Benjamin Cooksley Donovan

Reliable, hardworking and adaptable practical worker with several years of hands-on experience in grounds maintenance, gardening, warehouse operations, production and machine operation. Currently seeking a groundsman, gardening or warehouse role where I can use my practical experience and strong work ethic. Confident working outdoors, carrying out physical work, operating equipment and machinery, handling stock, working to targets and following health and safety procedures.

I take pride in doing a job properly, working well with others and providing a friendly and professional service. Ready to start work and keen to build a stable career while continuing to develop my skills.

Groundsman / Mobile Grounds Maintenance Operative at Cardiff Council (Technique) (2024-03 – Present)

Worked as part of a mobile grounds maintenance team responsible for covering cemeteries across Cardiff and maintaining sites to a consistently high standard.

• Carried out regular grass cutting, strimming, hedge cutting, general grounds maintenance and presentation work to keep cemetery grounds clean, safe, tidy and welcoming.
• Operated petrol-powered equipment including lawn mowers, box mowers, strimmers and hedge cutters, following safe operating procedures and carrying out tasks efficiently.
• Completed heavy lifting and manual handling as part of day-to-day grounds maintenance duties and worked safely around members of the public.
• Took pride in making cemetery sites look well cared for, attractive and peaceful for visitors and families.
• Worked sensitively as part of the bereavement service, understanding that cemetery visitors could be experiencing a difficult or emotional time.
• Regularly interacted with members of the public, listened to their needs and helped loved ones locate graves when they were looking for lost or difficult-to-find burial plots.
• Provided a friendly, respectful and helpful presence on site, helping visitors feel comfortable and supported while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Worked across different locations as part of a mobile team, adapting quickly to changing priorities and site requirements.
• Worked independently when required while communicating effectively with colleagues to ensure all areas and tasks were completed.
• The role gave me a strong sense of purpose and pride because I was able to care for beautiful outdoor spaces while helping other people during difficult moments.

Production Line Operative at Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd (2024 – 2024)

Worked as part of a high-standard vehicle production team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Followed detailed production processes, instructions and strict workplace health and safety requirements.
• Worked flexibly across different stations and supported colleagues to keep production moving efficiently.
• Maintained focus on quality, accuracy, attendance, teamwork and meeting daily production targets.

Maintenance Operative at EJ Facilities

Carried out general facilities and maintenance duties and supported the upkeep of working environments.

• Used practical problem-solving skills and followed safe working practices when completing maintenance tasks.

Warehouse Operative / Fork-Truck Operative at Lidl

Worked in a busy warehouse environment picking and preparing food products accurately and efficiently for stores.

• Operated a fork truck while using a headset-based picking system, receiving instructions and unit quantities for specific food items that needed to be collected.
• Located and collected the required stock, building stable stacks/pallets of products while maintaining accuracy and productivity.
• Worked to warehouse targets and performance expectations while maintaining concentration in a fast-paced environment.
• Wrapped each completed stack securely so goods were prepared and ready for the lorries to collect and transport to Lidl stores.
• Handled stock safely and carefully, helping to reduce errors and ensure orders were prepared correctly for delivery.
• Worked closely with the wider warehouse team to keep picking, preparation and dispatch operations running smoothly.
• Followed workplace health and safety procedures, including safe fork-truck operation and manual handling practices.
• Demonstrated reliability, physical stamina and the ability to work for sustained periods in a demanding warehouse environment.

Machine Operator / Warehouse Production Operative at Atlantic Plastics

Worked in a warehouse production environment manufacturing plastic products.

• Had responsibility for my own production station and operated machinery to produce plastic products to the required standard.
• Operated a CNC machine as part of the production process, following instructions and working carefully to maintain accuracy.
• Operated a press machine and monitored the production process to ensure products were produced correctly.
• Worked in a fast-paced production environment where concentration, consistency and attention to detail were important.
• Followed safe working procedures when operating machinery and maintained a clean and organised work area.
• Worked to production requirements and quality standards while helping maintain efficient output.

Store Colleague at Tesco

Supported day-to-day store operations and customer service in a busy retail environment.

• Worked effectively as part of a team and helped maintain high standards.