Mobile Cleaning Team Manager

Distinct Group is a specialist cleaning and facilities management provider focused on sustainability, superior service, and innovation. The company delivers bespoke solutions for luxury retail environments and corporate office spaces, maintaining settings that reflect the highest standards of quality and care. Distinct Group partners with iconic global brands and corporate clients, supporting their vision by keeping flagship stores and high-performing offices pristine and well-presented. With a team that understands the nuances of luxury and precision, the company provides tailored services that allow clients to focus on their core priorities while Distinct Group manages the details.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Mobile Cleaning Team Manager leads Distinct's mobile specialist cleaning operation — deep cleans, carpet and hard floor cleaning, window cleaning and ad hoc one-off works — across a client base that includes some of the most demanding luxury retail brands in the UK.

The role combines field leadership with office-based planning. The postholder manages a team of eight, including two supervisors, plans and schedules their work, checks quality on site, quotes and closes out the commercial paperwork, controls materials spend against budget, and is the client's point of contact for everything the mobile team delivers.

This is a hands-on management role. The right person is organised under pressure, confident dealing directly with clients on site, commercially sharp, and rigorous about safety and paperwork in equal measure.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Proven experience managing operational teams, ideally within a mobile or specialist cleaning environment.
• Carpet specialist and hard floor cleaning techniques and window cleaning operations.
• Experience planning and managing daily team schedules across multiple sites.
• Experience quoting and pricing works, and comfort with the commercial paperwork that follows.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with direct client-facing experience.
• Full UK driving licence (essential).
• Working knowledge of health and safety regulations in cleaning or facilities services, including working at height and COSHH.
• IOSH Managing Safely, or willing to complete it within six months of appointment.
• BICS CPSS (Cleaning Professional's Skills Suite) or an equivalent recognised cleaning qualification.
• Experience working to a budget and controlling materials and consumables spend.
• Proficient in MS Office and confident with job scheduling software; experience of Joblogic or a comparable CMS/CAFM system is a strong advantage.
• Willingness to undergo site vetting and security clearance as required by our clients.

DESIRABLE

• Formal training in carpet and hard floor cleaning (NCCA or equivalent).
• IPAF, PASMA or equivalent access equipment certification.
• EBOSH General Certificate or equivalent health and safety qualification.
• BICS Licensed Assessor or Trainer status, enabling in-house training and sign-off of operatives.
• Experience working in luxury retail, hospitality or other high-specification environments

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1.Lead and develop the team

• Manage eight team members: two supervisors and six mobile cleaning operatives, including carpet and window cleaning specialists.
• Delegate clearly to the supervisors, hold regular one-to-ones and develop their ability to lead crews and run jobs independently.
• Induct and train new operatives and provide ongoing coaching in specialist cleaning techniques.
• Plan and publish rotas, manage absence and leave, and arrange cover for scheduled work.
• Carry out one-to-ones and performance reviews, addressing conduct or performance concerns early with support from the Operations Manager and Head of People.
• Provide hands‑on support on site when demand is high or a job needs extra help.

2,Plan and deliver mobile works

• Schedule contracted periodic and reactive works across multiple sites, allocating people, equipment and time efficiently.
• Respond to last-minute client requests and adjust the schedule while protecting work already agreed.
• Coordinate client requests and workbills so every job has a clear owner and nothing is duplicated or missed.
• Monitor live jobs and resolve access, equipment and staffing issues as they arise.
• Keep the shared mobile schedule up to date.
• Visit sites, check completed works and maintain records of inspections, incidents and job outcomes.
• Make sure teams have the right materials, machinery and consumables before deployment. Report equipment faults and vehicle defects promptly.
• Take ownership when a job falls short, arrange any return visit and identify how to prevent the issue recurring.

3.Coordinate subcontractors and clients

• Brief and coordinate subcontractors for services such as pest control, waste, specialist floor work and access.
• Confirm attendance, access arrangements and a named site contact before each subcontractor visit.
• Check subcontractor work before it is signed off or charged on, and report missed or abortive visits and their costs to the Operations Manager.
• Act as the main contact for mobile team service requests, site queries and feedback.
• Confirm the scope of work with clients, manage expectations and resolve concerns professionally.
• Follow up after completion, provide before-and-after photographs where required, and confirm completion in writing.
• Tell clients promptly about delays, access problems or changes.

4.Manage quotations, workbills and costs

• Survey, price and issue accurate quotations that protect the margin on each job.
• Check that a purchase order is in place before chargeable work begins where the client requires one. Escalate any outstanding PO.
• Raise detailed workbills for completed jobs, recording the client, date, site, areas worked, operatives, hours and cost.
• Mark workbills complete promptly so invoicing is not delayed, and ensure every completed job has a workbill.
• Identify additional chargeable work on site and pass opportunities to the Operations Manager.
• Monitor materials, chemicals, consumables and equipment spend against the agreed budget, reporting any variance.
• Reduce waste and over-ordering, and check that dilution rates and machine settings are used correctly.
• Work with the Purchasing Supervisor to find savings through product choice, pack sizes, pricing and consolidated orders without reducing service standards.
• Plan work to avoid unnecessary mileage, overtime and abortive visits.

5.Maintain safety, site access and accurate records

• Produce and review risk assessments and method statements (RAMS), and ensure COSHH assessments are in place for chemicals used.
• Plan and supervise working at height using suitable access equipment. Check relevant training and inspections for ladders, towers and harnesses.
• Ensure PPE is issued, worn and maintained, and that teams follow each site’s health and safety requirements.
• Report accidents, near misses and incidents under company procedures.
• Track passes and clearances required for sites, including Heathrow, Harrods and other client or landlord schemes. Arrange renewals, vetting, inductions and security clearance before operatives are deployed.
• Book and confirm access and security arrangements for out-of-hours and overnight works.
• Use Joblogic for scheduling, job allocation, completion and workbills, and support its rollout to the mobile team.
• Maintain accurate schedules, timesheets, job outcomes, materials records and site inspection records. Submit regular reports to the Operations Manager and ensure timesheets reach payroll accurately and on time.

WORKING CONDICTION & HOURS

• The role is both office and field-based, with regular travel between client sites.
• Mobile specialist works are frequently carried out outside trading hours. The postholder should expect early mornings, late evenings, occasional weekends, particularly Saturdays, depending on client access windows.
• Occasional hands‑on support is required to ensure service delivery during peak demand.
• Flexible hours , Monday to Friday, with flexibility to work the hours the business requires.
• Out-of-hours working, taken as time off in lieu.

TERMS & GENERAL

• 6 months Probation period, 1 month notice period, annual leave entitlement, pension and sick pay arrangements.
• The postholder must have the right to work in the UK and will be required to provide evidence of this.
• Appointment is subject to satisfactory references and to any vetting or background checks required by our clients.
• Distinct Group is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in employment.
• This job description sets out the main duties of the role. It is not exhaustive, and duties may reasonably change over time in line with the needs of the business, following discussion with the postholder.

#J-18808-Ljbffr