SPICK AND SPAN: Wendy Sturman, cleaning manager for Norfolk County Services with cleaner Jan Reid, back.

Cleaning manager

Answers supplied by Wendy Sturman,
cleaning manager for Norfolk County
Services Ltd, a facilities management
company providing a number of services
in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge.

What does the job entail?
You are responsible for a team of area managers and area supervisors who will be making sure their team of cleaners are performing tasks such as vacuuming, washing floors and walls, stripping and resealing floors, dusting and polishing to high levels. You need to ensure you provide a quality service to your customers, which could include schools and colleges, hospitals and health centres, offices and other public buildings. Other parts of the job include managing budgets and delivering training.

What skills and qualifications are needed?
You will need some practical and technical skills in the cleaning industry. Formal management qualifications are useful but not essential as you can get to this level with practical experience which is then supported with management development training. Well developed people skills are the most critical, as it is a people business, dealing with customers, staff and the public.

What type of person will fit in?
An adaptable, practical person who can be flexible and can retain a sense of humour under pressure. You need to be able to work with limited supervision, be able to solve problems and enjoy the challenge of doing so.

What are the pluses and minuses of the job?
You never get two days the same and there is lots of variety. There is a good sense of job satisfaction and you are well paid as you
progress up the chain. There is flexibility to fit in with home life most of the time as the hours are generally Monday to Friday, however the
downside can be long hours when problems arise. Also it can be difficult to keep staff motivated as they turn up each night to find
places as dirty as they were the night before.

What opportunities exist for career progression?
It is possible to start out as a cleaner with no qualifications and with determination and drive you can progress to become a caretaker, area manager, operational manager, and cleaning manager. Many staff who start as cleaners progress several stages in the career ladder.

What can I expect to earn?
Cleaners are paid at an hourly rate, but area managers can earn up to £19,000 with more senior managers paid £25,000-£30,000.

Any hints of getting a job in this area?
Most cleaning positions are advertised in the local newspapers. For details of vacancies within Norfolk County Services you can contact Wendy Sturman direct on Norwich(01603) 222212.