Maintenance and groundsman, Nr Banbury, Oxfordshire,UK

We are looking for a reliable, practical and proactive Handyman / Groundsman to join a well-established, family-run business based in a rural location just outside Shenington.The family business has been established for approximately 25 years and operates across two successful seasonal areas: an established Swimming Pool Maintenance business, looking after a large portfolio of repeat clients, and a Christmas Tree Farm.

This is much more than a traditional grounds or maintenance position. The family are looking for someone who wants to build a long-term career within the business, learn new technical skills and gradually take on greater responsibility.

Full training will be provided, particularly within the swimming pool side of the business, so previous pool experience is not essential.

The ideal candidate will be practical and mechanically minded, with a logical approach to problem-solving. They will enjoy being hands-on, working outdoors and turning their hand to whatever needs doing.

Swimming Pool Maintenance – March to October is the busiest season.

A significant part of the role will involve training within the established swimming pool maintenance business. The company looks after a large portfolio of repeat clients, generally operating on a two-week servicing rota. Full training will be provided to enable the successful candidate to develop specialist knowledge and confidence.

Duties outlined not limited to :

• Swimming pool cleaning, servicing and routine maintenance
• Learning water testing and chemical treatment procedures
• Understanding the safe handling and use of pool chemicals
• Identifying straightforward faults and maintenance requirements
• Supporting equipment installation, servicing and repairs
• Developing technical and mechanical knowledge
• Attending clients’ properties and providing a professional service
• Building positive relationships with established repeat clients
• Keeping equipment, tools and working areas organised and maintained

The busiest swimming pool period is generally May to mid-July, when some additional flexibility may be required A work van will be provided for business use and kept at the business premises.

Christmas Tree Farm – October to December

From approximately October through December, the focus moves towards the Christmas tree side of the business. This becomes a busy operation during the festive period, with the wider seasonal team increasing to approximately 15 people on site.

Duties will include:

• Christmas tree care and general maintenance
• Supporting the harvesting and preparation of trees
• General site and grounds work
• Supporting logistics during the busy Christmas period
• Assisting with customer-facing sales when required
• Helping the wider seasonal team wherever needed

Specialist support is outsourced for some aspects of growing and managing the trees, so the successful candidate will work alongside additional contractors and seasonal staff when required.

Grounds, Handyman & Site Maintenance.

Throughout the year, the role will also involve general practical maintenance across the site, including:

• Grass cutting, hedge trimming and strimming
• Driveway, yard and general site maintenance
• Painting and decorating
• General repairs and handyman duties
• Maintaining tools, machinery and equipment
• Keeping working areas tidy, safe and well presented
• Supporting contractors and deliveries
• Operating machinery where appropriately trained
• Identifying maintenance issues and taking a proactive approach to resolving them
• Experience operating a digger or dumper would be advantageous, although training can be provided.
• A CS30 chainsaw qualification would also be beneficial. However, the business is happy to arrange this training for the right candidate.
• A spraying certificate/licence would be an additional advantage but is not essential.

Who We Are Looking For

The right personality and attitude are extremely important for this appointment.

We are particularly interested in someone who is dependable and genuinely looking for a long-term career. The business is prepared to invest significant time in training, so they would like someone who wants to learn, develop and grow with them over the coming years.

You will ideally be:

• Practical, logical and naturally hands-on
• Mechanically or technically minded
• A good problem-solver
• Hardworking and dependable
• Proactive rather than someone who waits to be given every task
• Comfortable working independently
• Equally happy working as part of a small, close-knit team
• Confident dealing politely and professionally with clients
• Happy working outdoors throughout the year
• Willing to learn specialist skills and undertake further training
• Flexible during the business’s seasonal peak periods
• Looking for stability and genuine long-term progression

Previous experience within grounds maintenance, landscaping, property maintenance, construction, engineering, mechanics, agriculture, machinery or another practical trade could all translate extremely well into this position.

Career Development

This is one of the most important aspects of the opportunity.

The business is looking for someone who can initially work alongside and support the existing team, but who has the ability and ambition to develop as their knowledge grows. For the right individual, there is excellent career progression, additional responsibility, further training and increased earning potential.

The aim is to find someone who can become a trusted and valuable long-term member of the business rather than simply filling an immediate vacancy.

What We Offer

• Paid overtime during busy seasonal periods
• Full swimming pool maintenance training
• Further qualifications and training where appropriate
• Work van provided for business use
• Varied work across two established businesses
• Opportunity to develop specialist technical skills
• Incentives and increased earning potential
• Genuine long-term career progression
• Friendly, supportive and close-knit family-business environment

Essential Requirements

• Full UK driving licence
• Own transport to reach the Shenington site
• Right to work in the UK
• Reliable, punctual and self-motivated
• Physically comfortable undertaking practical outdoor work
• Willing to work outside in varying weather conditions
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Flexibility during seasonal peak periods

Hours: Monday–Friday, with flexibility during seasonal peak periods

Salary: £36,000+ depending on experience plus over time /time in lieu

Ref: S&W#3672153