Yard Operative

Yardman 

Location: Laleham
Permanent full time position

We’re looking for a proactive and reliable Yardman to play a key role in keeping our operations running smoothly. This is a hands-on role where no two days are the same—perfect for someone who enjoys working outdoors, takes pride in organisation, and has a passion for plants and safety.

phs Greenleaf has been transforming spaces with planting and landscaping services for over 25 years. From vibrant indoor and outdoor displays to living walls, grounds maintenance and festive installations, we help businesses bring environments to life.

 

Your role as a Yardman at phs Greenleaf will involve:

• Maintaining a safe, clean and organised yard environment, ensuring full compliance with Health & Safety standards and promoting a positive safety culture.
• Managing green and general waste, including correct use and timely emptying of skips.
• Supporting planting activities, including preparing troughs and hanging baskets, and handling returned or spent materials.
• Monitoring and controlling greenhouse areas, ensuring they are well-maintained and safety compliant.
• Taking ownership of stock control, including goods in/out, storage, rotation and maintaining appropriate stock levels.
• Carrying out watering and general care of all interior and exterior plants.
• Loading and unloading vehicles and trailers and preparing equipment and materials for daily operations (including seasonal peaks such as Christmas).
• Operating yard equipment such as a telehandler, completing all required pre-use checks and documentation.
• Supervising third-party contractors on site where required.
• Supporting preventative maintenance programmes and routine inspections to ensure equipment and facilities remain compliant.
• Reporting Health & Safety concerns, near misses and supporting weekly compliance activities (e.g. Yellow Rules) with the Operations Manager.
• Acting as a Fire Marshal and First Aider, and consistently upholding safe working practices.

 

The ideal candidate will have:

• A good knowledge of horticulture and plant care
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work well with others
• A flexible, proactive “can-do” attitude
• Good physical fitness for a hands-on, active role
• A Telehandler Licence (desirable but not essential)
• Full UK Manual Driving Licence (held 12+ months)
• Maximum 6 points (no DR/DD/CD/TT/IN/AC endorsements in last 5 years)

In return for your commitment and expertise as a Yardman at phs Greenleaf:

• 40-hour working week Monday to Friday, with no scheduled weekend working
• Salary of £27,493
• 13 paydays per year (Every 4 weeks)
• 31 days inclusive of bank/public holidays. We do not work on Christmas Day
• Regular overtime opportunities
• Ongoing career development opportunities
• Other benefits include excellent discounts with phs Perks at major retailers and supermarkets; life assurance, pension, a 24-hour wellbeing helpline and more

 

If you are passionate about plants, we want to hear from you – Apply Now.

About us

Part of the phs Group, phs Greenleaf supplies over 8,000 customers in a range of sectors with high quality horticultural services, including hospitality and leisure venues, retail spaces, public buildings, commercial premises and even Buckingham Palace. phs Greenleaf holds a Royal Warrant – the mark of recognition for those who have supplied goods and services to the royal household for at least five years. Since 2010, phs Greenleaf has held a Royal Warrant for the installation and maintenance of plant displays in Buckingham Palace.

 

As well as supplying and installing everything from potted plants to live trees, phs Greenleaf’s experienced and knowledgeable team will also conduct regular maintenance visits on site to tend to the plants installed.

 

phs Greenleaf also supplies more than 2,500 decorated Christmas trees each year to organisations across the country. Its specialist Christmas production team spend most of the year decorating artificial trees in preparation for the festive season, while Greenleaf’s real trees are harvested at a sustainable farm in the Midlands. Each tree is available in a wide range of sizes – from a standard 7ft tree to as high as 30ft tall alongside the 3ft tabletop tree, decorative wreaths, garlands and floral arrangements.

 

www.phsgreenleaf.co.uk

 

At phs, we pride ourselves on our diverse workforce, and ensuring we have an inclusive environment for all our staff. We remain committed to ensuring our teams can bring their true selves to work without risk or fear of discrimination