Operations Leader

Vacancy Introduction

Come and join our team!

We are looking for an Operations Leader to guide and support our funeral hubs and branches. This is a key leadership role for colleagues who want to continue their career in Funeral, taking on greater responsibility for people, facilities, vehicles, and the delivery of services. For those who know the funeral profession, it’s a natural progression — combining leadership, care for colleagues, and commitment to client service.

Want to know more? Take a look at our job description for the role here.

Our working patterns are non-contractual. Any advertised working pattern represents the normal working pattern for the role at time of advertisement and may be subject to change.

What you’ll be doing

As an Operations Leader, you’ll lead and develop a team of Funeral Arrangers, Funeral Directors and Funeral Operatives across your designated hub. You’ll be responsible for ensuring that services are delivered to the highest standards of care, professionalism, and community focus.

From managing budgets and ensuring compliance, through to coaching colleagues and fostering a supportive, inclusive culture, you’ll balance operational performance with empathy and people leadership. You’ll also play a key role in maintaining facilities and vehicles, safeguarding colleague wellbeing, and building trusted relationships with families and communities.

The person we are looking for 

• Proven experience managing operational teams and delivering against performance targets
• A strong leader who can motivate, coach, and develop colleagues in a sensitive environment
• Commercial awareness, with experience in budget management and resource allocation
• A clear communicator who can build trust with colleagues, clients, and external partners
• Adaptable and resilient, able to balance operational demands with people leadership
• Full UK driving licence (essential)

Perks of the job

At the East of England Co-op, we strive to be the best place to work. We invest in our colleagues to help them to progress in their careers and achieve their full potential. How do we do this?  

• Competitive rates of pay
• 20% discount in our food stores, along with other discounts across our family of businesses
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holiday entitlement) which increases with service
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Death in service benefit
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements*
• Opportunities to grow, with award-winning training and apprenticeship programmes
• Great discounts, deals, and cashback across over 900 high street and online retailers
• Financial wellbeing support, including Wagestream®
• Access to Cycle To Work, Rental Deposit Scheme, and SmartTech (after a qualifying period)
• Employee Recognition Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Free remote GP service, available 24/7, including prescription, fitness, nutrition, and counselling services
• Employee Assistance Programme

Check out the detail of all our colleague benefits here.

We recognise the challenges people face trying to balance commitments both in and out of the workplace - perhaps studying, caring commitments, or other employment. We therefore aim to be as flexible as possible, to create shift patterns that work for both our co-op and our colleagues.

* Enhanced on statutory terms, subject to service criteria.