Assistant Manager, Funeral Service

Canadian Memorial Services, part of the Mount Pleasant Group, is a funeral home company operating across the Greater Toronto Area. Our success is the result of a dedicated team of professional employees who are committed to providing compassionate, caring service to each and every client, with a special focus on providing culturally sensitive service. As a community partner and environmental steward, we constantly strive to set innovative standards for our industry, guided by new trends, and advancements in technology without compromising our long-held values. We are a collection of amazing people who recognize that what they do every day is genuinely meaningful to the families we serve.

We are looking for an Assistant Manager to join our team at The Simple Alternative Toronto located at 275 Lesmill Rd in North York.

The Simple Alternative Toronto serves as a central care facility where all funeral operation transfers are coordinated. This location also handles embalming and body preparations for multiple Funeral Centres. In collaboration with the Office of the Chief Coroner, the site manages Coroner’s transfers, operating within a 24-hour cycle through rotating shifts to meet operational needs.

The duration of this contract is 18 months.

The successful candidate will be required to:

Funeral Operations

• Collaborate with the Funeral Service Manager to:
  • Provide clear work direction and guidance to staff, addressing employee relations, day-to-day administration and performance feedback.
  • Uphold and ensure exceptional client service standards by effectively organizing and supervising team members.
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, and internal policies
  • Assist in the preparation and management of the annual operating budget, monitoring expenditures, and addressing variances as needed
  • Oversee scheduling and ensure appropriate staffing levels, including maintaining vacation schedules.
  • Maintain accurate records of employee time off, ensuring adherence to organizational policies and procedures.
• Implement and enforce organizational policies, practices and procedures.
• Foster a team culture that is positive, productive, and respectful
• Plan, organize, and facilitate staff and team meetings to align operations with organizational goals
• Perform administrative tasks such as generating monthly reports and coordinating with suppliers.
• Liaise with the Office of the Chief Coroner to coordinate Coroner’s transfers efficiently.
• Provide support in the back of the facility, assisting with general operations as needed such as embalming and body preparations.

Client Service & Family Support

• Lead the team in providing empathetic and professional support to a diverse client base.
• Personally engage with family and estate representatives to:
  • Present, arrange, and provide funeral services tailored to their needs.
  • Offer guidance on ancillary bereavement products and services.
• Respond promptly and compassionately to inquiries, requests, or concerns, working to resolve matters effectively and sensitively.
• Travel between work locations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) as required.

Administration

• Ensure the accurate and timely completion of all required reports, submitting them to relevant departments as needed.
• Oversee supply inventories (e.g., caskets, urns, embalming materials, register books, and office supplies), ensuring they are maintained at appropriate levels and in excellent condition.
• Coordinate with suppliers to resolve product-related issues, special requests, and overdue orders.
• Serve as the designated representative for the Manager, Funeral Service, during their absence.
• Collaborate with the Manager to gather data and contribute recommendations for operating and capital budgets.

People Management

• Promote and maintain consistently high standards of service delivery at the funeral centre.
• Foster a fair, equitable, and inclusive work environment, ensuring adherence to policy guidelines in all interactions.
• Equip team members with the training, resources, and tools necessary for success in their roles.
• Encourage open communication, collaboration, and mutual respect to nurture a cohesive and highly engaged team environment.

Other Duties

Additional duties, and tasks that fall within the scope of the role as assigned by the Manager, Funeral Operations.

Hours/Days of Work:

Monday to Friday and 37.5 hours per week.

Hours: 8:00AM to 4:30PM

Please note: This role requires flexibility, including potential evenings and weekend shifts depending on business needs as this location operates within a 24-hour cycle.

Qualifications:

• A valid Funeral Director licence recognized by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO)
• A valid Ontario “G” driver’s licence with a clean driver’s abstract
• At least five (5) years of experience in a high volume funeral establishment
• Must consent to and pass a Criminal Background check
• Able to deal with people sensitively, diplomatically, and professionally at all times
• Familiarity with various faiths, traditions, practices and cultures
• Demonstrates financial literacy, excellent business acumen and problem-solving skills
• A good understanding of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act and other relevant legislation governing the workplace
• Focus on establishing high customer and employee satisfaction
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including tact and discretion
• Intermediate proficiency of Windows and MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook

At Mount Pleasant Group, we believe our strength is in the passion of our people, and value the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the team. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an environment where all individuals are respected, supported and can be their authentic self. We are dedicated to building an inclusive workforce that will allow us to collaborate on deeper levels and better serve the richly-diverse communities of which we are privileged to be a part. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds, experiences and identities who are equally committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Mount Pleasant Group is committed to providing equitable opportunities to all applicants and strives to ensure a barrier-free selection process. If you require accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs. Any information received related to an accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

Please include a cover letter as well as your resume as part of your application.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.