Your new role
In this Field based role, you will be responsible for overseeing the performance of facilities management and contractors, ensuring KPIs and SLAs are met across the retail estate. Key duties include managing the budget for repairs and maintenance, approving quoted works, and ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards. The position also involves providing operational support to internal stakeholders through reporting, coordinating scheduled works, and acting as the first point of escalation for issues. Additionally, the role supports the Group Property and Contracts Manager on operational events, works closely with contractors and project managers to meet deadlines, and ensures proper documentation and certification are maintained. The individual will also liaise with external stakeholders, including landlords and managing agents, and manage work orders through to completion.
What you'll be doing
- Management of the KPI/SLA checks with site teams to ensure the facilities management company and other contractors are performing to the expected service levels.
- Responsible for the budget management of repairs & maintenance for the retail estate across both opex and capex.
- Responsible for approving quoted works including checking the costs against the agreed contract schedule of rates.
- Provide operational support to line management & internal stakeholders by preparing reports & figures to inform business decisions.
- Ensure all appointed contractors comply with relevant H&S and environmental requirements whilst on site.
- Liaise with internal stakeholders to ensure departments and on site teams are aware of scheduled works, site visits and any general updates that require their awareness.
- Working closing with senior stakeholders as the first point of escalation for any challenges to deliver the most optimum resolution.
- Proactive problem solving - ability to gain a clear understanding of issues and work autonomously to deliver an appropriate resolution in collaboration with the brands.
- Work closely with the Group Acquisitions & Estates Manager to resolve any operational events to the best outcome
- Facilitate meetings between contract managers and project managers on new installations and new site setups to ensure relevant deadlines are met including documentation transfer.
- Responsible for placing work orders with contractors/supply partners and managing through to completion.
- Responsible for monitoring central software platform to ensure that sites are running optimally and any alerts are dealt with in a timely manner.
- Collate evidence and costs associated with any insurance claims and report to Group Acquisitions & Estates manager, Property Service Contracts Manager and Legal team where necessary.
- Responsible for updating central certification portal with all relevant certification/documents.
- Provide updates to the wider Property department in relation to operational events where appropriate.
- Liaise with external stakeholders including landlords and managing agents when required.
The role is for you if...
- You have a full drivers licence
- Are comfortable with travel (national)
- Confident, outgoing and able to effectively communicate with various stakeholders to resolve issues
- Strong communication skills both verbal and written
- Comfortable dealing with people at all levels of seniority
- Collaborative team player orientation towards work relationships, strong culture awareness
- Ability to deal with issues on site in a pragmatic manner and act as a point of escalation to fully resolve
- Demonstrated ability to manage challenging situations
- Ability to problem solve in high pressure situations
- Ability to develop cooperative and constructive working relationships
- Strong administrative background with excellent organisational skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously
- IOSH (Desirable)
- Experience in Property or Facilities management (Desirable)
- Understanding of M&E and asset management
About DFS
It takes a whole lot of passion to be at the centre of what makes a house feel like home — and that’s just what we do at DFS. We’re the leading sofa retail specialist in the UK, helping people find a comfy seat on great quality sofas since 1969.
We're a market leader in the UK because of one thing: our people. Our people made us who we are and will drive us into our ambitious future, together. We offer incredible opportunities to get stuck into fun and meaningful work as well as learn new skills — so you can really ‘find your thing’.
Are you ready to make yourself at DFS?
DFS Group is proud to be an equal opportunities employer; celebrating diversity and committed to a culture of inclusion and belonging. We extend a warm welcome to everyone, embracing a variety of voices and perspectives. As we continue to work on building a workplace that is representative of the customers we serve and the communities we live and work in, we strongly encourage applications from members of minority and under-represented groups. Across the Group, we want to create an environment where everyone feels at home.
DFS Benefits
- Excellent salary + benefits package
- Company car
- Travel expenses/hotel stays paid
- Progression and Development opportunities to grow your skills
- A huge 30% colleague discount, plus 15% friends & family discount across our Group (DFS, Sofology, Dwell)
- Generous holiday allowance
- Access to a range of high street & online discounts from: Sainsbury’s, ASOS, Currys PC World, IKEA, John Lewis and more.
- Discounted Gym and Cinema memberships to help you unwind
- Group Pension Scheme
- Life Assurance & Company Sick Pay
- Full comprehensive training
- Paid days to volunteer each year
Any offer is subject to references & DBS Checks