Cemetery Sales & Operations Manager

Job Description

Job Description

This is a, multifaceted leadership position. To succeed, you must function as the "CEO of the three Cemeteries in North Bergen New Jersey," seamlessly transitioning from the emotional intelligence required for family consultations to the cold, operational efficiency required to run a crematory and manage a large-scale landscape.

Executive Profile: Cemetery Sales & Operations Manager

You are not merely managing a property; you are protecting a brand and a legacy. You are the final point of contact for families during their most vulnerable moments, and you are the architect of the environment that honors their loved ones.

1. Sales & Community Stewardship

While this is a "sales-first" role, it is defined by Consultative Advocacy , not transactional pressure.

• Funeral Home Relations: You are the primary liaison for local funeral directors. Your reputation dictates your referral flow. You must build strategic partnerships that make our properties the "first choice" for their client families.
• Family Advocacy: You lead the sales team by example. You must be able to sit with families, assess their emotional and financial needs, and provide clear, compassionate solutions regarding interment, memorialization, and pre-planning.
• Business Development: You identify opportunities to grow market share within the North Bergen community through networking, educational outreach, and maintaining a visible, trustworthy presence.

2. Operational Mastery: The Crematory & Grounds

Precision and compliance are your bottom line. You are responsible for the physical and regulatory integrity of the site.

• Crematory Oversight: You hold ultimate responsibility for the crematory’s performance. This includes strict adherence to environmental regulations, meticulous record-keeping, maintenance of high-heat equipment, and ensuring that every single operation is performed with absolute reverence and dignity.
• Grounds Excellence: Your standard of care for the landscape is the visual representation of your professional pride. You oversee landscape crews, seasonal maintenance, and capital improvement projects. Whether it is a routine mowing cycle or a complex drainage issue, the property must be "show-ready" 365 days a year.

3. People Leadership: Culture & Performance

Managing people in a cemetery environment requires a unique balance of firm management and emotional grounding. * The "Front-of-House" vs. "Back-of-House" dynamic: You must harmonize two different cultures—the polished, professional sales/administrative staff and the rugged, technical grounds/crematory crew. You are the bridge between them.

• High-Touch Coaching: You are not a remote manager. You are in the trenches. You will coach your team on how to handle difficult family interactions, how to de-escalate emotional situations, and how to maintain focus when performing tasks that are inherently somber.
• Accountability & Standards: You set the pace. You establish the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for everything from burial deepness and marker placement to crematory chains of custody. You lead by setting clear expectations and performing "spot checks" to ensure that shortcuts are never taken.
• Emotional Resilience: You must be the "anchor" for your staff. Dealing with death daily takes a toll; you are responsible for maintaining team morale, preventing burnout, and fostering a culture of mutual respect and high-level service.

Key Competencies for the "High-Caliber" Candidate

Pillar

Focus

Requirement

Integrity

Ethical Standards

Absolute transparency in pricing, record-keeping, and compliance.

Presence

Executive Ownership

The "Sunday Drive" mentality—taking ownership beyond office hours.

Technical

Regulatory/Operational

Deep knowledge of state laws, OSHA compliance, and cremation protocols.

Strategic

Financial Acumen

Managing P&L, forecasting inventory (plots/crypts), and labor budgets.

The Reality of the Role

This role demands a person who understands that excellence is the only option. In the death-care industry, you do not get a "second chance" to conduct a service or maintain a resting place. Your leadership ensures that every family leaves the property feeling that their loved one was treated with the highest level of dignity, and that every staff member feels supported in their vital, high-pressure work.

bilingual Spanish

Cemetery company overseeing 20 cemeteries throughout New Jersey, PA and DE.

Company Description

Cemetery company overseeing 20 cemeteries throughout New Jersey, PA and DE.