Grounds Maintenance Supervisor – EXETER
The Opportunity
We are looking for a hands-on Operational Supervisor to support the delivery of multiple grounds maintenance contracts across Somerset and Dorset.
Working closely with the Contract Manager, you will lead from the front - spending time out on site with the teams, setting clear standards and getting involved in practical work where needed. You will make sure operatives understand what is expected, have the equipment and information they need, and are working safely, productively and to the required quality.
This is not a purely administrative or office-based supervisory position. The successful candidate will have a strong daily presence across the contracts, helping teams overcome practical challenges, inspecting completed work and stepping in to support delivery when required.
You will help to:
- Organise and oversee day-to-day operations across multiple sites
- Lead by example and establish clear standards for quality and productivity
- Work alongside teams when required to support delivery
- Ensure operatives have the correct equipment, materials and site information
- Identify problems early and find practical, solution-focused ways forward
- Maintain positive relationships with clients and site representatives
- Support the Contract Manager with performance, planning and contract delivery
The role will involve balancing practical site work with team supervision, quality inspections, client communication and operational reporting. You will play an important part in delivering seasonal programmes, improving productivity, identifying additional works and maintaining consistently high standards across every site.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, supervise and support grounds maintenance teams across multiple contracts
- Maintain a visible presence on site and work alongside operatives when required
- Set clear daily expectations for workload, productivity and quality
- Ensure teams understand their schedules, site requirements and work specifications
- Check that operatives have the vehicles, machinery, equipment and materials needed to complete their work
- Carry out site inspections and address quality or performance issues promptly
- Monitor schedules, completed work, productivity, compliance and contractual KPIs
- Help resolve practical site problems and prevent avoidable delays
- Ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, on time and to specification
- Assist with the recruitment, induction, training and development of operatives
- Support the Contract Manager with winter and summer work programmes
- Liaise professionally with clients and respond to operational site queries
- Identify opportunities for additional works and site improvements
- Support reporting, performance reviews and continuous improvement
- Promote high standards of health, safety, customer care and equipment management
The Person
We are looking for someone who is:
- An experienced working supervisor, team leader or senior operative ready to progress
- Willing and able to work practically alongside the teams
- Comfortable leading from the front and setting standards through their own example
- Focused on delivering both excellent quality and strong productivity
- Confident managing people and addressing performance issues constructively
- Well organised, dependable and comfortable working across multiple sites
- Practical, proactive and solution-focused
- Able to plan ahead and ensure teams have everything they need
- A strong communicator with both operatives and clients
- Keen to develop their career within contract management
Previous experience within grounds maintenance, landscaping or a similar operational environment would be highly advantageous. Experience working within a regulated or client-facing setting is also desirable.
A horticultural qualification and good IT skills would be beneficial but are not essential. Most importantly, you will be dependable, motivated and prepared to take ownership of standards across the contracts.
What Glendale Can Offer
- Competitive salary of up to £35,000
- Company vehicle for use during work
- Performance-related bonus opportunities
- Annual leave increasing with service
- Free gym membership for you and a nominated person
- Employee health cash plan
- Employee discount portal covering travel, retail, leisure and days out
- Pension scheme
- Company sick pay
- Genuine career progression opportunities
- Ongoing training and professional development
Glendale is a well-established and continually growing business. Successful applicants can look forward to joining a company that believes in investing in its people and providing genuine career prospects. The average length of service among our managers in the South is 10 years.
Closing date: 11th September 2026
About Glendale
Glendale is one of the UK’s largest green-space management service providers and has been a pioneer within the sector for nearly 35 years. We specialise in grounds maintenance, tree care and landscaping.
For more information, visit www.glendale-services.co.uk .
If you are interested in this opportunity, we recommend applying as early as possible, as interviews will be held throughout the recruitment process. If you have not received correspondence within 21 days of applying, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
