At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and supervise teams to maintain clean and welcoming public spaces.
- Company: Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, dedicated to community service.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, health care options, and flexible working.
- Other info: Hybrid working culture with great learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in environmental fields and team supervision required.
The predicted salary is between 37280 - 44075 € per year.
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
Address: Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 5AT
Salary: £37,280 - £44,075 per annum
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
This role is open to full time, part time, and job share applications, all of which will be assessed equally.
Join our team
We are looking for an Operations Team Leader to join our Public Realm team. If you share our values and are motivated to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities, whilst ensuring that the Operations Team delivers a first-class service, we would love to hear from you.
About the role
Working mainly from our depot in Stowmarket, you will carry out daily supervision of the Grounds Maintenance and Street Cleansing teams to ensure that our districts are maintained to a high standard, are clean and welcoming and meet the needs and expectations of the local community, stakeholders, and visitors. Working with the Operations Officer you will plan, organise and distribute the work of the operational teams to ensure that due consideration is given to health and safety during all grounds and streets operations. Not only will you support the provision of and maintaining of grounds and open spaces, playing fields, shrub beds, trees, hedges, ditching and grassland, you will be crucial in ensuring an efficient street cleansing service is delivered across the districts. This includes street sweeping, litter picking and bin emptying. You will monitor and provide quality control for all operations ensuring they achieve high standards. You will also carry out health and safety, uniform, and vehicle spot checks amongst the team to ensure satisfactory standards are maintained. This is an exciting and diverse role requiring you to work closely with other Public Realm Officers across Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils to provide a seamless service, sharing resources to optimise the skills and experience of the team to deliver project outcomes. A Full UK driving licence with C1 +E entitlement is essential for this role.
About you
Organised, efficient and an effective communicator you will play an integral part in delivering a Public Realm Operations service to exceed expectations. You will need vocational experience in an environmental field such as cleansing, grounds maintenance or horticulture. With a background in supervising a team of manual workers in a comparable operational environment, you will demonstrate experience of training others, ensuring a safety-first mind-set and using technology and equipment to continue improving our standards and efficiency. Able to build rapport quickly, you will have the knowledge to supervise a diverse operational team. You will be competent in the use of IT and have a proven ability to problem solve and make day-to-day decisions about your own workload, and that of others. These skills, combined with real attention to detail and a communicative nature, will see the team deliver a friendly, user-focused service. Some weekend working and out of hours emergency response handling will be a feature of this role.
About us
At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils we are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in. We serve around 200,000 residents across our two districts and are well known for our collaboration and partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors. We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work.
- 60 conservation areas
- Two National Landscapes
- Many picturesque market towns
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years)
- Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
- Wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs
- Private Health Care Options
- Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
- Paid volunteering days
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (Business needs permitting)
- Great learning and development opportunities
Our working culture
We believe work is what we do, not just where we go. We work in a hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (Business need permitting). Our hybrid working arrangements support flexibility and collaboration, helping our teams to thrive. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, providing opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible services for our residents.
For more information
For an informal discussion or to learn more about hybrid working for this role, please contact Matthew Chittock by either calling or emailing.
Please read the Job Description and Person Specification (pdf) before applying for this job opportunity.
Closing date: 5pm, 17 September 2025.
Please ensure your application form is fully completed, including employment and education history. Your supporting statement clearly addresses how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
Operations Team Leader, STOWMARKET employer: Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, generous leave entitlements, and opportunities for professional development, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact in the community. Our hybrid working arrangements promote flexibility, allowing you to balance your personal and professional life while contributing to the beautification and maintenance of our picturesque districts.
Contact Detail:
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Team Leader, STOWMARKET
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend local events, and connect with current employees at Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the councils' values and recent projects. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for making a difference in the community and how your experience aligns with the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions, especially those related to team leadership and operational management. We want to see how you handle challenges and ensure high standards in service delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission of building vibrant communities.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Team Leader, STOWMARKET
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’ll help you understand what we’re looking for in an Operations Team Leader and how you can showcase your skills to match our needs.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure your supporting statement is spot on! Address how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification directly. We want to see how your experience aligns with what we do, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out your application form, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Operations Team Leader role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities, such as supervising grounds maintenance and street cleansing teams. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in supervising teams, especially in an operational environment. Share specific examples of how you've trained others and ensured safety standards. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively in this role.
✨Emphasise Communication and Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with other Public Realm Officers, highlight your communication skills. Talk about times when you've successfully collaborated with diverse teams to achieve project outcomes, showcasing your ability to build rapport quickly.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think of scenarios where you've had to make quick decisions regarding workload or team management. This will show that you're ready to handle the dynamic nature of the job.
