peopleforge
peopleforge

Cleaning Operations Manager

About the Role


Full Job Description

Cleaning Operations Manager 

Thirsk 

£37,000-£42,000 + 6% Pension + Training & Development + Career Progression + Monday-Friday + On-Site Parking 

Are you an Operations Manager, Contracts Manager or Area Manager with at least two years' experience within commercial cleaning or soft services, looking for a hands-on management role where you'll take ownership of client contracts and operational teams? 

On offer is the opportunity to join a growing, family-run commercial cleaning business where you'll become an important part of the operations team. You'll join a people-focused environment with genuine family values, ongoing training and opportunities to progress as the company continues to grow. 

In this role, you'll manage a portfolio of commercial cleaning contracts, taking responsibility for service delivery, budgets, quality standards and client relationships. You'll lead Team Leaders and Cleaning Operatives, manage staffing and performance, conduct site and quality audits and ensure contracts operate safely, efficiently and in accordance with specification. 

This role would suit an experienced cleaning or soft services professional who enjoys being visible and involved rather than managing from behind a desk. You'll be a strong people manager who can build relationships with both clients and employees, resolve problems quickly and take responsibility for maintaining high standards across multiple contracts. 

Responsibilities

The Role

  • Manage a portfolio of commercial cleaning contracts.
  • Lead, support and develop Team Leaders and Cleaning Operatives.
  • Manage client relationships, meetings and contract performance.
  • Monitor budgets, staffing, subcontractors and service delivery.
  • Conduct quality audits and ensure required standards are maintained.
  • Oversee recruitment, inductions, training and employee performance.
  • Ensure Health & Safety, risk assessments and COSHH compliance.
  • Support new contract mobilisation and continuous improvement.
Requirements

The Person

  • At least 2 years' experience within commercial cleaning / soft services.
  • Operations, contracts, area or multi-site management experience.
  • Strong people-management and client-facing skills.
  • Knowledge of Health & Safety and cleaning industry best practice.
  • Hands-on, proactive approach and willing to get involved operationally.
  • Strong organisation, administration and communication skills.
  • Full UK driving licence.
  • Commutable to Thirsk and surrounding areas.
Benefits

Pension

6% Pension.

Training & Development

Company development and internal training.

Career Progression

Clear progression routes.

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What makes us different

We specialise, rather than generalise.

Most recruiters spread themselves thin. We focus on SMEs and the roles that drive them forward, from technical to sales, so we know exactly what great looks like in fast-moving businesses.

We're relationship-led, not transactional.

We take the time to understand what a business needs and what a candidate wants - not just what's on the brief. The right match takes more than a keyword search.

We care about outcomes, not volume.

For SMEs, every hire matters. Our success isn't about volume, it's about making the right hire that delivers real impact. That means being selective, honest, and focused on long-term fit from the start.

FAQs

We support SME businesses across a range of roles, including engineering, technical, sales, and broader commercial positions. Our focus is on making the right match, not filling volume, so we're selective about the roles we take on.

We work with SME businesses building things that matter. No recruiter games, no endless CVs, just a straightforward, quality-first approach focused on finding the right long-term fit.

We start with a real conversation, not just a CV screen. We want to understand what you're looking for, what matters to you, and what a good move actually looks like. From there, we only put you forward for roles where there's a genuine fit.

It varies by role, but we move quickly when there's a strong match. Our focus is on quality, not speed for its own sake, though the two often go together when the brief is clear.

Always. We never share your details with any employer without your knowledge and consent. It's not just a policy, it's how we operate.

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