Operations and Compliance Manager

Job Description

We are looking for a talented and experienced Operations and Compliance Manager to play a vital role in supporting our continued growth. In this role, you will oversee key operational functions, including facilities and supplier/contract management, property liaison, health and safety compliance, and leadership of our Maintenance Team.

With eight nurseries and exciting plans for growth, this is the perfect time to join our business. You will be tasked with helping to improve our operational efficiencies, ensuring we deliver the highest standards across all sites.

To be successful in this role you will be highly organised with excellent prioritisation and decision-making skills. Strong communication skills are essential, as you will work closely with suppliers, landlords, and other stakeholders to build effective working relationships. You will be able to work at pace to deliver results in a fast-moving environment.

The role is based at our Headquarters in Bolney, with regular travel to our multiple sites across Sussex required. A valid driving licence is essential for this position.

Responsibilities:

Suppliers / Contractors:

• Responsible for ensuring negotiation, procurement and managing of the supplier of utilities and supplies to the business.
• Carrying out quarterly and annual reviews of all suppliers across the business to ensure best value.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with all suppliers.
• Responsible for arranging any quotations works for the business.
• Will always seek to find the best value deals with third parties supplying the business with goods, works or services.
• Being the sites main point of contact for all issues with suppliers of goods or services. Ensuring we are getting the service we are paying for.
• Maintaining alarm call out lists, ensuring they are up to date for the relevant sites.

Maintenance Team

• Co-ordinate the week-to-week work of the Maintenance team through the Maintenance Team Leader.
• Acting as the main point of contact and liaison between the maintenance team and the rest of the business.
• Managing the reviews, holiday booking and people management elements of the maintenance team.
• Acting as a line manager for the maintenance team leader.
• Ensuring the maintenance team have a well-planned and stretching work plan, which is time efficient.
• Ensuring and helping to develop larger project plans and ensuring they are implemented, in budget and on time by the business.

Health & Safety

• Carrying out risk assessments and fire risk assessments, ensuring that any resulting actions are carried out in a timely manner.
• Working in conjunction with the Central Operations Manager to implement a ‘near miss’ and ‘incident’ reporting tool for staff
• Keeping up-to-date maintenance and service records across all sites.
• Carrying out policy review when appropriate.
• Completing annual reviews of all site H&S.
• Completing regular reviews of accidents at site level and recommending any supporting measures.
• Being the subject matter expert for health and safety within the business.

Property Liaison

• Acting as the main point of contact between the business and its variety of landlords, maintaining positive relationships.
• Organising and overseeing planned preventative maintenance works and facilities service delivery (such as mechanical and electrical services, fire safety systems, building fabric, security), liaising with contractors and landlords to ensure timely completion and minimum disruption.
• Developing and maintaining an electronic site folder for each site with key information on the building, systems, suppliers, local knowledge etc.

New Sites & Misc.

• Support the setup of new and refurbished sites through procurement of relevant contracts, suppliers, goods and services.
• Working closely with the Project Manager to ensure delivery of all projects on time and in budget.
• Supporting the business to establish and maintain budgeting systems.
• Working with the Central Operations Manager, drive CSR and environmental initiatives for Kiddie Capers Childcare ensuring that these are impactful.
• Working with the Central Operations Manager and Managing Director, be involved in developing business continuity plans for Kiddie Capers Childcare.
• Developing and maintaining asset management lists for large items across our sites, this should include mechanical items where appropriate (and details of lifespan).
• Be innovative, proactive and creative in managing our portfolio, offering solutions to problems at a fast pace.

Requirements:

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise high level tasks
• Excellent communication skills
• Team player
• Creative and solution driven
• Take initiative
• Adaptable
• Works at pace

The Company & Our Values:

Kiddie Capers Childcare is a growing Sussex company, operating multiple Nurseries & Preschools. We offer warm and friendly environments, where children feel safe and secure. At Kiddie Capers we give our children a safe, happy, and creative environment where they are inspired and encouraged to develop new ideas and interests. We value their uniqueness and recognise their individual learning needs, so that they can grow in confidence and independence in preparation not only for school, but for life.

Our stimulating learning conditions and challenging curriculum ensures each child achieves their full potential. We create a caring ethos, where we encourage respect for each other and for the environment, whilst adding to the life and well-being of our local community. Our strong partnerships with families and the wider local community, creates an open and welcoming surrounding that promotes equality and values diversity.

• Celebrating Diversity
• Respect & Empathy for the Individual
• Quality of Care
• A Passion for Integrity

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Paid mileage between sites
• Car allowance
• Attendance bonus paid monthly
• Discounts across retail, leisure and utilities
• Termly Employee Appreciation Incentives
• Wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Your Birthday off after 1 years’ service
• Sick Pay
• Increased holiday allowance with length of service
• Discounted childcare across all our sites
• Free parking on site
• Development opportunities in a rapidly growing company

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £40,000.00-£45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Childcare
• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Experience:

• Facilities management: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: In person