Area Cleaning Supervisor

Wellspring Academy Trust; Leeds; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Wellspring Academy Trust in Leeds is seeking an Area Cleaning Supervisor to oversee day-to-day cleaning operations across multiple academy sites. You will manage rosters, respond to absences, ensure SOPs and hygiene standards are met, and lead by example.

The role requires strong organisational and communication skills, COSHH and Health & Safety knowledge, and a full UK driving licence. Travel between sites and early/late shifts are common; you will recruit and onboard casual staff.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising cleaning operations across multi-site environments.
• Experience managing shift rotas and short-notice cover.
• Strong COSHH, Health & Safety knowledge.
• Brilliant communication skills to support cleaners and liaise with Headteachers.
• Flexible and prepared to travel between sites and cover early mornings or late afternoons.

Responsibilities

• Staffing & rota management across a cluster of schools; deploy relief cleaners to cover absences.
• Carry out Return-to-Work meetings with staff returning from illness.
• Ensure cleaning rotas and SOPs are followed and quality is maintained.
• Check equipment, service machinery, and manage consumable stock orders.
• Recruit, interview, and onboard new site cleaning operatives and casual relief staff.

Skills

Staff management

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Job title and organisation: Area Cleaning Supervisor - Wellspring Academy Trust, At Wellspring Academy Trust, we believe every child deserves to learn in a safe, clean, and welcoming environment. Following our recent team restructure, we are looking for an Area Cleaning Supervisor to join our Cleaning management team. If you are an organised, practical, and supportive leader who takes pride in high standards and keeping school operations running smoothly across multiple sites, we would love to hear from you., As an Area Cleaning Supervisor, you will oversee day-to-day cleaning operations and staffing cover across a cluster of Trust academies in the Leeds Area. You will make sure our school cleaning specifications are followed, manage short-notice staff cover, and carry out Return-to-Work meetings after absences. You will lead by example and champion 'botheredness', ensuring our cleaning teams take real pride in site presentation and hygiene every day. Key Responsibilities

• Staffing & Rota Management: Manage daily shift rosters across your site cluster, deploying relief cleaners to cover sudden staff absences so no site is left short.
• Absence Support: Carry out prompt Return-to-Work (RTW) meetings with staff returning from illness, following Trust HR policies and supporting employee well-being.
• Specification & Quality Adherence: Visit schools regularly to ensure cleaning rotas and Trust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are being met.
• Equipment & Stock Oversight: Check cleaning machinery across sites, arrange servicing or quick repairs, and manage consumable stock orders through approved channels.
• Team Recruitment: Help recruit, interview, and onboard new site cleaning operatives and casual relief staff.

Health & Safety

• Safety & Compliance: Enforce COSHH rules, risk assessments, and safe working practices across all cleaning activities in your cluster.
• Equipment & PPE Checks: Make sure all machinery is safe to use and that staff are supplied with and using the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Site Security & Hazards: Audit site keyholding procedures and immediately report any building security issues, hazards, risks, or broken equipment.
  We are looking for an approachable, proactive leader with strong organisational skills who can handle day-to-day challenges calmly and fairly. You should be comfortable managing staff rotas, traveling between sites, and supporting teams to work at their best.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience supervising cleaning operations or leading teams across multi-site environments.
• Has experience managing shift rotas, organising short-notice cover, and carrying out sickness absence meetings.
• Holds strong knowledge of COSHH, Health & Safety, and commercial cleaning equipment.
• Possesses brilliant communication skills to support cleaners, speak with Headteachers, and collaborate with the Central management team.
  Is flexible, holds a full UK Driving Licence, and is ready to support early morning or late afternoon shifts when needed.

Why Join Wellspring Academy Trust?

• Career Steps: We help you grow into higher roles through training and apprenticeships.
• Good Team Support: You will have regular support from your managers.
• Good Pay & Pension: Includes a local government pension scheme.
• Make a Difference: Your work directly helps children have a clean, safe school to learn in.

References will be requested and an online search carried out for shortlisted candidates, prior to attendance at interview. Further pre-employment checks, including prohibition from teaching, childcare disqualification and section 128 checks, if deemed relevant for the role, will be completed for the successful candidate upon acceptance of the post.

We are committed to equal opportunities and to promoting diversity. We want our people to reflect the diversity of our communities, and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, especially from under-represented groups, including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you are currently living overseas or have lived / worked overseas in the last five years please be aware that you will be required to provide an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in, if you are the preferred candidate for the post.