What Does A Housekeeping Manager Do?

WHAT DOES A HOUSEKEEPING MANAGER DO?

Published: Jul 4, 2025 - The Housekeeping Manager supervises daily cleaning operations, assigns tasks to staff, and ensures cleanliness standards are met across both interior and exterior building areas. This role involves managing inventory, coordinating minor maintenance work, and overseeing recruitment, training, and performance evaluations of housekeeping personnel. Additionally, the manager ensures safe equipment usage, responds promptly to facility issues, and maintains detailed reports on staffing, room occupancy, and departmental expenses.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Housekeeping Manager

1. Housekeeping Manager Details and Accountabilities

Leadership: Provide support, development, and leadership to the team.
Housekeeping: Maintain and look for opportunities to improve housekeeping standards on the "Village" in line with resort goals on cleanliness, inventory, presentation, etc.
Problem Solving: Identify solutions to continuously improve the areas that fall below standard.
Guest Relations: Be a point of contact with guests to help resolve problems.
Shift Management: Manage designated shifts professionally and effectively as a leader.
Labor Control: Control the deployment of direct labour/contract companies within the area of responsibility.
Maintenance Reporting: Report maintenance jobs and evaluate maintenance work to adhere to Company standards.
Feedback Analysis: Review guest verbatim and implement ideas and solutions for improvement.
Administration: Oversee administration duties such as rotas, stock ordering, budgetary control, etc.
Accommodation Supervision: Duty Accommodation Manager covers the Department on designated shifts.
Compliance: Comply with all Company and legislative procedures.
Training: Conduct and plan on-the-job “Skill Cards”.

2. Housekeeping Manager Tasks

Recruitment: Recruit, train, and manage housekeeping employees for the contract
Relationship Management: Build strong relationships with the client and employees, define job descriptions, and advise on job specifications.
Inspection: Inspect rooms and public areas of the hotel
Waste Management: Ensure responsible waste management and segregation in line with the client’s policies
Inventory Control: Ensure guest supplies are ordered, used, and stored correctly on-site
Maintenance Reporting: Report maintenance issues and manage stocks of hotel linen
Training Records: Ensure training records are completed and stored in the Site Manual
Uniform Compliance: Ensure operatives comply with the uniform code
Health and Safety: Ensure Health and Safety requirements are met and exceeded
Quality Assurance: Ensure adherence to the Company’s quality procedures
Contract Compliance: Ensure the contract is operating to the required specifications, within budget, and performance is audited in line with contractual agreements
Administration: Undertake administration tasks such as payroll, monthly reports, and client business reviews

3. Housekeeping Manager Roles

Policy Compliance: Maintain complete knowledge of and comply with all departmental policies, service procedures, and standards.
HR Support: Support the hotel's philosophy concerning hiring, employee relations, disciplinary action, training, counselling, evaluating, etc.
Brand Representation: Be a "brand ambassador" at all times and ensure brand integrity and clarity are always maintained.
Standards Compliance: Maintain complete knowledge of and comply with all departmental policies/service procedures/standards, Rosewood brand, Forbes standards, and LQA standards.
Room Inventory: Verify room status reports and update room inventory status
Staff Scheduling: Prepare work schedules for effective staffing, ensuring efficient operation of the department within specific labor standards.
Task Assignment: Assist with preparing and distributing assignment sheets to associates and reviewing priorities.
Inspection: Inspect relevant areas after being cleaned by respective personnel, using designated checklists.
Performance Feedback: Directly contact respective personnel and relay any deficiencies to be corrected, and coach and counsel.
Inventory Control: Ensure proper inventory and working condition of all guest supplies and report needed replacement items immediately.
Service Readiness: Ensure that all materials and equipment are in complete readiness for service, and rectify deficiencies with respective personnel.
Team Morale: Foster and promote a cooperative working climate, maximizing productivity and employee morale.

4. Housekeeping Manager Additional Details

Budget Management: Oversee budgets and expenditure
Recruitment: Manage recruitment for cleaning staff
Cleanliness Standards: Maintain high standards of upkeep and cleanliness at all times, handling specific requests in regards to cleaning, maintenance, and organization
Task Scheduling: Organize daily tasks and schedules for the cleaning staff
Cleaning Operations: Perform a variety of cleaning activities such as sweeping, mopping, dusting, and polishing
Room Inspection: Ensure all rooms are cared for and inspected according to standards
Equipment Protection: Protect equipment and make sure there are no inadequacies
Damage Reporting: Notify the Managing Director of any damages, deficits, and disturbances
Customer Service: Deal with reasonable complaints/requests with professionalism and patience
Inventory Check: Check stocking levels of all consumables and replace if called for
Safety Compliance: Adhere strictly to rules regarding health and safety, and be aware of any company-related practices

5. Housekeeping Manager Essential Functions

SOP Compliance: Maintain the SOPs regarding purchase orders, vouchering of invoices, and accounting.
Communication: Maintain a professional working relationship and promote open lines of communication with managers, employees, and other departments.
Policy Enforcement: Ensure implementation of all the company's policies and resort rules.
Safety Knowledge: Understand housekeeping terms, chemical and hazardous material handling, and sanitation/cleanliness standards.
Interdepartmental Coordination: Maintain constant communication with Front Office, Maintenance, Conference Services, and Laundry departments for efficient and prompt service to the guests.
Turn Day Management: Manage and organize large turn days.
Project Support: Monitor and assist with deep cleaning projects and/or assist housekeeping staff during unanticipated rush periods.
Labor Management: Ensure daily management of labor expenses.
VIP Room Inspection: Monitor and inspect all VIP rooms daily to ensure that cleanliness meets the Resort's standards.
Facility Standards: Monitor fixtures, furniture, supplies, and the general appearance of all areas to ensure that all is up to Resort standards.
Incident Documentation: Document all incidents and accident reports following the Resort policy.
Reporting: Prepare and review daily housekeeping reports.
Shift Closure: Ensure that at the end of the shift, all keys and assignment sheets are completed and accounted for.
Maintenance Reporting: Report maintenance issues to Maintenance Techs, Director of Housekeeping, and/or General Manager.

6. Housekeeping Manager Role Purpose

Project Coordination: Plan, coordinate, and participate in special projects.
Inventory Management: Requisition and distribute supplies and equipment, and maintain records of supply inventory.
Training Facilitation: Plan, coordinate, and facilitate training programs.
Equipment Maintenance: Inspect equipment for damage and perform minor repairs.
Safety Programs: Assist in implementing safety and infection-control programs.
Work Area Safety: Maintain all work areas and ensure Housekeeping equipment is free of safety violations.
Hazard Reporting: Report any hazardous conditions or broken equipment immediately to the proper personnel.
Role Flexibility: Understand all duties of Room Attendants, Housepersons, and Supervisors, and assist if called for.
Indirect Supervision: Indirectly supervise all public area housekeeping associates.
Room Monitoring: Work with the Front Office to monitor out-of-order, out-of-service, and showrooms.
Supply Stocking: Maintain the required parts of all supplies.

7. Housekeeping Manager General Responsibilities

Team Management: Hiring, day-to-day management, training, and development of the housekeeping team
Inspection: Daily inspections to ensure spotless standards and delivery of a perfect first impression every time
Coordination: Coordinate the availability of apartments with all teams and accurately update apartment status through Mews
Inventory Control: Oversee room2 inventory by performing stock checks, purchasing, and cost control for linen, rooms, and guest room supplies
Health and Safety Compliance: Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation
Customer Service: Deliver a personal and memorable customer service when interacting with guests
Housekeeping Support: Help as a housekeeping resource
Issue Resolution: React to any issues or problems that arise on a timely basis
Staff Communication: Liaise and constructively communicate with employees on developments in the overall pursuit of achieving a high level of customer satisfaction
Information Delivery: Ensure accurate and prompt information delivery to the accounts department

8. Housekeeping Manager Key Accountabilities

Ops Management: Accountable and wholly responsible for customer management, the day-to-day operation, and the administration of the Housekeeping department.
SOP Enforcement: Implement and maintain the SOPs (standard operating procedures) for the Housekeeping department.
Hygiene Oversight: Accountable and responsible for the presentation and high level of hygiene of the entire property by company quality standards at all times.
Lost Property: Accountable and responsible for all lost property to be handled as per SOP.
Goods Check: Ensure all goods received for the Housekeeping department are checked regarding quality and quantity, and delivered dockets are signed and retained for the Accounts Department.
Equipment Control: Accountable for the entire equipment in the Housekeeping department to be fully operational.
Inventory Supply: Ensure to have adequate inventory for smooth operation at all times and make purchases.
Team Management: Train, supervise, manage, and assist in the daily operation of the housekeeping department.
Performance Review: Regularly review individual and team performance against objectives and provide feedback through on-the-job training, appraisals, job chats, and team meetings, and take corrective action.
Training Planning: Develop the team skills and knowledge through developing and implementing department training plans to meet the business needs.

9. Housekeeping Manager Roles and Details

Room Cleaning: Organize and manage the cleaning of guestrooms following property standards (making beds and changing linen, cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting, trash removal, etc.).
Public Area Cleaning: Organize and supervise the cleaning of public spaces and other work areas
Room Check: Check rooms upon arrival, occupied, and during turndown service, so as to ensure linen, towels, supplies, and amenities are replenished and nicely arranged.
Team Scheduling: Consistently produce the housekeeping team’s schedule.
Team Leadership: Lead the housekeeping team with a hands-on approach.
Team Communication: Maintain close and efficient communication with the maintenance team and management
Stock Control: Monitor stocks and perform regular inventories of all housekeeping supplies, amenities, and linen tools.
Chemical Safety: Follow and lead a safe operational procedure surrounding the use of cleaning chemicals.
Guest Relations: Develop a positive relationship with guests and team members while consistently remaining professional and service-focused.
Staff Training: Recruit, schedule, and train all new housekeeping associates.
Budget Management: Maintain the housekeeping budget, providing billing summaries and expenses for all pre- and post-event.

10. Housekeeping Manager Responsibilities and Key Tasks

Team Development: Leverage Aramark's coaching model to engage and develop team members to their fullest potential.
Performance Management: Reward and recognize employees, and ensure individual and team performance meets objectives and client expectations.
Team Briefing: Plan and lead daily team briefings.
Safety Standards: Ensure safety and sanitation standards in all operations.
Client Relations: Maintain effective client and customer rapport for mutually beneficial business relationships.
Needs Assessment: Identify client needs and communicate operational progress.
Service Excellence: Deliver and model WEST as a foundation for excellent customer service.
Client Partnership: Partner with the client to understand the demands and specifications of the EVS program.
P&L Management: Ensure the completion and maintenance of P&L statements.
Financial Delivery: Deliver client and company financial targets.
Process Adoption: Adopt all Aramark processes and systems, understand performance metrics, data, order, and inventory trends, and educate teams on key levers to improve margins.

11. Housekeeping Manager Duties and Roles

Housekeeping Oversight: Oversees the administration and management of housekeeping operations.
Guest Service: Ensure the highest level of guest service through the application of Five Standard Operating Policies.
Room Inspection: Conduct regular inspections of VIP rooms and spot checks.
Cleanliness Standards: Ensure the highest standards of cleanliness, maintenance, and safety are achieved in the department and throughout the hotel.
Staff Training: Responsible for training all housekeeping colleagues.
Guest Feedback: Track and address all guest comments and concerns.
Lost and Found: Ensure lost and found procedures are followed through accurately and consistently.
Budget Planning: Prepares Annual Linen Budget on the basis of quantity inventory and linen losses, and annual uniform budget.
Interdepartmental Relations: Maintain a close working relationship with all hotel departments and be a positive contributor to the leadership team of the hotel.
Cost Control: Assist in maximizing hotel profitability by properly managing expenses, labor, and other material resources.

12. Housekeeping Manager Roles and Responsibilities

Budget Preparation: Prepare the department's operational budget.
Inventory Accuracy: Ensure accuracy of regular inventories and analysis of losses.
Safety Awareness: Understand and be aware of all fire and safety procedures, as well as occupational health and safety.
Cleanliness Check: Spot-check staff areas for cleanliness.
Vendor Management: Liaise with all external contractors, auditing their services regularly and ensuring their standards meet FIVE expectations.
Staff Supervision: Manage staff and ensure that productive, proactive work ethics are maintained and illustrated to staff at all times.
Career Growth: Ensure a progressive environment is created and maintained that offers employees opportunities for job advancement within hotels.
Team Morale: Ensure high morale throughout the department through recognition and removal of identified barriers.
Grooming Standards: Ensure that standards, inclusive of grooming and attire of staff, are maintained at a superior level daily.
Communication Flow: Maintain effective flow of communication by attending required hotel meetings and conducting departmental pre-shift and monthly associate meetings.
Professional Interaction: Interact and respond courteously and professionally with all guests, staff, and community members, inclusive of resolving all guest and staff difficulties.

13. Housekeeping Manager Overview

Operations Management: Manage all aspects of housekeeping operations, including scheduling, ordering, inventory, performance management, etc.
Guest Readiness: Communicates with the front desk and general management to ensure arriving guest rooms are clean and prepared
Staff Area Cleanliness: Ensure staff spaces are clean and sanitized
Team Training: Invest in the housekeeping team through training and teaching
Quality Control: Maintain quality control through room inspection
Room Assistance: Assist the team with cleaning and preparing rooms
Issue Reporting: Keeps a record of potential safety and maintenance issues and communicates details to the supervisor
Event Setup: Assist with the setup of rooms for special events, meetings, conferences, and banquets
Guest Support: Offers assistance to guests and teammates
Call Handling: Ensure all guest calls are completed promptly and follow up to ensure satisfaction.

14. Housekeeping Manager Job Description

Duty Assignment: Assign duties to supervisors while inspecting team members
Guest Response: Respond quickly to guest requests and follow-ups
Performance Review: Conduct performance reviews
Building Management: Manage and monitor assigned buildings
File Management: Maintain an organized and comprehensive filing system with documentation of purchases, schedules, forecasts, reports, and tracking logs.
Team Training: Participate and conduct Daily Promise meetings and training
Regulation Compliance: Comply at all times with the standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
Schedule Planning: Determine and maintain the department work schedule used to notify staff of upcoming events and ensure proper preparation and staffing for each event
Equipment Maintenance: Ensure proper maintenance of all equipment, make arrangements for repair and/or replacement of used and damaged equipment.
Operational Excellence: Comply with the Operational Excellence fundamentals by meeting and maintaining facilities and labor initiatives.
Team Supervision: Ensure the entire team is trained and able to execute, supervise the team regarding production, quality, and control.

15. Housekeeping Manager Functions

Compliance Monitoring: Monitors and ensures compliance with all guidelines for operations
Team Meetings: Conducts monthly department meetings to review new procedures and solicit input from all employees
Issue Resolution: Handles and provides resolution to guest complaints and employee issues
Duty Assignment: Assigns duties to employees and subordinates and observes performance to ensure adherence to hotel and franchise policies and established operating procedures
Policy Inquiries: Answers inquiries about hotel policies and services
Wage Management: Assists General Manager in annual wage scale surveys, ensures employee wages follow wage and salary guidelines
Hiring Compliance: Ensures property hiring practices comply with all state and federal requirements
Cost Control: Create value through efficient operations, appropriate cost controls, and profit management.
Cleanliness Standards: Uphold the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and conduct.
GM Support: Performs functions of the General Manager in their absence

16. Housekeeping Manager Accountabilities

Department Oversight: Responsible for all administrative, financial, and operating aspects of the resort as they relate to the Housekeeping and Laundry departments
Staffing Management: Ensure proper staffing levels in the division to maintain guest and client service needs
Talent Retention: Attract, retain, and motivate the associates
Staff Supervision: Hire, train, develop, coach and counsel, conduct performance reviews, resolve problems, provide open communication, discipline, and terminate
Leadership Development: Responsible for the professional development of subordinate managers and supervisors, including professional training, personal coaching, and developing individual goals for each person
Standards Enforcement: Ensure all housekeeping standards are upheld, trained, and applied by every associate
Procedure Documentation: Develop, maintain, and update Housekeeping Procedure manuals for each role under the division's control
Policy Compliance: Ensure awareness of and compliance with all company as well as OSHA safety and security policies and procedures
Safety Training: Ensure employee and guest safety by proper training and maintenance of equipment and work areas
Audit Development: Develop internal auditing processes to ensure standards are consistently being met or exceeded

17. Housekeeping Manager Job Summary

Staff Monitoring: Plan, organize, and monitor staff activities to ensure compliance with quality assurance standards set by the hotel, which requires continuous visual inspection of guest rooms and public space areas, etc.
Guest Resolution: Respond to, investigate, and resolve guest concerns and complaints.
Quality Control: Maintain high standards of quality and guest satisfaction.
Department Coordination: Ensure the department coordinates activities with other departments.
Front Office Liaison: Maintain excellent communication and relationship with the Front Office department, in particular to ensure inventory issues are addressed.
VIP Management: Monitor all VIPs and special requests, ensure department resources are coordinated for every VIP arrival following established VIP guidelines.
Financial Management: Manage the finances of housekeeping and laundry operations, including budget and inventory controls.
Data Analysis: Analyze data and compile reports on expenditures, wages, labor, supplies, etc., concerning hotel financial forecasts and budget.
Supply Management: Establish and maintain adequate supplies for the efficient operation of the department.
Vendor Relations: Maintain relationships with vendors to ensure good working relationships are maintained.

18. Housekeeping Manager Responsibilities

Team Leadership: Manage and oversee Housekeeping staff, and demonstrate thoughtful decisions in a high-pressure environment, while consistently modeling the company’s values and competencies for success
Accountability: Responsible for the actions, results, successes, and failures of the team to include service and cleanliness standards and operational processes
Task Scheduling: Schedule and monitor daily cleans and key assignments, inspection of units, unit buildings, offices, and common areas
Staff Development: Support hiring, assignment, training, motivation, and coaching personnel and oversee reward and recognition programs, ensuring timely verbal and written communication
Staff Supervision: Provide direct supervision of all housekeeping staff, including Housekeepers, Housepersons, Dispatchers, Inspectors, Custodians, etc.
Retention Monitoring: Monitor and identify areas for Team retention improvement
Goal Delivery: Deliver against the company's TI goals and KPIs
Performance Review: Conduct PDPs for direct reports and the development of the team
Interview and Evaluation: Conduct interviews/performance management meetings
Report Submission: Generate and submit reports to the relevant stakeholders
Job Appraisals: Conduct job chats and appraisals as per company policy

19. Housekeeping Manager Details

Staff Oversight: Oversees staff of Housekeeping Supervisors, House-Persons, and Room Attendants by conducting daily and monthly meetings, inspecting staff work, and giving guidance so that deficiencies are corrected and standards are met.
Hiring and Training: Interviews, hires, and trains room attendants in procedures and techniques, including detailed instruction on the use of chemicals for different surfaces and procedures to report repairs to engineering.
Scheduling: Arranges staff work schedules, determining days off, ensuring staffing levels are based on occupancy and/or any current or anticipated projects.
Payroll Processing: Submits payroll records, correcting errors to ensure pay is on time.
Record Management: Maintains and reviews computerized records for budgeting and forecasting of department expenses, as well as inspection scores for housekeepers.
Inventory Control: Maintains inventories of amenities, chemicals, and other supplies to ensure items are in stock and reorders on time
Staff Discipline: Coaches, counsels, and disciplines staff to ensure standards are met and assigns staff to additional training.
Standards Implementation: Reviews current standards and introduces hotel-wide changes, such as those affecting amenity set-ups, to ensure the hotel complies.
Laundry Coordination: Coordinates with laundry to ensure room linen is picked up and delivered to meet guest room needs.

20. Housekeeping Manager Duties

Staff Scheduling: Supervise, schedule, and assign the cleaning staff in the daily interior cleaning of the building, including emptying waste receptacles, debris and trash removal, vacuuming/shampooing floors and carpets, dusting and cleaning furniture, etc., following established procedures
Task Inspection: Assign tasks and inspect building areas to see that work has been done properly, issues supplies and equipment, and conducts an inventory of materials to ensure that an adequate amount of supplies are always present
Staff Hiring: Conduct or assist with the screening and hiring of job applicants, training new and experienced employees, conducting performance reviews, and making recommendations to management on promotions, transfers, or dismissals
Report Preparation: Prepare and present reports concerning the occupancy of rooms, hours worked, staff assignments, tasks/duties performed, and department expenses
Exterior Maintenance: Supervise and assist with the performance and scheduling of exterior building and premises cleaning and basic maintenance, including exterior walls and windows, parking lots and structures, gardens and lawns, curbs/gutters, exterior hallways and stairwells, etc.
Minor Repairs: Work with other managers to assign staff to assist with minor maintenance and repair work, including painting, replacement of light bulbs and fixtures (interior and exterior), moving furniture and equipment, minor landscaping and related upkeep and repairs, and simple plumbing and fixture repairs/replacements
Additional Duties: Supervise or perform other assigned duties (depending on the building, facility, and client needs), including gardening and lawn care, assisting with inventory control and supply ordering, and assisting with tenant moves
Emergency Response: Promptly respond to and notify management of spills and emergencies, need for major and minor building/facility repairs, lights that are out or broken, broken equipment and fixtures, damaged structures, ruptured pipes/plumbing, problems with heating/cooling and ventilation, and any other observable safety issues/concerns
Equipment Safety: Ensure the proper and safely operation (including training) of cleaning equipment, tools, devices, chemical/cleaning agents, including mops, vacuums, electric polishing machines, power tools and equipment, and special cleaning solutions to efficiently perform the duties and to avoid harming floors, fixtures, individuals, and building staff.

Relevant Information

What Does A Housekeeping Director Do?

What Does A Housekeeping Inspector Do?

What Does A Housekeeping Supervisor Do?