Shift Manager (Engineering)

Role: Shift Manager - Onsite

Role Overview

The Shift Manager is a hands-on operational leadership role responsible for leading the shift engineering team and ensuring seamless 24/7 building operations. This position focuses on real-time response coordination, shift team supervision, operational continuity across shift patterns, and maintaining immediate system availability during out-of-hours periods. The role requires physical presence during shift operations and direct oversight of shift engineers executing maintenance and reactive tasks.

Key Responsibilities

Shift Team Leadership & Direct Supervision

• Provide on-shift leadership and direct supervision of shift engineers, ensuring immediate task prioritization and technical guidance during operational periods

• Conduct daily shift briefings and end-of-shift debriefs to communicate priorities, safety alerts, and operational handovers

• Build and maintain high-performing shift teams through active coaching, on-the-job mentoring, and real-time performance feedback

• Manage shift team attendance, absences, and daily resource deployment to maintain operational coverage

• Perform on-shift capability assessments and identify skill development needs for individual shift engineers

• Lead by example through hands-on involvement in technical tasks during critical situations or resource constraints

• Foster team cohesion and morale across shift patterns, ensuring consistent standards between different shift teams

24/7 Operational Continuity & Real-Time Response

• Maintain operational command during assigned shift periods, ensuring immediate response to all building system alerts and failures

• Monitor live Building Management Systems (BMS), fire alarm panels, and critical system dashboards throughout shift operations

• Coordinate rapid response to equipment breakdowns, alarms, and emergency situations requiring immediate engineering intervention

• Direct shift engineers on urgent reactive tasks, prioritizing based on operational impact and client requirements

• Execute real-time decision-making for system isolations, emergency shutdowns, and critical equipment changeovers

• Manage simultaneous incidents during shift periods, deploying resources effectively to minimize service disruption

• Provide technical troubleshooting support to shift engineers for complex system failures or diagnostic challenges

• Maintain continuous communication with building security, client representatives, and on-call stakeholders during incidents

Shift Handover Management & Communication

• Execute structured shift handovers with incoming/outgoing Shift Engineering Managers or day team supervisors

• Maintain comprehensive shift logs documenting incidents, completed works, ongoing issues, and outstanding actions

• Ensure all critical information is communicated clearly between shift teams to prevent information loss or task duplication

• Update work management systems in real-time with shift activities, reactive responses, and job status changes

• Brief Engineering Manager on significant shift events, trends, or emerging issues requiring management attention

• Coordinate with day teams on tasks requiring follow-up, specialist input, or continuation beyond shift hours

Out-of-Hours & Emergency Coordination

• Serve as primary escalation point for all engineering emergencies during shift periods

• Mobilize emergency response resources including on-call specialists, contractors, or additional shift engineers when required

• Coordinate with emergency services (fire, police, ambulance) during critical incidents affecting building safety or operations

• Execute emergency procedures including evacuations, system isolations, or building lockdowns as required

• Manage client communication during out-of-hours emergencies, providing timely updates on incident status and resolution timelines

• Document emergency incidents thoroughly, including actions taken, resources deployed, and lessons learned

• Participate in on-call rota as required to provide management support outside standard shift patterns

Reactive Maintenance Execution & Quality Control

• Oversee shift engineers executing reactive maintenance tasks, ensuring work quality and timely completion

• Verify completed reactive works meet technical standards before signing off jobs in work management systems

• Conduct spot-checks on shift engineer workmanship during and after task completion

• Ensure all reactive works are properly documented with accurate time recording, parts usage, and technical notes

• Monitor reactive backlog during shifts, ensuring aged jobs are progressed and nothing is overlooked

• Coordinate specialist contractor callouts for reactive works beyond in-house capability during shift periods

Shift-Based Planned Maintenance Delivery

• Monitor PPM completion throughout shifts, ensuring targets are met and work quality is maintained

• Conduct random quality checks on completed PPMs to verify compliance with specifications and procedures

• Address PPM overruns or incomplete tasks by reassigning resources or escalating to Engineering Manager

• Update maintenance management systems with accurate PPM completion records before end of shift

Shift Operations Health & Safety

• Enforce safe working practices during all shift activities, challenging unsafe behaviours immediately

• Conduct shift-based safety walks and plant room inspections, identifying and rectifying hazards

• Ensure shift engineers use correct PPE, tools, and equipment for all tasks

• Verify Permit to Work compliance for all shift activities requiring isolation or high-risk work

• Coordinate safe contractor access during shift periods, verifying RAMS and monitoring on-site activities

• Report all incidents, near-misses, and safety observations occurring during shift operations

• Lead shift-based safety briefings on new procedures, lessons learned, or seasonal hazards

• Maintain shift-accessible safety documentation including emergency contact lists and procedure guides

Live System Monitoring & Performance Optimization

• Continuously monitor critical system parameters (temperatures, pressures, flows, power consumption) during shifts

• Identify abnormal operating conditions and direct corrective actions before failures occur

• Optimize system performance during low-occupancy periods through parameter adjustments or equipment sequencing

• Coordinate planned testing and commissioning activities during shift periods to minimize occupant impact

• Maintain plant room and equipment compound cleanliness standards through shift team accountability

• Conduct shift-based equipment inspections recording meter readings, visual conditions, and abnormal observations

Shift Resource & Task Management

• Deploy shift engineers efficiently across multiple tasks, balancing reactive demands with planned work

• Monitor engineer productivity and time utilization throughout shifts, addressing inefficiencies immediately

• Ensure shift teams have necessary tools, equipment, spare parts, and consumables to complete assigned tasks

• Coordinate shift vehicle usage and ensure proper maintenance, cleanliness, and security of fleet assets

• Manage shift break schedules to maintain continuous operational coverage

• Track and control shift overtime, ensuring appropriate authorization before additional hours are worked

Technical Documentation & Record Keeping

• Maintain accurate shift logs recording all activities, incidents, system changes, and communications

• Ensure shift engineers complete job cards, timesheets, and system updates accurately and promptly

• Update asset registers with new equipment information or changes identified during shift operations

• Photograph and document equipment conditions, defects, or completed works as required

• Maintain shift-accessible technical documentation including drawings, manuals, and contact information

• Archive shift records systematically for audit trails and historical reference

Essential Skills & Experience

Shift Leadership & Team Management

• Proven experience leading engineering teams in shift-based, 24/7 operational environments

• Ability to motivate and direct teams during unsociable hours including nights, weekends, and holidays

• Strong situational leadership skills to adapt management style based on real-time operational demands

• Experience managing shift handovers and maintaining operational continuity across multiple teams

• Comfortable making autonomous decisions during out-of-hours periods with limited management support

Operational & Technical Competence

• Minimum 5 years' experience in shift operations or supervisory roles within facilities management or industrial environments

• Hands-on technical competence across electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and plumbing systems

• Practical troubleshooting ability to diagnose and resolve equipment failures under time pressure

• Experience working with Building Management Systems (BMS) for monitoring and control

• Understanding of critical building systems including life safety, power distribution, and HVAC controls

Emergency Response & Decision-Making

• Proven track record managing technical emergencies and coordinating rapid response activities

• Ability to remain calm under pressure and make sound decisions during critical incidents

• Experience liaising with emergency services and managing building evacuations or lockdowns

• Strong risk assessment capability to evaluate situations and implement appropriate safety measures

• Confidence to escalate appropriately while taking ownership of shift-period incidents

Systems & Documentation

• Experience using computerized maintenance management systems (Corrigo, Maximo, or similar)

• Competent with mobile devices and tablets for real-time system updates and communication

• Strong written communication skills for shift logs, incident reports, and handover documentation

• Practical knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) for reporting and communication

Health & Safety

• Valid IOSH Managing Safely certification (essential)

• Thorough knowledge of Health & Safety regulations applicable to shift operations

• Experience implementing Permit to Work systems and managing safe isolations

• Practical understanding of RAMS review and contractor safety supervision

• Commitment to zero-harm safety culture and willingness to challenge unsafe practices

Flexibility & Availability

• Willingness to work rotating shift patterns including nights, weekends, public holidays, and seasonal variations

• Availability for on-call duties as part of management rota

• Flexibility to adjust shift patterns based on operational requirements or emergency situations

• Full UK driving licence for travel between sites or emergency callouts

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• City & Guilds, NVQ Level 3, HNC, or equivalent engineering qualifications

• Experience in high-availability environments (data centres, hospitals, manufacturing, airports)

• Familiarity with cooling towers, water treatment systems, and associated compliance

• Exposure to service desk or help desk operations

• Professional body membership (IWFM, CIBSE, IET)