General Operative

Mears Group; Exeter; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Sick Pay

Life Assurance

Company pension scheme

25 days annual leave

Family friendly policies

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Share save scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Career progression opportunities

Occupational health support

Job summary

Mears Group is seeking a General Operative in Exeter to join the Repairs and Maintenance team. This hands-on role requires practical ability, customer service, and teamwork to maintain properties to a high standard.

Key duties include assisting roofers, securing access, and supporting a range of maintenance tasks. The position is permanent, full-time, with a 42.5-hour week and standard hours.

Qualifications

• Experience as General Operative, Labourer, or Property Maintenance is advantageous.
• Good written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Assist roofers with safe handling of roofing materials and equipment on site.
• Support roofing works by securing ladders and maintaining safe access and health & safety compliance.
• Carry out general maintenance and labouring tasks for day-to-day property repairs.
• Assist with clearance of occupied and void properties, removing waste and debris.
• Load, unload and move materials around sites to support work completion.
• Keep work areas clean, safe and organized and tidy up at the end of each job.

Skills

Communication skills

Health & Safety awareness

Teamwork

Flexible attitude

Job description

Annual salary: up to £28,186.33

General Operative Location: Exeter

Salary: £28,186.33

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Hours 42.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm

About the Role

We are seeking a skilled and dependable General Operative to join our Repairs and Maintenance team following a recent internal promotion. This is a hands‑on role requiring a mix of practical ability, customer service, and teamwork. You’ll be responsible for a wide range of tasks that help maintain our properties to a high standard.

Role Responsibilities

• Assisting roofers with the safe transportation, preparation, and handling of roofing materials, tools, and equipment on site.
• Supporting roofing works by securing ladders, maintaining safe access arrangements, and ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements.
• Carrying out general maintenance and labouring tasks as directed, supporting the wider team with day‑to‑day property repairs and upkeep.
• Assisting with the clearance of occupied and void properties, including the removal of waste, debris, and redundant materials.
• Loading, unloading, and moving materials safely around sites to support efficient completion of works.
• Maintaining a clean, safe, and organised working environment, ensuring work areas are left tidy and free from hazards at the end of each job.

Key Criteria

• Previous experience working in a General Operative, Labourer, or Property Maintenance role.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues, customers, and contractors.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A flexible and proactive approach to work, with a willingness to support a variety of maintenance and property‑related tasks.
• Awareness of health and safety requirements within a construction, maintenance, or property environment.

Benefits we can offer you

• Company Sick Pay
• Life Assurance (1x annual salary)
• Company pension scheme with Pensions people 5% employee and 3% employer pension contribution with People pension
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity (14 weeks full pay, 12 weeks half pay and 13 weeks statutory pay), paternity (2 weeks full pay) and adoption leave
• Employee Assistance Programme - free confidential support and counselling available
• Mears Rewards offering discounts and cashback at leading retailers including travel, household items and shopping
• Annual Mears Fun Day - Our annual Fun Day is organised as a massive thank you from the Executive team for all the hard work!
• Volunteering leave – up to two days per year to support community initiatives
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Share save scheme
• Recognition and long service awards
• Buy up to 5 days holiday each year depending on length of service
• Learning and development opportunities
• Career progression opportunities across Mears Group
• Occupational health support
• Green car scheme with Tusker after successful probation period

Eligibility and Requirements

All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK, Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship.

To drive a Mears vehicle, you must be aged over 21 have held your licence over 3 months and have less than 9 points.

Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, we are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all.

We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and are honoured to have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to coincide with this, we hold an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership, recognising our commitment to veterans transitioning into civilian careers.

In our continued effort to promote social mobility, we invite applicants to voluntarily share their background information during the application stages to help us better understand the diverse experiences of our candidates. These questions are optional and will not impact your ability to apply. We use the Social Mobility Index to assess and enhance opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Company Culture

We are the people behind the smile! At Mears we look for people who share our vision and values - to make a positive difference to the communities we serve.

We do this by improving homes, improving communities and improving lives. We are proud of our business and the opportunities we provide to colleagues working across the UK.

Our Values

Customers / Innovation / Teamwork / Responsibility