Cleaning And Waste Manager

Sodexo; Carterton; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking a Cleaning Operations Manager to lead cleaning and waste management at RAF Brize Norton. You will manage a team of about 55 colleagues, drive service delivery and ensure high standards across a busy military site.

You will own recruitment, training, performance and rota planning while monitoring budgets and resources. The role requires strong leadership, a hands-on approach, and the ability to build solid client relationships and ensure a safe, compliant environment.

Qualifications

• Experience managing cleaning or FM operations.
• Strong leadership and people development skills.
• Knowledge of health and safety standards.
• Experience managing budgets and staffing.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building.
• Proficient in MS Office tools (Word/Excel/Outlook).
• Full driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of around 55 colleagues, providing clear direction.
• Oversee cleaning and waste management to meet contractual standards.
• Manage recruitment, induction, training, performance and rotas.
• Control budgets, labour costs and resources while maintaining standards.
• Conduct service checks, safety walks and audits.
• Build client relationships and address feedback promptly.
• Coordinate services across the site with other managers.
• Provide duty manager and on-call cover as required.

Skills

People management

Leadership

Budgeting

Health and safety

Communication

Problem-solving

Resource planning

Driving licence

MS Word

MS Excel

Outlook

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Job description

Cleaning Operations Manager

RAF Brize Norton

Salary: £31,000-£32,500 per annum, depending on experience
Hours: 40 hours per week, usually Monday to Friday, with flexibility to meet business needs

A large site, a sizeable team and an exciting opportunity to make your mark.

Sodexo is looking for a Cleaning Operations Manager to lead cleaning and waste management services at RAF Brize Norton. With a team of around 55 colleagues, this is an opportunity to put your leadership skills into action, shape service delivery and make a visible difference across a busy military site.

If you enjoy taking ownership, developing people and keeping standards high, you'll find plenty to get involved in. You'll work closely with the wider site management team and build strong client relationships, helping deliver a clean, safe and well-managed environment for those who work and live on site.

What you'll do

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of around 55 colleagues, providing clear direction and supporting their growth.
• Oversee cleaning and waste management services, ensuring consistent quality and compliance with contractual requirements.
• Manage recruitment, induction, training, performance and absence, alongside staff rotas and accurate payroll.
• Take responsibility for budgets, labour costs and resources, identifying ways to improve efficiency while maintaining standards.
• Carry out regular service checks, safety walks and audits, ensuring safe working practices are followed.
• Build positive relationships with clients, colleagues and external partners, responding promptly to feedback and operational challenges.
• Drive continuous improvement and work with other managers to coordinate services across the site.
• Provide duty manager, on-call and management cover as required.

What you'll bring

• Previous experience managing cleaning, soft facilities management or a similar service operation.
• Strong people management skills, with the ability to lead, support and develop a large team.
• A sound understanding of health and safety and a keen eye for service quality.
• Experience managing budgets, planning staffing levels and making effective use of resources.
• Confident communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships.
• A practical approach to problem-solving, with the confidence to make decisions and manage competing priorities.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• A full, valid driving licence, as you will need to drive around the site.

Experience within a military environment, waste management experience and an IOSH Managing Safely qualification or equivalent would be advantageous.

Working arrangements and security

You'll work 40 hours per week, usually Monday to Friday. Flexibility is required to meet business needs, including occasional work outside normal hours, weekend cover and on-call responsibilities. Travel and overnight stays may also be required for training or other business requirements.

As this role is based on a military site, the successful candidate must undergo and successfully complete the required security vetting.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to take a key management role on a large site, with the scope to develop your team, improve services and see the results of your leadership every day. You'll be part of a collaborative management team, with opportunities to continue developing your own skills and experience.