Repair Workshop Manager; Fixing Factory

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…