Background & Client Overview
Whirlpool, a global leader in home appliances, appointed Maxwell Stephens to recruit an experienced Facilities Manager to support its operations in Peterborough and across multiple sites.
The role was critical to maintaining the reliability, safety and efficiency of the estate, with responsibility spanning utilities, building maintenance, health, safety and environmental compliance, project delivery and team leadership.
Whirlpool required a Facilities Management professional who could combine strong technical knowledge with commercial awareness, sound judgement and the ability to manage a broad operational workload in a complex corporate environment.
The Challenge
The Facilities Manager role carried responsibility for ensuring essential building services and utilities operated effectively while maintaining full compliance with statutory and organisational requirements.
The successful candidate needed to demonstrate both technical Facilities Management expertise and the leadership skills required to manage people, contractors, projects and competing operational priorities.
Key requirements included:
Utilities & Building Services Management
Overseeing the effective provision of utilities and building services across multiple sites while maintaining reliability and controlling costs.
Maintenance Management
Ensuring planned and reactive maintenance activities were properly coordinated to support the continued performance of buildings and critical assets.
Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance
Maintaining rigorous HSE standards and ensuring statutory inspections, testing, waste-management activities and associated documentation complied with relevant requirements.
Project Management
Managing Facilities projects from initial concept through to completion, ensuring works were delivered safely, efficiently and within agreed budgets.
Team Leadership
Leading a team of six direct reports and creating a culture focused on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Cost & Budget Control
Monitoring Facilities expenditure and ensuring services and projects delivered appropriate value while meeting operational requirements.
Strategic Asset Planning
Developing longer-term programmes to protect and preserve Whirlpool’s buildings and infrastructure.
Our Recruitment Approach
Maxwell Stephens carried out a targeted search for Facilities Management professionals with proven experience across building services, utilities, compliance and multi-site operations.
Our search focused on candidates capable of managing a technically varied workload while also providing strong leadership and stakeholder communication.
Particular attention was given to professionals with:
- comprehensive Facilities Management experience
- strong knowledge of building services and maintenance
- experience managing HSE and statutory compliance
- relevant qualifications such as NEBOSH and BIFM
- project-management capability
- strong commercial and budget-management skills
- experience leading operational teams
- the ability to build productive relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers
Following a detailed search and assessment process, Maxwell Stephens successfully placed an experienced Facilities Manager with Whirlpool.
Outcome & Impact
The successful appointment strengthened Whirlpool’s Facilities Management capability across several important operational areas.
Improved Operational Performance
The Facilities Manager took ownership of utilities and maintenance operations across the estate, helping ensure essential services were delivered efficiently and reliably.
Closer oversight also supported stronger cost control and more effective use of Facilities resources.
Stronger HSE & Compliance Management
The candidate implemented and maintained robust health, safety and environmental standards across the sites.
This included oversight of statutory inspections, testing and waste-management requirements, helping ensure Facilities operations remained aligned with legal and organisational expectations.
Effective Project Delivery
The Facilities Manager successfully led project works from conception through to completion.
Projects were managed with close attention to HSE requirements, legal obligations, budgets and operational priorities.
Stronger Team Leadership
Effective management of six direct reports helped create clearer accountability and supported a more collaborative approach to service delivery.
The candidate encouraged continuous improvement while ensuring the team remained focused on operational performance and compliance.
Improved Cost Management
Greater oversight of utilities, maintenance and projects helped strengthen financial control and ensure expenditure remained aligned with business requirements.
Long-Term Asset Preservation
The Facilities Manager developed and implemented a longer-term preservation programme for Whirlpool’s buildings.
This provided a more structured approach to maintaining assets, supporting operational longevity and contributing to broader sustainability objectives.
Outcome
The successful placement gave Whirlpool a Facilities Manager capable of balancing technical operations, compliance, project delivery, cost control and people leadership across a complex multi-site environment.
The appointment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens’ ability to recruit Facilities Management professionals who can manage immediate operational demands while also contributing to long-term asset performance and strategic estate planning.
Looking for an experienced Facilities Manager to strengthen technical operations, compliance and asset performance across your estate? Contact Maxwell Stephens to discuss your recruitment requirements.