Grounds Team Leader

at  WesterleighGroup

ABOUT YOU

• Previous Team Leader / Managerial experience in a role that involves gardening e.g.: Gardening Team Leader, Grounds Team Leader, Head Gardener, Groundsperson, Grounds Maintenance, horticulture etc
• A sound understanding of cyclical grounds maintenance.
• A practical knowledge of plants and trees and a willingness to develop further horticultural skills.
• Good basic knowledge of grounds H&S including RA, COSHH, PPE, HAVs etc.
• Must be willing to undertake further training including grave digging (if applicable to the site), PA1, PA6 spraying, trailer licence
• We are looking for someone who is a real team player with the desire to make a difference every day. Organised with excellent attention to detail.
• You will need to hold a full driving licence to be able to operate some of the machinery we use (e.g. ride on mower) as well as travel to other local sites when needed.
• Desirable experience: Digger, Dumper, Tractor, Manitou licence, Basic machinery servicing
• Grave Digging ICCM / COTs / LANTRA, IOSH Managing Safely, PA1 & PA6 Spraying certificates.

ABOUT US

Westerleigh Group has been building and managing Crematoria for over 30 years and we care for over 70,000 cremations and burials every year. Our first site opened in 1992 in a village called Westerleigh, near to Bristol. We have more than 40 sites across England, Wales and Scotland with plans to continue growing with care.
We have established a reputation for creating beautifully landscaped, high quality and peaceful facilities where families can remember and celebrate the life of their loved ones. Our core objective is to deliver the highest possible standards of care in a way that is uniquely personal.
We play an active part in the local communities that we serve and in 2023 our sites raised over £400,000 to support local charitable causes and projects.
Our letters to heaven post boxes continue to capture hearts and minds. An inspirational idea from the daughter of one of our colleagues.
In 2021 Distinct Cremations was formed as part of the Westerleigh Group and caters to the direct cremation market

THE ROLE

Working at our memorial gardens, crematorium grounds and cemeteries requires a level of care and respect not found in a generic job. We offer families a sense of comfort by ensuring that we provide a beautiful setting in which they have time to reflect and remember their loved ones in a way that is uniquely personal to them.
As part of our busy central grounds team, you will work closely with colleagues and Site Managers, on the plan for the gardens and grounds across the sites that you are responsible for. You will be able to use your creativity to shape this plan and ensure that we are championing biodiversity and working towards fulfilling our ESG strategy.
You will also have managerial responsibility for the Gardening staff on the sites that you have responsibility for, ensuring that they continue to develop their skills and passing on your wisdom.

You will be responsible for overseeing all grounds maintenance activity including:

• Plan, supervise and undertake the full range of grounds duties including, lawn maintenance, hedge trimming, leaf clearance, weed control, pruning, mulching, planting, gritting & snow clearance, clearing of debris and surface water drains.
• Assisting with interments / preparation of burial plots if required. Memorial fixing.
• Oversee the onsite waste management of refuse, recycling and green waste.
• General crematorium grounds duties including memorial cleaning and the preparation of ashes plots.
• At the request of the Head of Grounds, occasionally work at any Westerleigh Group site to support absences and provide expertise.
• Deliver in house training to grounds staff at other sites as instructed by the Head of Grounds
• Undertake the full suite of grounds related H&S compliance including RA, COSHH, HAVs, and recording machinery operator hours.
• Supervise grounds contractors.
• Undertake daily machinery checks and record operator hours.
• Health and Safety compliance.

Performance Measures:

• Ensure grounds Service Level Agreements and Grounds Management Plans are adhered to as set by the Head of Grounds.
• Manage a grounds budget within agreed authorisation levels.
• Demonstrate our values and behaviours and lead a grounds team built on integrity.
• Positively engage with internal and external audiences at all opportunities.
• Provide technical grounds expertise to the Site Managers.
• Manage absence and work schedules with the Grounds Coordinator.
• Ensure full compliance with all Policies & Procedures.
• Schedule workplans to maximise safety and efficiency whilst minimising disruption.

There is the opportunity for personal development and training on areas that you need to be upskilled in or have an interest in.