A day in the life: Facilities, Engineering & Sustainability Manager Patrick O'Sullivan

At PHX Ireland, our Day in the Life series shines a light on our people who keep our business moving — from the warehouse floor to senior management. This month, we caught up with Patrick O’Sullivan, Facilities, Engineering & Sustainability Manager at United Drug, to learn more about his role, daily routine, and what drives his passion for sustainability and operational excellence.

1.      How would you summarise your role in the business?

I’m the Facilities, Engineering and Sustainability Manager at United Drug, where I’m focused on making our operations more sustainable and environmentally responsible. With a background in facilities management and electrical services, I’m passionate about finding practical ways to reduce our impact while keeping things running efficiently.

2.      Before coming to work, what does your morning look like?

I’m up at 5 every morning — quick cup of Barry’s tea, then straight to the gym for an hour’s session. After that, it’s home to get ready for the day, rally the two boys, get them fed and dressed, and then hit the road for work.

3.      When you arrive to work, how do you kickstart your day?

Once I’m in, I log onto our CMMS (Shire) and check the mailboxes to make sure there were no incidents overnight or in the early hours.

4.      On your journey home, do you listen to podcasts, music or are you enjoying some peace and quiet? If so, which podcast/song?

Spotify playlist. Mix between Creedance Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, The Who, ZZ Top, Black Sabbath etc.

5.      What’s your favourite aspect of your job?

The variability, you never know what will greet you each day in Facilities or Sustainability.

6.      What is one thing you wish you could have told your younger self before embarking on your chosen career path?

I’d tell my younger self to be patient and trust the process. Starting out as an electrician, I was focused on the hands-on work and getting the job done. I didn’t realise how those early experiences would build the foundation for where I am now, managing facilities and leading sustainability initiatives. Every wire pulled and system fixed was a step toward understanding the bigger picture. I’d remind myself that technical skills open doors, but curiosity and adaptability keep them open.

7.      Can you share one piece of advice for a new starter about to join the business?

Take every opportunity to learn from the people around you. The technical side is important but building relationships and understanding how the business works will take you further than you think.

How does living our Inclusive value make a difference in the way you approach your work?

For me, living our inclusive value means making sure every space works for everyone. From a facilities management perspective, that’s about maintaining environments that are safe, accessible, and comfortable for people of all abilities. Whether it’s improving building layouts, adapting equipment, or thinking about how people move through a space, inclusion is always part of the plan. It’s not just about compliance, it’s about creating workplaces where everyone can do their best work and feel they belong.