View Vacancy -- Domestic Services Manager - Operations Group - Domestic Services - LMB 2593

The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of many new techniques, most notably protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. The LMB has a clear goal of understanding biological processes at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of using this knowledge to tackle specific problems in human health and disease. We aim to tackle difficult, long-term problems, which often require investment over many years.

There are four scientific Divisions - Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. However, scientific collaboration between the different Divisions is extensive. Scientists are well supported by excellent scientific facilities and by the LMB Operations Group which maintains the core infrastructure and services of the institute.

The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both new and established researchers. Scientists are drawn to the LMB from all over the world, thus creating a lively and international community for the exchange of ideas and technical innovation.

Overall purpose:

The Domestic Services Manager has direct responsibility for the management and delivery of high-quality cleaning and waste disposal services across the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), encompassing the following main responsibilities:
•    Providing day-to-day management, direction, guidance and support for more than 20 Domestic Services Assistants as well as a Supervisor to ensure that the required cleaning services are delivered effectively and to the appropriate standards across the LMB site. 
•    Responsible for both general and specialist (chemical, biological, radiation, sharps) waste management, delivering a pro-active service that ensures that waste streams are managed in accordance with appropriate legislation and the waste hierarchy, maximising recycling and re-use where possible. 
•    Responsible for the management of departmental consumables and the maintenance/servicing of departmental equipment.

Main duties/Key Responsibilities:

Management

•    Responsible for the efficient running of the Domestic Services department. This will include planning and allocation of work rotas, monitoring/auditing of cleaning standards and ensuring KPIs are met.
•    Management of a team of 20 plus staff and external contractors to deliver the following services across the LMB site:
-    High-quality cleaning, including specialist cleans.
-    Waste collection and disposal.
-    Maintenance of waste collection zones.
-    Internal/external glass and façade cleaning and maintenance.
-    External landscaping services.
-    Re-setting of furniture in meeting rooms and break-out areas on a daily basis.
-    Reporting building/fabric defects to the Estates & Facilities team.

•    Presenting strong team leadership, mentoring and good communication across the team, ensuring that staff welfare, support and development is provided. 
•    Management of staff holidays/sickness and handling absence issues.
•    Planning, organising and implementing continued service improvements to deliver a value-for-money service that maintains a safe-working environment at the LMB.
•    Ensuring appropriate training of staff in cleaning methods and procedures,
•    Managing external Domestic Services contracts, including the supervision of external contractors, to ensure high-quality services are delivered in accordance with agreed contractual arrangements.

Stock and budget

•    Managing the department’s budget and forecasting by working collaboratively with the Scientific Services Manager and Head of Finance.
•    Working with UKRI Commercial Business Partners, Scientific Services Manager and the Lab Services & Purchasing department to procure waste and service contracts.
•    Management of departmental consumables, including purchasing and stock control.
•    Working with suppliers to ensure best pricing for consumables, equipment and service contracts.

Health and Safety

•    Responsible for the safety of all members of staff in the Domestic Services team and contractors attending site.
•    Writing and managing the department’s policies, procedures, risk assessments and integrated working practice to deliver high-quality services in a safe manner.
•     Responsible for the training of staff on safe working practices, use of cleaning equipment and PPE requirements, and ensuring training records and are kept up to date.
•     Ensuring the Domestic Services department complies with all relevant legislation.
•     Managing the provision of hazardous chemical and biological waste disposal services.
•     Maintaining appropriate records and documentation, in line with legislative requirements, including all hazardous waste disposal, pre-acceptance clinical waste checks and independent audits.
•     Responsible for the safety of specific areas on site, such as the hazardous waste cage, waste chemical store and waste compactors. 

Sustainability

Working with the Scientific Services Manager to promote a culture of sustainability, including:
•     Investigating sustainable alternatives for consumables and cleaning products.
•     Taking sustainability into account when procuring new equipment.
•     Ensuring good practice in waste management across the building, for example putting procedures in place to ensure the waste hierarchy is adhered to.
•     Producing waste reporting metrics and progress against recycling / sustainability objectives.

Working relationships: 

You will report to the Scientific Services Manager.

This is a complex management role that will also involve a hands-on approach at times, with the assistance of the Domestic Services Supervisor. You will be expected to work closely with other members of the LMB Support Services, such as Laboratory Services & Purchasing, Estates & Facilities, through effective team working.

You will be expected to develop good working relationships with senior management, scientists, administrators, suppliers and their representatives.

Education / qualifications / training required: 

Essential:
•   Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.

Desirable
•   Relevant management qualification.
•   Relevant Health & Safety qualification such as NEBOSH or IOSHH Managing safely.
•   Evidence of continual professional development.

Previous work experience required: 

Essential: 
•   Experience managing a team within the cleaning/domestic services sector.
•   Proven experience of all major cleaning processes.
•   Proven knowledge of safe use of various types of cleaning machinery.

Desirable: 
•   Experience in hazardous chemical and biological waste removal.
•   Experience of working within a laboratory or healthcare environment.

Knowledge and experience: 

Essential
•   Knowledge of waste collection, removal and transfer through the appropriate streams and the relevant legislation that applies.
•   Sound and comprehensive knowledge of the management and delivery of cleaning services
(ideally in a laboratory or healthcare environment).
•   Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations relevant to a Domestic Services department.
•   Experience of carrying out detailed risk assessments and writing procedures.
•   Experience managing budgets and resources as well as relationships with suppliers.

Desirable
•   Experience in negotiating, e.g. supplier pricing.
•   Experience in setting up and managing contracts.

Personal skills / behaviours / qualities: 

Management:

•   Excellent leadership skills and the ability to manage, develop and motivate a large, diverse team.
•   Ability to plan and allocate work rotas to optimise the use of resources and meet service requirements.
•   Ability to deal with difficult situations, determine appropriate actions and carry these through.
•   A proven ability to bring teams together during times of change whilst maintaining performance and output.
•   An open and honest approach to managing others, praising good performance where possible and challenging poor performance when necessary.
•   Experience in training and development of a team.

Independent working:

•   Ability to plan own workload and perform with minimal managerial direction.
•   High degree of self-motivation.

Communication:

•   Excellent oral and written communication skills.
•   Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills with the ability to build enduring and effective working relationships with staff at all levels.

IT:

•   Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).

You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI: 
•  Code of Conduct
•  Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
•  Health and Safety policy
•  Data Protection policy

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal.  Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager.

The above lists are not exhaustive, and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post.  All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI.  

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.