Cleaning Manager - North West in Manchester

Location: North West based – with national travel

Salary: £35,000 – £40,000

Car Allowance: £6,000 per annum

Type: Permanent

We are recruiting for an experienced Cleaning / Soft Services Manager to take responsibility for the mobilisation, set-up and ongoing management of a large-scale 24/7 cleaning operation, alongside wider Soft Facilities Management responsibilities. The role will be based from the North West, although regular travel will be involved, particularly during mobilisation and as the contract develops. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Cleaning or Soft Services Manager who has previously been involved in mobilising cleaning contracts from the ground up and is confident establishing the people, processes, standards and operational structure required to deliver a successful 24/7 service.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mobilisation and implementation of a new 24/7 cleaning operation.
• Develop and implement cleaning schedules, staffing structures, rotas and service delivery plans.
• Recruit, induct and manage cleaning and soft services teams.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained across a 24-hour operation.
• Establish cleaning standards, procedures and quality-control processes.
• Manage the day-to-day delivery of cleaning and associated Soft FM services.
• Carry out regular site inspections, audits and performance reviews.
• Ensure cleaning standards are maintained in accordance with agreed specifications and KPIs.
• Manage supervisors and frontline cleaning teams, providing ongoing support, training and development.
• Ensure employees are appropriately trained and working in accordance with BICSc standards and recognised cleaning methodology.
• Manage cleaning equipment, consumables, chemicals and stock levels.
• Ensure COSHH, risk assessments, method statements and Health & Safety procedures are fully implemented and maintained.
• Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities to improve service delivery and efficiency.
• Manage client relationships and provide regular operational updates and reporting.
• Deal effectively with service issues, staffing challenges and changing operational requirements.
• Support wider Soft Facilities Management activities associated with the contract.
• Assist with TUPE and mobilisation processes where applicable.
• Work closely with senior management and other FM teams to ensure a smooth and successful mobilisation.

Candidate Requirements

The successful candidate will be an experienced Cleaning Manager, Soft Services Manager or Soft FM Manager with a strong operational background. Essential requirements include:

• Previous management experience within commercial cleaning / Soft Facilities Management.
• Proven experience mobilising cleaning contracts or setting up new cleaning operations.
• Experience managing large cleaning teams and multi-shift or 24/7 operations.
• BICSc qualified / accredited cleaning industry training is essential.
• Strong knowledge of cleaning processes, equipment, chemicals and industry best practice.
• Good understanding of Health & Safety, COSHH, risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• Experience managing staffing levels, rotas, recruitment and operational performance.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Confident dealing directly with clients and operational stakeholders.
• Able to work independently and take ownership of the mobilisation process.
• Commercially aware with the ability to manage labour, resources and service delivery effectively.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Able and willing to travel Nationally where required.

The Role

This position would particularly suit someone who enjoys the challenge of building an operation from the ground up rather than simply inheriting an established cleaning contract. You will play a key role in putting the structure, people and processes in place to successfully launch the service before taking responsibility for maintaining high standards across the ongoing 24/7 operation.

Salary £35,000 – £40,000 plus £6,000 car allowance