STEVE FORD
Goole,East Riding
Summary
Results-driven operations manager with a strong track record in exceeding organisational objectives. Demonstrates exceptional business communication and organisational skills, effectively managing complex workloads and meeting challenging targets under tight deadlines. Committed to process improvement and reliable multitasking, contributing to enhanced operational efficiency.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
FACILITIES MANAGER
PGL Travel
2022.03 - Current
- Managed full department of hard and soft facilities services, including estate maintenance, housekeeping and activity bases including equipment and safety PPE.
- Introduced facilities management platform to manage technical compliance, health and safety, CDM, and proactive/reactive maintenance, ensuring clear documentation for all completed tasks.
- Managed health and safety protocols across centre, promoting a culture of safety and compliance among staff and visitors.
- Facilitated staff training on health and safety protocols, promoting a culture of safety awareness.
- Responded to emergencies by coordinating appropriate resources and services to keep everyone safe.
- Through use of CDM and dynamic risk assessments, managed third party suppliers and service providers, including grounds maintenance, promoting robust and reliable working relationships.
- Control of the centre budget including Profit and Loss.
- Oversaw the operational function of a fifty-two-acre outdoor activity centre, including a one thousand bed residential site.
- Achieved central goals related to NPS, facilities and health and safety dashboards, learning and development, and positive customer feedback, contributing to overall centre success.
- Management of operational departments via Heads of Departments using objective setting and the personal development programme.
- Full support to the General Manager, acting as counsel, confidant, promoting their management direction and deputising in their absence.
- Supporting the larger Property Management division for the national Inspiring Learning (Pre PGL)Estate acting as consultant for the other twelve facilities teams in the company.
- Promote transparent, positive, and assertive communications within teams and team members.
- Mental Health First Aider and Designated Safeguarding Lead for team member and guest welfare and wellbeing.
GENERAL MANAGER
Naylors Timber Recovery Ltd
2020.07 - 2022.03
- Controlled site budget and led team to meet production targets while maintaining quality standards.
- Developed high-performing teams to consistently exceed goals, drive revenue and expand markets.
- Cultivated business culture centred on performance optimisation and achievement of key goals.
- Oversaw daily production planning, goods flow, and logistics for timber reclamation site, ensuring operational efficiency.
- Monitored operations to keep processes aligned with targets and matching forecasts.
- Managed inbound and outbound transport schedules, coordinating collections and deliveries.
- Kept organisation in compliance with regulations and internal requirements.
GENERAL MANAGER
Lincolnshire Organics
2018.06 - 2020.07
- Accountable for the daily operations of the site - support management planning, forecasting trends, and revising plans on an ongoing basis.
- Implemented an effective working process, thus improving labour efficiency while still providing excellent customer service.
- Conducted market intelligence on competitor activity, providing insights to management for strategic decision-making.
- Developed marketing strategies to strengthen competitive positioning, ensuring long-term market advantage.
- Streamlined EPOS and ticketing systems to improve combined income stream reporting accuracy and efficiency.
- Focused on the development of the outdoor areas of the business to improve the standards of service further.
- Provide subject matter expertise and industry knowledge.
COMMERCIAL MANAGER
Autism Plus Ltd
2015.07 - 2018.06
- Delivered major strategic objectives while continuously optimising operational performance.
- Implemented business plans to ensure both enterprises operated successfully as stand-alone outlets.
- Ensured that both businesses operated safely and efficiently, abiding by all relevant regulations and legislation bodies, including trading standards.
- Led and directed the established team to increase performance and bring the company culture closer to corporate standards.
- Provided leadership direction and motivation, fostering team engagement across both businesses.
- Delivered a change in operations with the staffing and facilities available, while remaining true to the philosophy and main function of the social enterprises.
- Accountable for the management of two social enterprises designed to teach and support vulnerable people in work and life skills within a legitimate work setting.
GENERAL/OPERATIONS MANAGER
SMG Europe
2011.03 - 2015.07
- Oversaw the operations of York’s largest conferencing and entertainment venue, re-opening after a multi-million-pound refurbishment.
- Implemented strategies to enhance operational efficiency and maximise resource utilisation across the business.
- Coordinated recruitment and resourcing of a management team for marketing, administration, box office, events, technical and facilities departments, ensuring alignment with operational goals.
- Coordinated and managed several high-profile events including the Visit Yorkshire AGM, GNER Awards Ceremony and the Liberal Democrats Party Conference.
- Established strong relationships with local authority and suppliers, securing preferential payment terms and improved service conditions for the business.
- Led the sourcing activity for the company and managed purchase requisitions and orders.
- Handled purchasing pricing and terms, including monitoring supplier performance.
- (York Barbican)
OPERATIONS MANAGER
David Lloyd Leisure
2008.02 - 2011.03
- Directed staff recruitment and training, building a highly skilled and motivated operations team.
- Recruited and hired staff for organisational vacancies, ensuring consistent policy enforcement across workforce.
- Monitored staff performance, developing targeted improvement plans to enhance team effectiveness.
- (Newcastle)
DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER
Live Nation
2001.07 - 2008.02
- Collaborated with senior management to create and implement development strategies, driving profit improvement.
- Motivated and coached teams to deliver exceptional service, enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Monitored staff performance and developed improvement plans to elevate team effectiveness.
- (Grand Opera House, York)
CATERING DUTY MANAGER
Newcastle United F.C.
1997.05 - 2001.07
Education
BTEC HND -
Hotel, Catering & Business Management
BTEC OND -
Business & Finance
Institute or Leadership and Management (ILM) -
Business Development Level 5
Skills
- Facilities operations
- Facilities compliance management
- Health and safety compliance
- Health and safety training
- Budget management
- Process improvement
- Supplier relationship management
- Relationship management
- Multi-site consultancy
- Customer retention
- Microsoft Office proficiency
Accomplishments
- Created, developed, maintained, and delivered a new company wide facilities management logging and recording system., Inspiring Learning
- Project Management of facilities undertakings such as the legionella action plans., Inspiring Learning
- Redesigned and delivered a comprehensive and robust back-of-house reporting systems in finance, health and safety practices and a new team retention programme., Lincolnshire Organics
- Achieved multiple high standard success rates in various external health and safety auditing environments, including a Five Star rating by the Food Standards Authority., Lincolnshire Organics
- Maintained current and developed new business relationships with multi-national organisations within a challenging, post pandemic economic climate., Naylors Timber Recovery Ltd.
- Project Management of new business opportunities including the setting up of a new business and the development of derelict buildings to retail outlets., Naylors Timber Recovery Ltd.
- Established new business links with suppliers and sales outlets to secure new routes to market., Autism Plus
- Re-established York Barbican as the home for the televised annual UK Snooker Championships., SMG Europe
- Surpassed company forecast to become profitable within five years by breaking even within three years - built on this success in year four by regularly monitoring and adjusting expenditure against income streams., SMG Europe
Custom
- Institute or Leadership and Management (ILM) Business Development Level 5
- IOSH Health & Safety Certificate
- BTEC HND – Hotel, Catering & Business Management
- BTEC OND – Business & Finance
- First Aid
- Mental Health First Aider
- Designated Safeguarding Lead
- In-house Personal Development Programmes (Various)
Timeline
FACILITIES MANAGER
PGL Travel
2022.03 - Current
GENERAL MANAGER
Naylors Timber Recovery Ltd
2020.07 - 2022.03
GENERAL MANAGER
Lincolnshire Organics
2018.06 - 2020.07
COMMERCIAL MANAGER
Autism Plus Ltd
2015.07 - 2018.06
GENERAL/OPERATIONS MANAGER
SMG Europe
2011.03 - 2015.07
OPERATIONS MANAGER
David Lloyd Leisure
2008.02 - 2011.03
DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER
Live Nation
2001.07 - 2008.02
CATERING DUTY MANAGER
Newcastle United F.C.
1997.05 - 2001.07
BTEC HND -
Hotel, Catering & Business Management
BTEC OND -
Business & Finance
Institute or Leadership and Management (ILM) -
Business Development Level 5