what is a cleaning supervisor?
As a cleaning supervisor, you manage a team of cleaners and ensure they perform their janitorial duties well. You may not be responsible for cleaning tasks, but you guide others and ensure the job is done correctly. You inspect work sites after cleaning duties to ensure the areas are spotless.
Cleaning supervisors usually work in various industry sectors to ensure clean work premises. That means you can find a job in your preferred business sectors like hotels, food production industries, educational institutions and commercial buildings.
As a cleaning supervisor, you undertake administrative duties, like meeting with clients to discuss cleaning requirements or developing cleaning schedules. You also allocate cleaning areas to specific staff and plan off-days. Sometimes, your role includes hiring a cleaning crew and training them on the expected standards and practices. You also prepare documentation and keep a record of cleaning supplies.
You may also work in environments that require regulatory compliance. For instance, if you work in hospitals or research facilities, you need specialised skills in handling hazardous waste. In chemical and manufacturing plants, you have to adhere to government standards during the cleaning process. As a cleaning supervisor, you need to ensure all staff are trained on regulatory compliance and follow the stipulated guidelines.
Would working as a cleaning supervisor suit your meticulous and systematic approach to tasks? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a cleaning supervisor role.
average salary of a cleaning supervisor
According to ONS, a cleaning supervisor earns an average salary of £19,487 per year. If you are new to the role, your earnings start at £17,550 annually, while experienced supervisors earn over £24,123 per year. The pay structure can differ for part-time and full-time roles. Besides, you will receive various allowances, including medical insurance and contribution to a pension scheme. When you work overtime, your hourly rates are higher than regular hours, and some employers offer end-of-year bonuses.
what factors affect the salary of a cleaning supervisor?
As a cleaning supervisor, your earnings fluctuate depending on your experience level. Most cleaning supervisors with higher earnings have a background in housekeeping and working in a cleaning crew. Experience, transferable skills and educational qualifications improve the pay structure. For instance, if you have an additional certification in handling hazardous waste, it can boost your earnings.
Your employer also dictates your earning potential depending on the industry sector. If you're working in hospitals or pharmaceutical industries, unfavourable work environments and required specialised skills warrant higher earnings since you have to train cleaning crews. Large institutions also pay higher salaries than small start-up businesses with limited cleaning budgets.
types of cleaning supervisors
The types of cleaning supervisors depend on the industry and the cleaning activities. Some common types of cleaning supervisors include:
- hotel housekeeping supervisor: as a cleaning supervisor in a hotel, you oversee the cleaning or laundry crew to ensure all hotel rooms are properly cleaned and stocked with linen. You also inspect the rooms after cleaning to ensure they are spotless.
- hospital cleaning supervisor: you supervise the cleaning of hospital wards and make sure the cleaners cause little disruption. You also ensure that safety procedures are followed during cleaning and disinfection.
- laundry cleaning supervisor: some cleaning supervisors focus more on laundry than cleaning surfaces. If your crew specialises in carpet cleaning and dry cleaning laundry, you monitor the cleaning activities and manage the workers.
cleaning supervisor job description
When you are a cleaning supervisor, you take up managerial duties in housekeeping and manage cleaning supplies procurement and staffing.
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duties and responsibilities
A cleaning supervisor takes on various duties, including:
- establishing cleaning guidelines: as the cleaning supervisor, you are responsible for all activities in the housekeeping department. That means you set the cleaning standards and provide guidelines that housekeepers follow on the job. You also introduce safety guidelines, like the use of personal protective equipment.
- hiring and training employees: as a cleaning supervisor, you perform administrative duties related to the cleaning crew. For instance, you hire housekeepers based on the company's hiring standards. You also train new team members and teach them the cleaning guidelines and safety procedures. You have the power to fire cleaning members that don't perform their duties well.
- supervising workers and inspecting work areas: as a cleaning supervisor, you should supervise your team and ensure effectiveness. After cleaning, you need to inspect the areas and rectify any mistakes made by the crew. When you inspect regularly, you can ensure the personnel comply with the cleaning standards.
- scheduling workers and determining the cleaning methods: a cleaning supervisor prepares workers' schedules and cleaning routines, ensuring they cover all work areas. Apart from preparing staff rotas, you manage the crew's sick days and vacation days. You also need to specify the cleaning methods for various surfaces, from floors to walls and carpets.
- procuring cleaning supplies and monitoring usage: as a cleaning supervisor, you ensure workers have cleaning supplies, such as detergents and equipment. It is important to find a reliable supply and procure the items in time to avoid delaying cleaning activities. You also control the usage of the supplies to minimise wastage and misuse.
- notifying managers about repairs and maintenance work: if you notice faulty appliances or dents in the walls and floor surfaces that need repair, you have to inform the manager. You also carry out maintenance of cleaning equipment and inform the management when you need new equipment.
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work environment
A cleaning supervisor usually works indoors or in an office when performing administrative duties. In some cases, you work outdoors when helping the cleaning crew wash balconies and outdoor spaces. The work settings of a cleaning supervisor differ depending on the industry. Some cleaning supervisors work in hospitals, commercial settings or manufacturing plants. You may also work in hotels or large residential properties. You should wear protective equipment like gloves since you are regularly exposed to detergents, contaminants and infections. Some companies also require cleaning supervisors to wear uniforms at work.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include housekeepers, caretakers and cleaners. You might also be working in close proximity to industrial cleaners and hotel room attendants, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, accommodation wardens, operations managers and handypersons.
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work schedule
As a cleaning supervisor, you can work part-time or full-time, depending on the employment contract. You have to work up to 35 hours a week in full-time positions. Since cleaning work is done early morning or late at night, you are likely to work unsociable hours. In hospitals and hotels, you work weekends and public holidays to supervise cleaning activities. Part-time opportunities are also available for cleaning supervisors, especially in commercial settings with minimal cleaning duties.
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job outlook
A cleaning supervisor can move upward to other managerial roles or focus on expert services, like deep or carpet cleaning. Some cleaning supervisors also train in specialised areas, like chemical plants and pharmaceutical industries. In hospitals, you require specific training to learn the safety measures and disinfection protocols.
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advantages of finding a cleaning supervisor job through randstad
Finding your cleaning supervisor job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a cleaning supervisor is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Although a cleaning supervisor doesn't need specific cleaning experience, a post-secondary education boosts your career prospects. Usually, GCSE is the minimum requirement for cleaning roles, but you have to complete formal cleaning and sanitation training to become a cleaning supervisor. You can find relevant courses in vocational training centres or colleges. A cleaning supervisor also needs previous cleaning experience and expertise in using cleaning equipment such as floor and carpet cleaners.
As a cleaning supervisor, you should know the health and safety standards. A licence from the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS) is also desirable. Sometimes you need Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
skills and competencies
You need these skills and competencies to succeed in your role:
- leadership: as a cleaning supervisor, you lead the cleaning crew and supervise all cleaning activities. Leadership skills help you motivate your crew and inspire them to perform their duties well.
- communication skills: cleaning supervisors need to convey cleaning instructions to team members. They also require communication skills to liaise with managers and supervisors. Teamwork skills also help you collaborate with other workers.
- problem-solving skills: as a cleaning supervisor, you need problem-solving abilities to resolve problems that arise during the cleaning process. Problem-solving skills also assist in conflict resolution.
- organisation skills: your organisational skills help you plan schedules, delegate tasks and monitor supplies. Being organised also helps you keep track of files and employee records.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a cleaning supervisor
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what does a cleaning supervisor do?
A cleaning supervisor is responsible for managing the cleaning team and ensuring work areas are clean. They also perform administrative duties related to housekeeping, such as hiring employees or managing vendors that provide specialised services like carpet cleaning.
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how much does a cleaning supervisor earn?
Your work experience, skills and educational qualifications determine your salary. A cleaning supervisor earns between £17,550 and £24,123 per year.
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what are the main responsibilities of a cleaning supervisor?
The main responsibility of a cleaning supervisor is to monitor the cleaning functions in commercial work settings.
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what are the duties and responsibilities of a housekeeping supervisor?
A housekeeping supervisor trains the cleaning crew on the safety standards and the cleaning guidelines. You also find suppliers for cleaning resources.
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what are the 5 roles of a cleaning supervisor?
The main roles of a cleaning supervisor include maintaining cleanliness, supervising, hiring the cleaning crew and training workers on new guidelines.
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how do I apply for a cleaning supervisor vacancy?
Applying for a cleaning supervisor job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
