Horticulture Operational Leader

**The Opportunity**

In this role, the Operations Leader is responsible for leading a team of 10-12, focusing on improving employee capability and maintaining an environment of operational excellence by ensuring KPIs, safety and quality standards are achieved. As a natural people leader with a passion for continuous improvement, you will also enjoy the variety of working in both indoor and outdoor collaborative work environments.

At SMCT, we're about people. We're about incredible histories, breathtaking landscapes and buildings old and new. We're about amazing experiences and extraordinary food. We're about kindness, care and community. We're about the little things that make a big difference.

**The hidden gem of the south east**

SMCT is a progressive, fast-paced organisation that is dedicated to making a difference to the Victorian community. With over 300 employees across nine iconic sites in Victoria's south-east, we are a proud industry leader that is setting new sector benchmarks internationally and reimagining what could be. Our vibrant employee culture and outstanding customer satisfaction ratings are a proud reflection of our people-focused approach and our commitment excellence.

**Working with us**

We recognise that our people are our greatest asset and make it our priority to attract and retain top talent by offering excellent working conditions, competitive benefits, and development opportunities. In 2020, we received an outstanding employee engagement score of 90%, with organisational commitment and pride being the leading theme of employee sentiment.

As a valued member of our organisation, you will have access to the following:

- Supportive and people-focused culture at a purpose-driven not-for-profit
- Flexible work options, including flexible start/end times and remote work options
- Free on-site parking
- State-of-the-art facilities set among magnificent, natural surrounds
- Discounts at our award-winning café and florist, as well as our dedicated employee cafe
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program and Employee Health & Wellbeing Programs as well as leadership and development programs

It you thought you knew what working at a cemetery would be like, it's time to think again.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Provide Frontline leadership to safely and effectively deliver works/tasks assigned to the team.
- Drive continuous improvement by leading, motivating, and supporting the team.
- Lead activities relating to lifting and managing employee performance (annual reviews, setting expectations, performance improvement plans).
- Embed a safety culture through proactive leadership of the Health, Safety and Wellbeing of employees. This includes conducting new employee inductions, Safety Walk and Talks, incident reporting and managed Return to Work (RTW) outcomes.
- Lead the development of capability and skills of team members by looking for opportunities to initiate multiskilling, identifying training needs and coordinating training.
- Attend leader forums and contribute to strategic projects.
- Manage rostering and budgeting activities.
- Responsible for the staff welfare by providing for their needs and ensuring a conducive work environment for enhanced production and delivery.

***About You**
- 3-5 years' experience leading a team to achieve targets with a customer-centric approach
- Self-aware leader who can balance internal and external stakeholder needs in a confident, decisive manner
- Established understanding and operation of safe OHS practices
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and capability to influence positive change management
- Excellent work ethic with the ability to work in a fast-paced, agile environment
- Current Victorian driver's licence (competent in driving manual vehicles)

**Other Details**:

- SMCT_ is an equal opportunity employer._