Janitorial Services Supervisor in Chelmsford

The Cleaning Supervisor is responsible for leading daily cleaning operations across GBS campuses to ensure safe, hygienic, and welcoming environments for students, staff, and visitors. The role combines hands-on duties with operational leadership, driving quality standards, statutory compliance, sustainability goals, and excellent service delivery. The postholder acts as the first point of escalation for cleaning-related issues, coordinates response to incidents, and ensures planned and periodic tasks are completed to great quality.

ROLE and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, motivate, mentor and supervise Cleaners across shifts, ensuring adherence to schedule, standards, and procedures.
• Plan daily deployment and rota coverage, ensuring adequate staffing, coordinate agency or contractors when required.
• Please note, this role will require the candidate to take part in cleaning services of classrooms, offices, libraries, washrooms, receptions, circulation areas, and external areas.
• Ensure completion of routine, periodic, and deep-clean schedules (e.g. floors, carpets, washroom descaling, kitchens, windows, high-level dusting) to agreed specifications.
• Uphold colour-coding systems, infection-prevention protocols, and quality assurance processes aligned with industry best practice.
• Conduct regular audits/inspections of tasks completed; record findings, rectify defects promptly, and follow through on corrective actions.
• Monitor and operate relevant systems (e.g. Timetabler, Jira), respond within agreed SLAs.
• Manage stock levels for consumables and materials; ensure timely ordering, secure storage, cost and usage control.
• Complete monthly stocktakes; maintain accurate stock control records and support internal audit requirements.
• Ensure safe use, maintenance, and availability of cleaning equipment and machinery; coordinate servicing, repairs, and training.
• Complete and record checks on cleaning machinery and equipment for health & safety; escalate defects to Facilities Manager for repair and remove unsafe items from service.
• Maintain COSHH documentation, risk assessments, method statements, and safe systems of work for all tasks and chemicals.
• Empty and disinfect waste bins and receptacles; ensure safe segregation and disposal of rubbish in line with environmental legislation and GBS procedures.
• Support waste management and recycling programmes, ensuring correct segregation, presentation, and traceability (confidential waste, WEEE, toner, general/recycling).
• Collect data and prepare KPI reports (audit scores, SLA compliance, attendance, consumables usage, complaints) for the Facilities Manager.
• Maintain a training matrix for Cleaners, scheduling refreshers and keeping accurate records of all training completed; contribute to training plans, toolbox talks, inductions, and ongoing coaching for the team; promote continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS and EXPERIENCE:

• Proven supervisory experience in cleaning or facilities services within busy environments.
• Demonstrable understanding of Health & Safety, COSHH, manual handling, and risk assessment.
• Knowledge of cleaning methods, materials, equipment, and quality standards; ability to set and check standards.
• Strong communication, organisation, and problem-solving skills; able to prioritise and adapt to changing needs.
• Experience in planning rotas, allocating work, conducting audits, and maintaining compliance records.
• Proficiency with emails, MS Office, and basic IT systems.
• Practical knowledge of professional cleaning chemicals and aids across different surfaces and finishes.
• Flexible, proactive, ‘can-do’ approach; able to work under own initiative while meeting service standards.