A facilities manager is the individual charged with taking care of the day-to-day maintenance, upgrades, and management of these systems. From storage areas to physical workplace, a profession needs to rely upon everything being in operating order to run smoothly. Facility management (FM) is worried with operating and maintaining commercial and industrial properties. This function may be performed by in-house corporate staff or by an outside firm specializing in facilities management. Facilities operations managers may run one or many locations, and they are generally responsible for ensuring everything to do with the physical infrastructure of the business. Facilities may include sports complexes, jails, hospitals, hotels, and retail establishments, but in business, the term is used most often to describe office buildings and factories. Responsibilities include providing janitorial and maintenance services, security, engineering services, and managing telecommunications and information systems. The facility manager’s job is to create an environment that encourages productivity, is safe, is pleasing to clients and customers, meets building regulations, and is efficient.

Key Responsibilities of a Facility Manager

1.People Management

In most/ some cases the Facilities Manager will have a team of people whose responsibility is to support the FM in carrying out the many duties that come under the parasol of the FM department. The Facilities Manager, therefore, requires not only good People Management skills but also leadership skills.

Leadership is one aspect of the role, but a facilities manager also needs to be able to carry out the following management functions

  • Assignment planning
  • Evaluations
  • Punitive & Complaint
  • Pressure

2. Health & Safety Management

Health & Safety is a major part of the role of the Facilities Manager and managing the Health & Safety of the site is key to the effective running of the department. Health & Safety is governed by a whole raft of legislation but one of the key ways the Facilities Manager supports the core business is by ensuring that the organization remains compliant with that legislation.

The consequences of failing to comply with health and safety legislation can be severe. Apart from the possibility of injury or worse to an employee or visitor, they can include:

  • Penalties
  • Detention
  • Bad profile-raising
  • Loss of customers
  • Loss of staff

 

3. Emerging and managing merchant contracts. 

Facilities managers often work carefully with merchants to ensure that the corporations are maximizing their possessions. Not only do they negotiate these contracts, but they are also in charge of making sure these contracts are fulfilled. Through this, they are able to develop and maintain relationships with the vendors

4. Creating plans for replacements and repairs

Management and maintenance go hand-in-hand. Facilities managers will also need to plan ahead for any necessary replacements and repairs, scheduling necessary maintenance and management tasks during the times that are least likely to disrupt the business and its employees.

5. Developing and managing vendor contracts

Facilities managers often work very closely with vendors to ensure that the companies are maximizing their resources. Not only do they negotiate these contracts, but they are also in charge of making sure these contracts are fulfilled. Through this, they are able to develop and maintain relationships with the vendors.

Not every business has or wants a dedicated facilities manager. Luckily, there is always the option to outsource. McTimothy Associates offers comprehensive facility management services, starting with consultations regarding your existing facility and your future needs. Contact us today to find out more about fine-tuning and managing your physical operations.