Title: Gardener
Reports To: Head of Operations/Garden Team Leader
Location: The Manchester Crematorium, Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 7GZ
Hours: Full-Time, permanent salaried position, £26,500- £27,500 (dependant on experience) based on 40 hours per week.
Benefits: Bereavement Leave, Bonus Scheme, Uniform, on-site Parking, 20 days annual leave (increasing to 25 with service).
Role Purpose
The Manchester Crematorium Ltd is seeking an exceptional highly skilled gardener to join our grounds team. The role holder will be able to maintain the crematorium grounds, gardens and memorial areas to the highest horticultural and presentation standards, ensuring that bereaved families and visitors experience a peaceful, safe and beautifully maintained environment. The Gardener is responsible for the care and development of landscaped areas, lawns, trees, shrubs, flower beds and memorial gardens while carrying out duties with dignity, professionalism and respect.
Key Responsibilities
Grounds Maintenance
- Maintain all lawns, borders, flower beds and landscaped areas.
- Carry out mowing, edging, strimming and lawn care programmes.
- Plant and maintain seasonal bedding displays.
- Prune shrubs, hedges and trees in accordance with good horticultural practice.
- Weed, cultivate and mulch planting beds.
- Water plants and maintain irrigation systems where applicable.
- Apply fertilisers and soil conditioners when required.
- Assist in the development of new planting schemes and landscape improvements.
Memorial Gardens
- Maintain memorial gardens to an exceptionally high standard.
- Ensure memorial areas remain clean, tidy and respectful at all times.
- Prepare areas for memorial installations where required.
- Assist with the maintenance of remembrance gardens and scattering areas.
- Remove faded floral tributes sensitively and in accordance with company policy.
Estate Maintenance
- Keep all pathways, roads and public areas clean and safe.
- Remove litter from the grounds daily.
- Maintain fencing, gates and outdoor furniture where appropriate.
- Clear leaves, snow and ice from pathways when necessary.
- Assist with drainage maintenance and minor estate repairs.
Machinery & Equipment
- Operate horticultural machinery safely, including:
- Ride-on and pedestrian mowers
- Strimmers
- Hedge cutters
- Leaf blowers
- Chainsaws (where suitably qualified)
- Hand tools
- Carry out daily equipment checks.
- Report defects promptly.
- Ensure machinery is cleaned and stored correctly.
Health & Safety
- Work in accordance with Health & Safety legislation.
- Use PPE correctly at all times.
- Carry out manual handling safely.
- Follow COSHH procedures when using chemicals.
- Report hazards, accidents and near misses.
- Ensure work areas remain safe for visitors throughout the day.
Customer Care
- Recognise that the crematorium is a place of remembrance and bereavement.
- Conduct work discreetly during funeral services.
- Be courteous, respectful and professional when interacting with visitors.
- Provide assistance and directions where appropriate
Person Specification
Essential
- Experience in horticulture or grounds maintenance.
- PA1/PA6 pesticide certification
- Good plant knowledge.
- Ability to use a wide range of gardening machinery safely.
- Good physical fitness.
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Reliable and self-motivated.
- Excellent time management.
- Respectful and professional manner.
Desirable
- Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Horticulture.
- Experience working within cemeteries, crematoria or heritage sites.
- First Aid qualification.
- Knowledge of Green Flag Award standards.
Key Skills
- Horticultural knowledge
- Plant identification
- Lawn care
- Pruning techniques
- Safe machinery operation
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Organisation
- Problem solving
- Manual handling
- Health & Safety awareness
How to Apply
Please send your application and covering letter by email to [email protected]
Pay: £26,500.00-£27,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
