supplies and healthy ageing.

The NBI Partnership provides high quality, non-scientific support services for the diverse community of staff, students and visiting workers at the Institutes (the Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory and Quadram Institute Bioscience) and for the NBI Partnership.

Based on the Norwich Research Park amongst 230 hectares of parkland, you will be joining a committed, professional and welcoming team. In addition, you will enjoy a competitive salary and annual leave, our defined contribution pension scheme, excellent recreational facilities and a range of other employee benefits.

The Facilities Department provides unique Facilities Management Services to the John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory and the Earlham Institute. Our prime objective is to deliver safe, high quality scientific environments, which support scientists involved with world class research.

The role:

The Maintenance Operations Supervisor will play a key role in the leadership and delivery of day-to-day facilities maintenance across all NBIP-managed buildings and laboratories.

Reporting to the Maintenance Operations Manager, you will oversee the execution of planned preventative maintenance (PPM), manage reactive repair tasks, and coordinate contractor activity to ensure efficient, safe, and compliant service delivery.
You will supervise a team of skilled maintenance technicians, ensuring smooth operation and fast response to issues across a wide range of systems and assets, including:

• Building fabric and infrastructure (e.g. internal finishes, windows, doors, flooring)
• HVAC systems and associated PPM
• Passive fire protection systems (e.g. fire doors, fire stopping, compartmentation)
• Electrical and mechanical plant maintenance
• Statutory compliance activities including L8 water hygiene, fire safety, and emergency lighting
• Team and operational H&S.

The role also involves managing emergency incidents, system shutdowns, and supporting asset life-cycle planning, all while ensuring minimal disruption to NBIP’s research environments. You will be a key figure in maintaining the safety, functionality, and efficiency of laboratory and technical spaces.

The ideal candidate:

You will hold a relevant technical qualification (e.g. HNC in building services, mechanical, or electrical engineering), along with health and safety certification (IOSH or equivalent), and have demonstrable experience managing or supervising maintenance operations in a complex building or campus environment.

You will bring strong technical knowledge of HVAC, passive fire safety, and fabric maintenance, combined with experience using CAFM systems and an understanding of statutory compliance frameworks.

We are seeking a strong team leader with excellent organisational skills, the ability to prioritise tasks under pressure, and the confidence to coordinate both in-house staff and specialist contractors. Experience in science, research, NHS, or high-containment environments would be an advantage.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,540 to £45,350 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time permanent position.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications.

The closing date for applications will be 18 August 2025.