Office Manager

Dechra; Manchester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Employee Assistance Program

Life Assurance

Enhanced Family Leave

Discounted Pet Food

Job summary

Dechra is seeking an Office Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our Manchester city centre office, ensuring a professional, welcoming and safe environment. You will coordinate facilities, front-of-house, health and safety, supplier management and staff experience to enable colleagues to work efficiently.

This hands-on role requires strong organisation, sound judgement and the ability to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Methodical, organised approach to work and a flexible mindset.
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills.
• Professional demeanour with the ability to plan, organise and prioritise.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills for all levels.
• Discretion handling confidential information with professionalism.
• Proactive, with initiative and teamwork ability.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and quick to learn new tech.
• IOSH or Health & Safety qualification is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily office operations to maintain a professional, welcoming environment.
• Coordinate facilities, front-of-house, security, cleaning and office moves.
• Liaise with landlords, building management and external service providers.
• Schedule repairs, maintenance, and planned projects with minimal disruption.
• Manage visitor procedures, meeting room readiness and access passes.
• Support new starters and leavers with workstation setup and inductions.
• Monitor budgets, raise PO, approve invoices within authority.

Skills

Methodical

Organised

Effective communication

Professional demeanour

Planning & prioritising

Interpersonal skills

Discretion

Initiative

Team player

Office software proficient

Education

IOSH Health & Safety qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Why Dechra?

Thank you for checking out our vacancy, we're delighted you want to learn more about joining Dechra.

A career at Dechra is different. Sure, we're a growing global company with a presence in 27 countries but our purpose is simple - to achieve the sustainable improvement of animal health and welfare globally.

If you want to be part of a team that invests in your future and ensures you have the support to reach your full potential and thrive, please read on.

The Opportunity

The Office Manager is responsible for the effective day-to-day management of a busy city centre office, ensuring the workplace operates smoothly, efficiently, and safely. The role acts as the central point of coordination for facilities, front-of-house operations, health and safety compliance, supplier management, and employee experience, enabling colleagues and visitors to operate in a professional, well-organised environment.

This is a hands-on, highly visible role, requiring strong organisational skills, excellent judgement, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-moving office setting. The ideal candidate should be proactive, resourceful, and capable of handling a wide range of tasks with confidentiality and professionalism.

Role Responsibility

So, what will you be doing? This role has a broad and varied remit and the successful candidate will have responsibility for duties including:

Office & Facilities Management

• Oversee the smooth running of the office on a daily basis, ensuring a professional, welcoming, and well-maintained environment.
• Manage building-related matters including cleaning, security, maintenance, office moves, desk management, meeting rooms, and shared spaces.
• Act as the primary liaison with landlords, building management, and external service providers.
• Coordinate repairs, maintenance works, and planned projects with minimal disruption to business operations.
• Coordinate logistics for onsite meetings, workshops, and global team visits.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Act as the local lead for Health & Safety, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and internal policies.
• Maintain risk assessments, fire safety procedures, accident logs, and evacuation arrangements.
• Organise and monitor regular safety checks, drills, and training as required.

Front of House & Visitor Experience

• Ensure reception and front-of-house services operate to a high standard, creating a positive first impression for clients and visitors.
• Oversee visitor procedures, access passes, and meeting room readiness.
• Act as escalation point for any on-site issues affecting staff or visitors.
• Represent the company with professionalism and warmth in all interactions
• Maintain vendor relationships, service contracts, and building management interactions.
• Monitor office budgets, raise purchase orders, approve invoices within authority, and identify cost-effective solutions.
• Track service performance and resolve issues promptly.

People & Office Coordination

• Support new starters and leavers from an office perspective (workstations, equipment, access, inductions).
• Act as a point of contact for employees on office-related matters and workplace queries.
• Coordinate office communications, updates, and local operational changes.
• Organise office events, celebrations, volunteer and engagement activities
• Maintain accurate records relating to facilities, contracts, health and safety, and compliance.
• Identify opportunities to improve office efficiency, sustainability, and employee experience.
• Support ad-hoc projects and initiatives linked to office operations and workplace strategy.

The Candidate

Here at Dechra we pride ourselves on being an inclusive employer. We know that individuals' unique background and experience can bring a wealth of variety and expertise to our global workforce. For this role, we're particularly keen to hear from those who have/are:

• Ability to demonstrate a methodical, organised and flexible approach to work
• Effective listening, verbal and written communication skills
• Professional approach
• Able to plan, organise and prioritise
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships
• A high level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information with professionalism
• Proficient in office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite) and comfortable learning new technologies
• A proactive and positive attitude with the ability to anticipate needs and take initiative
• Experience of working as part of a team and on own initiative
• Facilities Management, IOSH, or Health & Safety qualification is desirable

Additional Information:

• This role is based in the office 5 days a week

What we can offer you:

• 33 days annual (inclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life AssuranceEnhanced Family Leave
• Discounted Pet Food

About the Company

If a career at Dechra has piqued your interest, find out more at Dechra Careers.

Dechra is a growing, global specialist in veterinary pharmaceuticals. Our expertise is in the development, manufacture, marketing and sales of high quality products exclusively for veterinarians worldwide.

All applications received are reviewed by our internal talent acquisition team and we will get in touch if your skills and experience match what we're looking for. Should you not hear back from us within 28 days please don't be too disappointed - we may keep your CV on our database for any future vacancies which could be suitable, and we encourage you to keep an eye on our careers site. We value diversity within our global workforce and encourage an inclusive culture. Any questions or queries, please contact us at