Charlie Birchall

I have worked for the same M&E engineering company since 2010, joining as Office Manager and moving into an Operations and Compliance role as the business grew. My current role covers a wide range of areas including compliance, quality, HR, payroll, systems and general operations. A lot of my work involves taking something that needs to be done, working out what is required, getting the right people and information together and making sure it gets completed properly.

I have developed our QMS, written policies and procedures, managed compliance and accreditation requirements, supported major business changes and worked closely with engineers, directors and external advisers. I am used to dealing with confidential information, managing competing deadlines and taking responsibility for getting things over the line. I am now looking for a role where I can use this experience within a well-run organisation, ideally in operations, compliance, quality or QMS.

Operations & Compliance Manager at M&E Engineering Company (2017 – Present)

My role has grown considerably alongside the business and now covers operations, compliance, quality, HR, payroll, systems and a range of project work.

• Built the company's in-house Quality Management System from scratch, including the QMS manual, Quality Policy, procedures and registers.
• Write and update company policies and procedures and keep the supporting records up to date.
• Manage compliance and accreditation requirements, including Constructionline, SafeContractor and MCS.
• Maintain training, qualification and competence records.
• Manage risk registers and other compliance records.
• Deal with data protection, GDPR and confidentiality requirements.
• Prepare information and documentation for audits, accreditations and external reviews.
• Manage MCS certification and DNO notifications for renewable-energy installations, including G98 and G99.
• Manage the day-to-day administrative and operational processes that support the business.
• Identify where processes are not working well and make changes to improve them.
• Manage Simpro and help develop processes around its use across the business.
• Organise Simpro training and support staff with using the system.
• Maintain business records, registers and other operational documentation.
• Work with engineers, directors, office staff, suppliers and external advisers to get information and actions completed.
• Manage day-to-day HR administration, including contracts, employee records, recruitment, onboarding, holidays, absence and training.
• Manage payroll using Sage 50, including PAYE and pension administration.
• Work with external HR advisers when required.
• Maintain training and competence records and the company training matrix.
• Coordinate TUPE information and administration when employees transferred between businesses.
• Played a central role in the operational side of a major business demerger, coordinating work across payroll, pensions, TUPE, PAYE, VAT, property, vehicles, insurance and business systems.
• Worked with external advisers throughout the demerger and managed the information and documentation they required.
• Supported the setup of new companies, including payroll, pension, PAYE & VAT arrangements and the separation of systems and records.
• Coordinated the transfer of approximately 25 properties and associated records and arrangements.
• Supported the FCA application for a new regulated business, producing the compliance manual and policies and registers.

Office Manager at M&E Engineering Company (2010-07 – 2017)

Joined the business as Office Manager when it was considerably smaller and took responsibility for the day-to-day running of the office.

• Managed general office administration and supported the directors and operational teams.
• Managed employee records, recruitment administration, contracts, holidays and training.
• Managed payroll and pension administration.
• Dealt with suppliers, customers and external organisations.
• Assisted with accounts administration and VAT-related work.
• Managed company property, vehicles, insurance and other records.
• Supported the move to new premises in 2013 and the later expansion into additional space in 2020.
• Developed administrative processes and systems as the business grew.

BTEC National Diploma in Equine Management – Craven College, North Yorkshire (2003 – 2005)

8 GCSEs – Settle High School, North Yorkshire (2003)