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.
 

cleaning supervisor jobs
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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.
 

Close up - Smiling female looking away
Close up - Smiling female looking away
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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.
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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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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.
hotel employees working together
hotel employees working together
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FAQs

FAQs about working as a cleaning supervisor

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