Repair Workshop Manager (Fixing Factory)

Location: This role will be split between two Fixing Factory sites located in Barking and Victoria
Hours: Part-time, 4-4.5 days per week
Working pattern: Exact hours will be agreed with the successful candidate, but at least one weekend day will be required
Compensation: £31,945 per annum (pro-rata)
Contract: 12 months

What is a Fixing Factory?

Fixing Factories do what they say on the tin! We help people fix their broken electricals and learn new fixing skills, shifting us from our current take-make-waste linear system towards a repair economy fit for the future. They generate public interest in repair. Through a series of stepping stone activities, we take people from never having looked inside an electrical item towards, if they wish, fixing for others.

The Fixing Factories is a partnership between The Restart Project and Possible, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. It launched in April 2022 and we currently have three operational sites across London in Camden, Haringey and Hackney.

Each new Fixing Factory site grows and nurtures a community of repairers, is strongly linked with local residents and stakeholders, and is driven by engaged teams of volunteers. There is a range of offers; from free community repair events to paid workshops and retail - as we develop a replicable model which will support our long term goal of ‘a Fixing Factory on every high street’.

About the role

Passionate about repair? Love working in the community to help people embrace low-waste lifestyles? Ready to manage a team of volunteers to get our latest Fixing Factory locations up and running? We want to hear from you!

As one of our Fixing Factory workshop managers, you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day operations of our two newest Fixing Factory sites, helping members of the public to fix their broken items, and managing a successful team of volunteers and freelancers to support along the way.

You’ll deliver a programme of activities to teach people the basics of repair and change their mindset around electronic waste. The two new sites will be trialling a scaled-back Fixing Factory model compared to our other three sites, so you’ll be a key part of developing and iterating a new way of delivering a Fixing Factory.

The two new sites will be in shared spaces with other community organisations. A key part of this role will be to build and maintain positive relationships with others managing and using the spaces.

You will split your time between the two new Fixing Factory locations, working remotely with a passionate Fixing Factory team, including workshop managers for other sites, and a central development and project management team. You’ll also work closely with Possible, our partner on the Fixing Factories project.

If you’re a fixer with the skills and enthusiasm to manage a welcoming, safe, and impactful repair hub, this is the role for you!

Key responsibilities

Activity and delivery

• Take responsibility for overseeing on-site repairs at the two Fixing Factory locations, ensuring they are completed safely, effectively, and to a consistent standard.
• Deliver a regular programme of activities at the two sites, including community drop-in repair sessions, workshops for the general public, and sessions for volunteers to repair damaged electronic goods.
• Work with the Fixing Factory Lead to make changes in response to feedback and project needs.
• Participate in the necessary training needed for the role.
• Take responsibility for ensuring health and safety, safeguarding, and first aid protocols are implemented and adhered to at the two sites at all times.
• Ensure activities provide an inclusive and pleasant environment for staff, volunteers, and members of the public.
• Implement processes to manage the inventory of equipment, consumables, spares, and repaired items at the Fixing Factory.
• Ensure workshop, tools, and equipment are maintained and well organised.

Volunteer management

• Help build a volunteer community at both sites that feels empowered to take the lead on the delivery of some of the core Fixing Factory activities.
• Supervise Fixing Factory volunteers and freelancers, including leading volunteer inductions, regular work and wellbeing check-ins, volunteer team meetings, and celebrations with support from the Fixing Factory Lead.
• Create an open, welcoming, inclusive environment for volunteers, whilst encouraging collaboration and skill sharing.
• Ensure there is a sufficient and growing pipeline of volunteers and freelancers, including leading recruitment for specific roles to run core Fixing Factory activities.

Relationship management

• Build and maintain positive relationships with local stakeholders, including the managers and users of both shared sites, members of the public, local repair businesses, local authorities, volunteers, and community fixing initiatives, with support from the Fixing Factory Lead.
• Maintain an open and honest line of communication with the Fixing Factory Lead, other workshop managers, operational group, and Possible colleagues.

Monitoring and evaluation

• Collect and train volunteers to collect monitoring and evaluation data related to the Fixing Factories with support from the Fixing Factory Lead.

Income generation

• Work with the Fixing Factory Lead to track and grow onsite income-generating activities to ensure that the shop meets its objectives for financial sustainability. This includes overseeing:
  • Paid workshops and training sessions, including generating bookings from the public
  • Potential for small-scale sales of refurbished items
  • Encouraging donations during the delivery of core activities

Finance management

• Follow agreed Fixing Factory finance processes, including correct and timely categorisation of regular project income and expenditure (training will be provided) with support from Fixing Factory Lead.
• Manage your Fixing Factory locations' day-to-day site finances: petty cash, buying materials, workshop consumables, and reimbursing volunteers' expenses.

Communications

• Respond to enquiries about your Fixing Factory sites via email with support from the Fixing Factory Lead.
• Update the Fixing Factory website, Eventbrite, and Ticket Tailor booking systems for events with support from the Fixing Factory Lead and Possible comms team (training will be provided if needed).
• Publicise workshop activities and off-site events locally with support from the Fixing Factory Lead.
• Respond to press and comms requests when needed (for example, providing quotes or facilitating visits from journalists). This does not necessitate acting as a ‘live’ press spokesperson unless you are comfortable with this.
• Where requested, facilitate comms team interactions with your Fixing Factory volunteers, including requests for interviews and comms training requirements, with support from the Fixing Factory Lead when needed.

Organisational and partner involvement

• Attend monthly workshop manager meetings, weekly team meetings, monthly 1:1s, local partners group meetings, and any other meetings requested that contribute to the effective running of Fixing Factories.
• Represent Restart at public events and meetings where appropriate.
• Participate in organisational strategy development and reviews.
• Be a team player: skill sharing, chipping in on communal tasks, and helping each other out.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• You are able to repair electrical items independently, confidently, safely, and quickly, or you demonstrate an understanding of electrical knowledge with the ability to learn how to repair electrical items quickly - this will include changing plugs and repairing items such as toasters, kettles, and power leads
• You have a strong commitment to safety and wellbeing - we have some golden rules to keep everyone healthy and safe - especially around electricity - you will be the guardian of these and be able to recognise and call out when you spot unsafe working practices
• Passion for teaching others how to repair - you have experience teaching others to repair, or you are keen to learn
• Proven excellent time and task management - you’re highly organised, enjoy implementing processes and systems to maximise efficiency, and are target-driven
• Proven to be focused and meticulous when recording information - you’re a stickler for detail and understand the importance of keeping accurate records up to date on a timely basis for successful project delivery
• Experience working in and with the community, including outside of normal working hours - you find this more rewarding than challenging, making time for whoever walks through the door, as well as being able to work regular weekend and evening hours
• Demonstrable excellent in-person communication skills - and the ability to interact with and manage members of the public, volunteers, and other stakeholders in a variety of practical scenarios
• Experience and ability to work well as a team member and respond well to feedback - both in person, onsite, and through contributions to the wider Fixing Factories partnership development. This project is going to be heavily influenced by the needs of the local community, so you need to be open to receiving regular feedback
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and use own initiative - as well as being part of a team and working to a project plan, you have the ability to put your own mark on the new Fixing Factories
• Commitment to The Restart Project’s mission and an interest in sustainability or technology

Great-to-haves

• Experience overseeing a site-based project - this could be anything from a community garden to managing elements of a charity shop
• Experience facilitating successful volunteer-based projects - and an understanding of how to retain and strengthen volunteer engagement in community initiatives
• Experience leading a group to deliver an activity
• Excellent written communication skills - you will have some experience of responding to email enquiries and be able to provide short quotes and copy for promoting Fixing Factory activities locally

What We Offer

• Employer pension contributions of 8%
• 28 days paid holiday (pro-rata) plus bank holidays, and additional days between Christmas and the New Year when the office is closed
• A shorter working week, in which employees work 90% of their paid hours, once probation is passed. This is reviewed on an annual basis.
• Scope to take real ownership and drive the project forward
• A commitment to professional development with training opportunities
• We provide the chance to make a difference in a fun, eclectic, and creative atmosphere, where work can move quickly and not be hampered by bureaucracy. Read more about why it’s great to work at Restart

We welcome applications from individuals who do not meet all of the criteria laid out in the person specification but demonstrate a willingness to learn the skills they do not have yet.

We can only accept applications from people eligible to work in the UK.

Role funded by The National Lottery Community Fund