Mortuary jobs

Job Title : Shift Manager

Salary: £38,000 per annum

Location: York

Hours: 40 hours per week

We are the Pure Group, and we’re looking for a dedicated Shift Manager to join our team in York. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who leads by example, takes pride in their work, and is passionate delivering first-class service every time.

About Us

The Pure Group was founded to disrupt the market with our mission to help families rest easy by giving them the freedom to choose how to celebrate their life.

We are now the UK’s leading provider of later-life and end-of-life planning services. FCA regulated, financially secure and continuing to grow, we’re investing in our people, technology and services to keep raising the standard.

But our purpose remains simple: to support families with dignity, care and compassion when they need it most.

Our values guide everything we do: Care Deeply. Take Accountability. Never Settle.

Job purpose

The role of Shift Manager is to execute daily transport schedules and mortuary workflows safely, whilst managing real-time staff performance, training and wellbeing in strict compliance with company guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

1.Shift-Specific Handover and Execution

• For the Early Shift (6:00 AM – 2:30 PM):
• Pre-Launch Checks (6:00 AM – 8:00 AM): Ensure the 5 Scheduled Transit Customs and 4 VW T-Rocs are fully road worthy, presentable, fuelled and stocked with the correct equipment.
• Morning Rollout: Co-ordinate the safe and punctual departure of the Scheduled, Reactive Crews and Ashes Return Specialists.
• Daily Allocations: Manage any immediate morning staff sickness, arranging emergency shift cover and re-allocating backup crews as required.
• Mortuary Induction: Brief the incoming Mortuary/Transfer Assistants at 8:30 AM on the day's priority transfers.
• For the Late Shift (2:00 PM – 10:30 PM):
• Midday Handover (2:00 PM): Conduct a formal, structured handover with the departing Early Shift Manager to review ongoing issues, fleet status and urgent tasks.
• Afternoon Returns: Manage and complete a full drivers de-brief for all Scheduled Ambulances and Ashes Return vehicles. Logging mileage, securing keys and reporting any fleet damage.
• Decontamination Oversight: Oversee the deep cleaning and clinical sanitisation of returning vehicles.
• Evening Returns: Manage and complete a full drivers de-brief for all Reactive Ambulances crews (Days) Logging mileage, securing keys and reporting any fleet damage.
• Night Crew Briefing: Punctually brief and dispatch the incoming Reactive Night Crew at 8:00 PM, ensuring they are fully equipped for overnight tasks.
• Lock-up: Secure the physical site, mortuary and fleet keys at 10:30 PM.

2. HR, People and Performance Management

• Attendance and Time Tracking: Monitor real-time attendance, punctuality, and compliance with shift times. Approve timesheets and log any unauthorised absences or lateness.
• Sickness and Absence Management: Conduct Return-to-Work (RTW) interviews following staff sickness, ensuring all documentation is completed and filed in line with company HR policy.
• Performance and Conduct: Address minor performance issues or behavioural infractions on-shift through informal coaching and discussions. Document these interventions and escalate formal disciplinary matters to the Site Manager.
• Onboarding and Training: Co-ordinate on the job training, mentoring and practical inductions for new ambulance crews and mortuary staff, signing off on basic competencies (e.g., manual handling, vehicle checking).
• Staff Welfare and Wellbeing: Act as the first point of contact for staff welfare. Lead debrief sessions after emotionally challenging or complex deceased transfers, actively promoting a supportive and resilient team environment.

3. Transport and Fleet Co-ordination

• Monitor active vehicle trackers and live schedules to troubleshoot transit delays, road closures, or operational bottlenecks.
• Ensure all drivers carry out their mandatory pre-drive vehicle checks, reporting and logging any defects immediately.
• Authorise and schedule urgent ad-hoc servicing or tyre replacements with local partners to maintain maximum fleet uptime.

4. Mortuary Operations and Chain of Custody

• Oversee the Mortuary/Transfer Assistants and Ashes Return Specialists, ensuring absolute compliance with identity verification and tracking protocols.
• Supervise the safe storage and movement of the deceased within the mortuary facility.
• Ensure all paperwork and ashes return logs are double-checked, completely error-free and compliant before any release or transport.

5. Health, Safety and Infection Control

• Act as the on-site "Responsible Person" during shift hours for all health, safety and infection control matters.
• Monitor staff to ensure correct manual handling techniques are used during complex transfers or ready to assist when necessary.
• Oversee the safe disposal of clinical waste and the maintenance of sterile environments across both vehicles and the mortuary.

Candidate Profile

Experience and Qualifications

• Logistics/Transport Experience: Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience in a fast-paced transport, dispatch or emergency service environment.
• Care Sector Exposure: Experience within the funeral, private ambulance or healthcare sector is highly advantageous.
• Basic HR/People Management: Proven experience conducting return-to-work interviews, managing shift rotas and handling staff disputes or performance coaching.
• Manual Handling Competency: Certified in (or willing to be trained in) advanced manual handling and dynamic risk assessments.
• Driving Licence: Clean, valid UK driving licence.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Outstanding Communication: The ability to run clear, structured handovers, deliver constructive feedback and keep multiple field-based teams aligned.
• Decisive Leadership: Comfortable making fast, logical decisions on route deviations, vehicle breakdowns or staff sickness.
• Empathy and Active Listening: A highly supportive approach to staff welfare, understanding the unique mental and emotional demands placed on crews handling deceased care.
• Respect and Professionalism: An innate understanding of the sensitive nature of deceased care, projecting calm, respectful authority always.

Our Benefits

• 30 days’ holiday, plus bank holidays – giving you more time to switch off and recharge
• Bupa Health Cash Plan to help with everyday healthcare costs
• Discounted gym membership and a Cycle to Work Scheme to support your health and wellbeing
• A comprehensive induction and access to our Learning and Development Academy to help you grow
• Enhanced family-friendly benefits to support you through life’s important moments
• 24/7 confidential support through our Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance for added peace of mind
• A Company Pension, with a SMART Pension option

We are entering an exciting phase of growth and investment. Backed by experienced private equity partners and underpinned by a strong financial position, we are continuing to expand our services, invest in innovation, and attract exceptional people who share our ambition. Join us and you'll become part of a purpose-driven organisation that is transforming our sector while never losing sight of what matters most - supporting families with care, dignity and respect.

Please note, we may need to undertake a vetting process through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or Disclosure Scotland on new employees, dependent on requirement.

All gaps in your CV must be disclosed. We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Equal Opportunities

The Pure Group strives to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds — regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief.

We celebrate difference because we believe it enriches our work and strengthens the way we support one another. If you need any additional support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please contact us on 07469 400065 or email us at hr.recruitment@purecremation.co.uk

Work Location: In person