Cleaning Operations Team Leader

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; Torquay; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Torquay is seeking a Cleaning Operations Team Leader to manage and support cleaning staff in maintaining high standards of cleanliness and infection control. This role involves direct interaction with team members and public, alongside ensuring compliance with NHS standards. Candidates should have at least 2 years of experience in a cleaning operations leadership role, strong leadership skills, and a focus on customer service. The position is 30 hours per week with a salary ranging from £24,937 to £26,598 per annum pro-rated.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years experience leading a team in a cleaning operations environment.
• Leadership qualification or relevant experience in a similar role.
• Two years experience in a similar environment.

Responsibilities

• Support daily management of cleaning operations staff.
• Ensure compliance with cleaning standards and infection control policies.
• Provide excellent customer service to patients and staff.

Skills

Team leadership

Customer service

Communication

Quality assurance

Infection control

Education

Leadership qualification or relevant experience

NVQ in Hospitality or Leadership

Job description

Cleaning Operations Team Leader

The closing date is 04 January 2026

Our Cleaning Operations Team Leader will report to the Deputy Cleaning Operations Manager and is one of three posts providing service cover from 06:00 to 20:00, seven days a week on a rota basis.

As a Team Leader you support the day‑to‑day management of the 129 full‑time equivalent Healthcare Cleaning staff and are vital to maintaining the Trust’s Cleaning and Infection Control policies, ensuring a clean and safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.

We are recruiting two permanent positions, 30 hours per week each.

Main duties of the job

• Be visible on the shop floor, supporting Cleaning Operations staff and carrying out visual inspections of cleaning standards.
• Ensure cleaning tasks and sign‑off sheets are completed in line with the required cleaning standards.
• Under the direction of the Deputy Cleaning Manager support the delivery of the highest standard of cleaning services to patients, staff and visitors.
• Play a key role in implementing the proposed new cleaning operations service model to deliver high‑quality cleaning services in line with NHS National Standards of Cleanliness and the Trust’s Cleaning and Infection Control policies.

Job responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service to patients, colleagues and members of the public at all times.
• Communicate effectively and timely with hospital staff, the public, patients and external suppliers.
• Participate in meetings such as staff team meetings, cleaning standards, matrons meetings and operational management briefings.
• Assist the Cleaning Operations team by cascading information and maintaining good handover processes.
• Respond positively to external inspections (CQC, Environmental Health, PLACE) and recognise when to escalade issues to line managers.
• Maintain good working relationships and act as a role model, treating all team members with respect.
• Support quality assurance and performance monitoring of the Trust’s cleaning services.
• Promote incident reporting and ensure incidents are managed and reported appropriately.
• Support infection control awareness and monitor infection‑reduction measures.
• Ensure waste is correctly sorted, labelled and disposed of in accordance with relevant recycling policies.
• Investigate and respond to customer, service‑user and employee complaints/feedback professionally, ensuring a robust plan to meet service level agreements.
• Support the Deputy Cleaning Manager to prioritise daily cleaning operations service and staffing allocations, resolving staffing issues.

Person specification

Experience and qualifications

• Minimum 2 years experience leading a team in a cleaning operations environment.
• Leadership qualification or relevant experience in a similar role.
• NVQ in Hospitality or Leadership (desirable).
• Two years experience in a similar environment (desirable).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

Employer details

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Torbay, Lowes Bridge, Torquay, TQ2 7AA.

Employer website: https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk

£24,937 to £26,598 a year, per annum, pro‑rated for 30 hours per week.