funeral service manager

Please note all positions within Funeralcare can involve direct physical contact with the deceased as part of normal duties - the amount of contact will differ dependant on role applied for. Typical duties include but are not limited to preparation, transportation, and personal care of the deceased to be carried out with professionalism, dignity, respect and adherence to health and safety standards. Please carefully consider your comfort levels with these responsibilities before applying. We're looking for a funeral service manager to join the Co-op Funeralcare team and help our colleagues to deliver the best possible service to our clients. If you can bring amazing people skills combined with real commercial focus, we can offer you the opportunity to make a difference. As a funeral service manager you'll work with colleagues at all levels, covering between 7 and 15 funeral homes in your region. We'll look to you to build great relationships, set standards for care and adherence to regulatory compliance, and oversee funeral services and processes to make sure we're consistently delivering to the highest possible standards. What you'll do

• lead and coach a team of funeral directors and arrangers across your region
• build strong and effective relationships with colleagues in your area to drive a consistently high standard of funeral service to our clients
• inspire your teams to focus on achieving the highest possible standards of client care in line with business and commercial objectives
• analyse and review management information to spot opportunities and drive continuous improvement and consistency across the wider business
• take an active role in the community; building relationships with other Co-op businesses and external organisations to promote our services and bring our communities together
• make sure 'certified colleagues' are fully supported in reaching and maintaining the required levels of competency for operating in a regulated environment
• make sure 'non-certified' colleagues are operating within regulatory guidelines and processes
• manage resources across the area, make sure there's funeral plan arrangement cover in the homes where there are no trained colleagues
• take responsibility for any client complaints and issues
• carry out inspections of funeral homes to make sure standards are met and premises are always immaculate and presentable and in line with risk, health and safety standards
This role will suit people who have
• real commercial focus and the ability to spot opportunities and trends
• excellent organisational skills and attention to detail to make sure regulatory policies and processes are always adhered to
• confidence communicating and presenting to all kinds of people, If you're successful in your application, we'll perform some background checks as part of our pre-employment screening process. These will include a DBS (disclosure and barring service) and adverse media checks, and an occupational health questionnaire (to ensure you are fit to perform the role). We'll also seek regulatory references and check your social media activity on platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
In this role you'll work under FCA regulation - we'll provide you with all the training you need to become a 'certified colleague'. To make sure you're eligible to advise clients on 'pre-need' funeral plans as a 'certified colleague', we'll perform FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) and financial integrity checks. These aim to identify financial sanctions such as CCJs (county court judgements) or bankruptcy. Your credit score will not be checked as part of this process. Any offer of employment made will be conditional upon the completion of pre-employment screening checks. Apply, Our Funeral Service Crew help with the funeral and care for the deceased. You'll work closely with your team to provide a seamless, sensitive service. And you don't need experience - just a full UK driver's licence. We'll give you all the support you need to help build your career with Co-op Funeralcare. Our Funeral Arrangers are the first point of contact for clients. They get to know clients' needs and help them plan their funeral. You'll need empathy and great customer service skills because your clients will look to you for help, support and advice. We'll teach you everything else you need to do the job through our training and support. As a Funeral Director, you'll spend most of your time with families, supporting them through the funeral arrangements. You'll manage your own time and build strong, trusting relationships. We'll give you all the support and training you need to develop your team and deliver a thoughtful service that works for our clients, and our business. Here, you'll discover job satisfaction you never thought possible. These are management roles. Our Care Logistics Managers focus on the co-ordination of funerals and the line management of operational teams, making sure all resources are in the right place at the right time. Funeral Services Managers look after multiple branches, making sure funeral services are consistently delivered to the highest possible standards. Becoming an Embalmer isn't a common career choice, but it is an incredibly rewarding one. Embalmers help preserve and restore deceased people, creating a peaceful and lasting image for their family and friends. It's a highly skilled and technical role, for which you need an official BIE qualification. If don't hold this qualification, you can enrol on our embalmer apprenticeship. Our apprenticeships are open to everyone. As a Level 2 Funeral Team Member, you'll develop your funeral arranging skills, learning how to deliver them with care and compassion. At Level 3, you can learn how to become a funeral director. Or you can become an embalmer with our Level 5 Embalmer programme, or progress to managerial roles with our degree apprenticeships. There are all kinds of ways you can progress in this role. Find out more on our apprentice hub.


• the ability to coach and mentor teams across multiple locations
• great relationship building and customer service skills
• the ability to communicate professionally and sensitively with clients and at a difficult time in their lives
• an open mind when it comes to working around and coming into contact with the deceased
• a UK manual driving licence
Why Co-op?

At Co-op Funeralcare, we're proud to support people during their most difficult moments. This can be emotional work. But it's also incredibly rewarding. Our Funeralcare colleagues work together to offer care and support to people experiencing grief. Whether you're a Funeral Arranger, Funeral Director or part of our Funeral Service Crew, you'll need to be compassionate and dedicated to helping others. Your empathy and sensitivity will not only aid people in their time of need, but also help you to build a deeply fulfilling career.Our culture Smiling at work is easy when you see the difference you make. And our funeralcare colleagues take pride in positively impacting our communities At Co-op you'll be welcomed and included, cared for inside and outside of work, and empowered by supportive leaders. We're all in this together and at Co-op, we always look out for each other. We'll do all we can to help you create a great work/life balance. If you experience abuse or harassment in the workplace, we'll support you. Your manager won't solve all your problems, but they'll understand and empower you.

At Co-op, we're owned by our members. And because we're owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you're not just taking a job, you're joining a movement. We're an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we're powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you'll also receive:
• competitive salary
• coaching, training and support to help you develop
• pension with up to 10% employer contributions
• annual incentive scheme
• 28 days holiday (increasing with service)
• discounts on Co-op products and services
Building an inclusive work environment We're building diverse and inclusive teams that reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues can feel like they belong, supported by our inclusive policies and the ways we work.,
• Holidays starting from 31 days holiday per year (includes bank holidays)
• 30% off Co-op branded products in our food stores
• Pension with up to 10% employer contributions
• Wagestream - a money management app that gives you access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it
• Services to support your physical, mental and financial wellbeing
• Flexibility - we'll aim to find a working pattern that fits your life
• Endless career development opportunities including apprenticeships
Success profile What makes a successful member of our team? Check out the top traits we're looking for and see if you have the right mix.
• Forging Relationships
• Co-operation
• Teamwork
• Empathy
• Compassion
• Speaking Up