Head Housekeeper

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Head Housekeeper

You are in charge of the cleanliness of all the guest rooms, and most (if not all) of the public areas.

Much of your time will be spent supervising and training your staff, planning staff rotas, and dealing with stock-takes, budgets, and other paperwork (maintenance reports, room check sheets, safety audits, etc.). You will also deal with the suppliers of linen, cleaning materials and guest supplies (sachets of tea and coffee, soap, shampoo, etc.), and control the costs of cleaning materials, linen, laundry, maintenance and wages.

Another regular part of your routine will be checking that high standards of cleanliness are maintained, rooms correctly serviced, and equipment in a safe conditions (for guests and staff). Lost property will also be handed to you for safe keeping until it can be returned to the owner.

In a large operation, you will have Assistant Housekeepers and supervisors to control the work of room attendants, and probably linen room staff and someone to issue the cleaning supplies. You will liaise closely with the general manager and other heads of department, and attend regular meetings. Your staff will also meet with you, possibly on a weekly basis. Good relations with reception staff are crucial – you will need to let them know when rooms are ready to re-let, and they will let you know when rooms can be serviced, and which are departures & arrivals.

Maintenance is another key area - repairs will need to be carried out promptly, and rooms should be kept in good order. It is important that the equipment your staff use (vacuum cleaners, shampooers, polishers, trolleys, etc.) is in sound working order, and is used safely. Some cleaning materials are hazardous, and it is your responsibility to ensure that staff are trained to use them safely. Health, safety (including fire safety) and security will be on going concerns.

Qualifications

 
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Qualification NameCategoryTypeNation
Level 3 Award in Health and Safety for Supervisors in the Workplace Pre Employment TrainingRegulation & LicensingEngland
Level 3 Award in the Principles of Supervising Customer Service performance in HLTT Pre Employment TrainingCPDEngland
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hospitality Supervision & Leadership Pre Employment TrainingWork basedEngland
Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Hospitality Workforce DevelopmentWork basedEngland
Level 3 Certificate in First Line Management Workforce DevelopmentCPDEngland
Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Hospitality and Catering (Supervision & Leadership) Pre Employment TrainingWork basedNorthern Ireland
Level 3 Award in Health and Safety for Supervisors in the Workplace Pre Employment TrainingRegulation & LicensingNorthern Ireland
Level 3 Award in the Principles of Supervising Customer Service performance in HLTT Pre Employment TrainingCPDNorthern Ireland
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hospitality Supervision & Leadership Pre Employment TrainingWork basedNorthern Ireland
Level 3 Certificate in First Line Management Workforce DevelopmentCPDNorthern Ireland
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Skills

 
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Skill
Contribute to the control of resources
Contribute to the selection of staff for activities
Develop productive working relationships with colleagues
Lead a team to improve customer service
Lead meetings
Maintain the health, hygiene, safety and security of the working environment
Manage the environmental impact of your work
Manage the receipt, storage or dispatch of goods
Provide leadership for your team
Provide learning opportunities for colleagues
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