Cleaning operations are overseen a cleaning supervisor. This managerial role may entail commanding crews and support staff, as well as coordinating cleaning activities with other personnel. Several years of experience on cleaning crews and in managerial roles, such as as the foreperson of a cleaning team, are usually required to work as a supervisor. In most cases, a college diploma is not required, though it may be beneficial in certain specialty positions.
This job has a managerial component to it. The cleaning supervisor is responsible for creating cleaning schedules, assigning staff, ensuring that vacation time is taken into account, and organizing the staffing. This can include hiring and training personnel as needed, as well as firing employees who fail to complete assigned tasks correctly. Job responsibilities may include the creation of training manuals and protocols, as well as the updating of this documentation.
This crew member may not be responsible for cleaning tasks, but he or she must supervise others. While crews are cleaning up at a construction site, the cleaning supervisor can work among them to ensure that they are doing the job correctly. Suoervisors can also inspect work sites such as hotels after it has been completed. If a problem arises, the supervisor can bring it to the attention of the affected employees so that the situation can be resolved.
Regulatory compliance, not just standard cleaning, is required in some environments. Cleaning supervisors in biomedical settings, such as hospitals and research facilities, may be in charge of hazardous waste. This may necessitate additional training and certification. Similarly, at chemical and other manufacturing plants, the site must adhere to government-set standards. The cleaning supervisor is in charge of ensuring that all employees are properly trained and prepared to perform their duties.
Another responsibility is ordering supplies. Cleaning supervisors may be required to order cleaning tools and solutions, and they must stay current on industry trends in order to choose the best products for various applications. Cleaning crews’ supply closets and other facilities should also be kept organized and clean. Another issue is coordinating intensive cleaning, which may necessitate closing off an area for a day or more in order to clean deeply and thoroughly. This member of the facilities staff is responsible for keeping buildings in good working order. He consults with local employees to determine when intensive cleaning would be most convenient and least likely to disrupt operations.