Who We Are

apetito is the UK’s leading supplier of food to the health and social care sectors. Servicing over 400 hospitals, 450 care homes and thousands more through our work with Local Authorities, we produce delicious, nutritious and sustainable meals for people at home or in care. Through our food we look to ‘make a real difference’ to all our customers, up and down the country.

The Portbury site is the centre of our nationwide distribution network and home to our main cold-store which runs at -23 degrees!

The role

We are seeking a dedicated and commercially astute facilities manager with significant experience in health and safety management within the warehouse and transport sector. The ideal candidate will possess a profound understanding of facility operations, regulatory compliance, and risk assessment methodologies. In this critical operational role, you will spearhead the efficient operation and maintenance of our leased facilities at Portbury, ensuring functionality, safety, and compliance while driving performance optimization through close collaboration with engineering teams, the landlord, and operations colleagues.

Your role will be pivotal in supporting the project team as it navigates the transition into new facilities over the next few years, leading strategic initiatives to enhance cost-efficiency and align with our organization's overarching business objectives. Responsibilities will include coordinating internal cleaning and hygiene teams, managing outsourcing, nurturing supplier relationships, and overseeing contractor management on-site.

Reporting directly to the General Manager alongside key senior operational leads, your contributions will be paramount in shaping the success and sustainability of our operation. You will enjoy the autonomy to implement innovative ideas, make impactful decisions, and lead a small dedicated team toward achieving operational excellence in our distinctive and demanding facility setting.

Our Values

Established in 1958, as a family-owned business, our values sit at the very heart of what we do. We are committed to producing ‘great food to be proud of’. We have developed a range of products designed to ‘enhance health and well-being’ for all our customers. We are proud supporters of British food and farming and focus on using the best ‘ethical and sustainably’ sourced produce.

Ethical & Sustainable

As a business which operates within food manufacturing, we believe we have an obligation to make a positive contribution on society. With over 300 products in our range, we ensure our produce is ethically and sustainably sourced, working only with suppliers who share our commitment to making a positive impact.

We’re a proud member of the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI), a leading alliance of companies, trade unions and NGOs, that promote respect for workers’ rights globally. All our new suppliers now operate under the ETI’s guidelines.

We subscribe to The UK’s Plastics Pact, an initiative looking to transform the plastic packaging industry in the UK, and have committed to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic by 2025.

We have also made a commitment to our employees – we’re recognised as an accredited Living Wage employer by the Living Wage Foundation. Joining an elite group of FTSE 100 companies and public sector organisations.

In addition to a competitive salary you will receive a comprehensive training program, 25 days annual leave holiday entitlement (+ option to buy 5 additional days per year,)  4% matched pension contribution, entry to the company bonus scheme, free lunch, snack and beverages, retail discounts, free car parking, free turkey (or voucher) at Christmas and much more!

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic facility management: Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for the effective management of our leased facilities, aligning facility objectives with the broader goals of the operational team. This includes leveraging commercial insights to identify opportunities for cost savings, operational efficiencies, and sustainability practices in a site that is in its last years of operation.
• Financial Forecasting oversight: Develop comprehensive financial forecasts and projections for facility and hygiene team-related expenses. Utilise historical data and anticipated business needs to create accurate expenditure plans that aligns with our strategic objectives in the current site, during a period of transition and in a new and next generation facility, including the period of transition.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Conduct thorough cost-benefit analyses for proposed facility improvements, upgrades, or expansions cognizant of the temporary nature of the current facility. Evaluate potential investments and provide assessments, highlighting the projected returns, risks, and long-term benefits of each initiative.
• Board Recommendations: Present well-researched and data-driven recommendations to the executive team regarding facility-related expenditures. Clearly articulate the rationale behind each proposal, outlining the potential impact on operational efficiency, cost savings, risk and consequence of failure and overall organizational growth.
• Capital Budget Planning: Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop and manage capital budgets specific to facility enhancements or renovations. Work closely with finance and executive teams to prioritize and allocate funds for critical projects while ensuring alignment with the organization's financial goals.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks associated with facility-related expenditure decisions. Develop mitigation strategies and alternative plans to address unforeseen challenges, ensuring prudent use of financial resources while maintaining operational continuity.
• Communication and Transparency: Maintain open communication channels, providing regular updates on facility expenditure status, project milestones, and any deviations from planned budgets. Foster transparency by offering clear explanations and proactive solutions to address any financial concerns or discrepancies.
• Vendor Management: Cultivate and maintain relationships with vendors, contractors, and service providers. Evaluate proposals, negotiate agreements, and oversee performance to ensure optimal service delivery and adherence to contractual obligations while keeping an eye on cost-effectiveness.
• Compliance and Regulations: Stay updated on industry standards, regulatory requirements, and compliance obligations related to facility management. Implement and monitor procedures to ensure our facilities meet all necessary codes and regulations, mitigating risks and ensuring a safe and legally compliant environment.
• Team Leadership and Development: The team, comprising cleaners and a site engineer, operates around the clock, 24/7, ensuring continuous maintenance and supervision. 
• Space management and 5S: Conduct a thorough assessment of our current space, considering factors such as layout, workflow, storage capacity, and employee needs. Identify any underutilized or inefficiently used areas that can be repurposed or optimized during our period of growth.  Drive 5S methodology to enable efficient space management at our site. By adopting Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain principles, we can systematically organize our workspace, streamline processes, and maintain a clean and organized environment. This approach will help eliminate waste, reduce clutter, and improve productivity by ensuring that tools, materials, and equipment are easily accessible and properly stored. Through regular audits and continuous improvement initiatives, we can establish a culture of cleanliness, orderliness, and discipline that enhances operational efficiency and contributes to our overall success.
• Asset management: The facilities manager is responsible for managing operational assets such as FLT's and the leased ASRS, this includes managing scheduled maintenance, agreeing SLA’s, and overseeing key performance indicators.  Ultimately acting as a from person for multiple operational stakeholders in key equipment by effectively managing these critical components of our facility operations, the Facilities Manager plays a crucial role in enhancing productivity, safety, and overall performance.
• Sustainability: Lead the formulation and execution of a thorough site sustainability strategy, encompassing oversight of initiatives and objectives throughout the site.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in Facility Management, Business Administration, or a related field (CFM, FMP, or similar are desirable.)
• Proven experience in facility management, with a track record of successfully implementing cost-effective solutions and driving strategic initiatives.
• Financial literacy and budget management skills.
• Financial Planning: Demonstrated expertise in strategic financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, particularly in a facilities management context.
• Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to achieve shared goals and objectives.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal abilities.
• Track record of excellent Health & Safety standards and an accreditation, such as NEBOSH or IOSH
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively senior leadership, influencing decision-making through persuasive and well-supported recommendations.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical capabilities to assess financial data, conduct feasibility studies, and translate findings into actionable insights and proposals for the board's consideration.

Personal Qualities:

• Enthusiastic/can do attitude – happy to roll up the sleeves and get the job done no matter how small
• Ability to establish strong effective working relationships with colleagues
• A good communicator
• Ability to quickly identify solutions to problems, to make decisions, take ownership and use own initiative to resolve problems
• Exemplary attention to detail 
• The proven ability to work under pressure and deal with challenging situations
• Reliable and able to be flexible as required