The Poppy Factory – Production and Facilities Manager

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The Poppy Factory – Production and Facilities Manager

Location: The Poppy Factory, 20 Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6UR

Full Time: 37.5 hours per week (08:00-16:30, Monday to Friday)

Contract: Permanent

Reports to: Director of Production and the Estate

At The Poppy Factory, we take immense pride in our mission to support veterans and their families, helping them to lead fulfilling lives after service. We are a close-knit team united by our shared values of Adaptability, Collaboration, Empowerment and Sense of Purpose. We are looking for a Production and Facilities Manager who embodies these values, someone who is committed to excellence, teamwork, and making a meaningful difference.

The Role:

As the Production and Facilities Manager, you will be at the heart of our operations, ensuring that our annual order for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal is fulfilled to the highest standards. You will also oversee Health & Safety and Facilities management for the organisation, our premises, and office tenants.

Responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing all aspects of the production process, ensuring products are delivered on time and to quality standards.
• Leading and developing a production team of 17 staff, managing staff performance, and offering support, coaching, and mentoring to help everyone reach their full potential.
• Taking the lead on health and safety for the factory, visitor centre, and commercial properties.
• Overseeing facilities maintenance, ensuring that all buildings and systems (fire safety, ventilation, heating) are regularly tested and compliant.
• Coordinating work experience schemes, corporate volunteering, and other initiatives that engage the wider community in supporting veterans.

Who We’re Looking For:

We are looking for someone who has a deep sense of responsibility and pride in their work, someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and values the opportunity to make a real impact. You’ll be a natural leader who can inspire a team, and you will have experience in managing production operations, facilities, and health and safety.

Key Skills and Experience:

• Experience: Proven experience in a management role in a manufacturing or operations environment. Experience of staff management, production scheduling, and liaising with external contractors is key.
• Leadership: Strong leadership skills with a hands-on approach to staff development and performance management.
• Health & Safety: Knowledge of health and safety regulations and practical experience implementing safe working practices.
• Facilities Management: Experience in overseeing building maintenance and managing service contracts.
• Values: A strong commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion, with an understanding of the challenges faced by veterans and people with disabilities.
• Communication: Clear, concise communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, external contractors, and stakeholders.
• A qualification in Health & Safety (e.g., NEBOSH) or equivalent.
• Experience in project management or operations/logistics management.
• Knowledge of mental health issues, safeguarding, and first aid training.

Why Work at The Poppy Factory?

Joining The Poppy Factory is more than just a job. You will be part of an inspiring and passionate team that provides meaningful work that directly supports veterans and their families. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace that values each individual’s contribution and well-being.

The Poppy Factory aims to be an exemplar employer. We recognise the impact that working with a challenging cohort can have on our staff, which is why we prioritise work/life balance and support mechanisms including training, supervision and EAP provision.

The Poppy Factory provides competitive terms and conditions of employment, including:

• Opportunity for home-based/hybrid and flexible working
• 28 days’ basic annual leave per year (including a day in lieu of Armistice Day, and 3 days’ Christmas closure), rising to 32 days with long service, plus bank holidays
• Double-matched pension contributions up to 10% employer contribution

How to apply

To apply for this position please send your CV and a covering letter clearly outlining how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification as set out in the candidate pack and submit via the online application process. Please address your covering letter to Jeff Short, Director of Production & Estate.

The closing date for applications will be19 January 2025. Please note, we are unable to accept late or incomplete applications.

We are committed to equality, valuing diversity and promoting inclusion within our workforce, including the volunteers who give their time to us. We work to maintain an environment where the needs and aspirations of all employees are met, irrespective of characteristics protected under the legislative framework of the Equality Act 2010. We expect everyone to understand and accept their personal responsibility to recognise and value differences and the unique contributions that people make to the way we deliver our work. As an equal opportunities employer our commitment is to take positive measures to recruit people from underrepresented groups, and we actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.

As a Disability Confident employer, we offer a guaranteed interview for any job applicant with a disability who meets the essential criteria for the role. Please indicate in your covering letter if you wish to be considered under this scheme. We are also happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process to accommodate disabled candidates.

Additionally, we offer a guaranteed interview to veterans of the UK armed forces or members of the Reservist forces who meet the essential role criteria. Please make it clear in your application if you wish to be considered on this basis. Please note, to be eligible for consideration under this scheme your application must demonstrate that you meet the essential role criteria as set out in the person specification.