Operations Manager

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Longford; On-site; EUR 58,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Christopher’s Services in Longford, Ireland, seeks an experienced Operations Manager to lead Facilities, Transport and canteen services. You will drive budgeting, procurement, and governance while ensuring regulatory compliance and high service standards for residents and staff.

The role requires strong leadership, planning, and reporting skills, with experience in disability sector settings and a proactive approach to continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience and proven track record in operations management.
• Ability to lead multiple teams in Transport, Maintenance and Canteen.
• Strong planning, budgeting and procurement capabilities.
• Knowledge of HIQA regulations and data protection requirements.
• Excellent IT skills with MS Office suite; ability to generate reports.
• Fluency in English and eligibility to live and work in Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations teams; oversee workforce planning, supervision, training, and performance management.
• Manage fleet of vehicles and transportation services ensuring safety and compliance.
• Oversee maintenance of properties and facilities to high standards.
• Develop and review facilities, security, and risk management policies.
• Plan and deliver facilities projects within budgets and timelines.
• Coordinate insurance renewals and procurement for services.
• Supervise canteen service with budget control and quality.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and health/safety regulations.
• Monitor service quality and implement improvements based on feedback.
• Manage procurement and contracts ensuring value for money.
• Collaborate with Finance on budgeting and overall operations spend.

Skills

People management

Planning & organisation

IT skills

Data reporting

Project management

Roster management

Attention to detail

Budgeting & cost control

English fluency

GDPR/Data Protection

HIQA Regulations

Stakeholder management

Vendor & procurement

Disability sector experience

Education

Third level qualification

Tools

Softworks HRIS

Snapfix maintenance tracking

Job description

Location: On site / Longford, Co. Longford, Ireland
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Facilities Management | Operations Manager
Annual Salary range:from € 58,466.00 to € 71,428.00

JOB PURPOSE:St. Christopher’s Services are seeking an experienced person to manage and to provide guidance and support over our Operations areas to include Property Maintenance, Transport, Facilities Management, Canteen, Insurance and Compliance.The post holder will use research, planning and organisational skills to ensure that structures, systems, and processes are in place to ensure the effective and smooth running of Operations Functions.The post holder will support the CEO and relevant stakeholders in the design, review and improvement of best practice for the specified functions whilst maintaining the highest standards of compliance and governance.

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the Operations teams through the support of managers within the Transport, Maintenance and Canteen functions, including workforce planning, supervision, performance management, training, and development to support the delivery of high-quality services.
• Responsible for the management and oversight of St. Christopher's Services fleet of 46 vehicles, ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of transport services.
• Manage the overall maintenance, repair, and upkeep of all organisational properties, ensuring buildings and facilities are maintained to a safe, compliant, and high standard.
• Develop, implement, and continuously review facilities management, maintenance, security, and risk management strategies, policies, and procedures to support organisational objectives and promote compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Plan, manage, and deliver facilities projects and capital works programmes, ensuring projects are completed within approved budgets, agreed timelines, and required quality standards.
• Coordinate the annual insurance renewal for the Service, including the management of motor fleet insurance arrangements, ensuring all authorised staff are appropriately insured to drive service vehicles and that all required information is submitted accurately and in a timely manner to insurers.
• Oversee the management of the canteen service, ensuring the delivery of a safe, high-quality, and cost-effective food service for residents, staff, and visitors, while maintaining effective budget control, resource management, and procurement practices.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant food safety legislation, HACCP requirements, and regulatory standards, while promoting best practices in food hygiene, health and safety, and staff training.
• Monitor and continuously improve canteen services, responding to feedback and implementing improvements to enhance service quality and customer satisfaction.
• Lead the procurement, benchmark and contract management of the operations functions including insurance coverage for the Service, ensuring services are procured in accordance with organisational policies and procurement regulations, while delivering quality, cost-effectiveness, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with relevant procurement policies, public procurement guidelines, and OGP framework requirements for contracts valued at €5,000 or above, facilitating the timely procurement of goods and services while achieving value for money.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with suppliers and contractors, monitoring performance against agreed service levels and addressing issues to ensure continuous service delivery and value for money.
• Work closely with the Finance Department on procurement and budgeting, taking overall responsibility for the operations budget and ensuring expenditure remains within agreed budgets, timelines and value-for-money principles.

Candidates must have experience and be able to demonstrate a proven track record in the following:

• A third level qualification is preferable
• At least 3 years operations experience or similar experience in the business community, ideally holding experience in working in the disability sector
• Proven and demonstrable people management/engagement skills and the proven ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Excellent IT skills including MS Office, Office 365, MS Word, Excel, & PowerPoint
• Ability to run reports and present data
• Demonstrate experience regarding project management
• Experience in staff and roster management
• Thorough approach to work/attention to detail.
• Ability to priorities competing deadlines and to deliver work on time and within budget.
• Knowledge of HIQA Regulations, Health, and Safety Legislation; Data Protection & GDPR.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, and eligible to live and work in Ireland.
• Experience of utilisation of Softworks HRIS and Snapfix maintenance tracking system or similar systems a plus