How to Hire a Cleaning Operations Manager: Key Steps

If you're drowning in daily tasks—juggling cleaning crews, handling client complaints, and managing endless schedules—it's time to explore how to hire a cleaning operations manager. 

This strategic hire can transform your business from chaotic to streamlined, giving you back the time to focus on scaling instead of putting out fires.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to hire a cleaning operations manager, including:

• When it's time to bring in management help
• Essential qualities to look for in candidates
• Interview techniques that reveal true talent
• Compensation strategies that attract top performers
• Setting your new hire up for success

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When to Hire a Cleaning Operations Manager

Timing is everything. If you hire too early, you’ll stretch your budget. If you wait too long, you risk burning yourself—and your team—out.

The right moment is when you’re:

• Feeling spread too thin by daily tasks
• Experiencing recurring scheduling or crew issues
• Losing focus on growth because you’re stuck in operations

At this stage, you have enough workload to justify the investment and enough breathing room to search for the right candidate.

Top Qualities to Look for in an Operations Manager

Your cleaning operations manager will be the bridge between your crews, clients, and business goals. Look for candidates with:

• Industry Experience: knowledge of cleaning standards, workflows, and customer expectations
• Team Leadership Skills: ability to coach, motivate, and hold teams accountable
• Problem-Solving Ability: resourceful under pressure with a track record of finding solutions
• Communication: clear with both crews and clients
• Organizational Skills: thrives managing schedules, inventory, and multiple jobs at once

A great ops manager should balance efficiency with people skills—keeping cleaning crews motivated while keeping clients happy.

Where to Find Top Candidates

Industry Network

Tap your network. Ask industry contacts, suppliers, trade groups, or local associations if they know great talent.

Job Boards

Post on job boards like LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, and Indeed. Use keywords like operations manager, field supervisor, or service coordinator, plus your location.

Referrals

Ask your team. Your current crew or industry peers may know qualified candidates from past roles.

Recruiters

For higher-level hires, consider a staffing agency or recruiters who specialize in service businesses.

Writing a Job Description That Attracts Talent

Your job post is your first impression—make it stand out. Include:

• Responsibilities: managing crews, client communication, quality control, scheduling, and equipment management
• Culture: highlight your company's values, team environment, and what makes your company a great place to work
• Compensation: share a pay range and emphasize benefits like PTO, health insurance, bonuses, or training opportunities

Pro Tip! Job descriptions that emphasize growth opportunities often attract higher-quality candidates.

Interview Process That Reveals True Talent

Start with a phone screen to confirm experience and cultural fit. Then, move into in-person interviews with scenario-based questions, like:

• "Tell me about a time you dealt with an unhappy client."
• "How would you handle a cleaner calling in sick at the last minute?"
• "What steps would you take if you noticed declining job quality from a team?"

Pay attention to how they think, not just what they say. Did they show up prepared, professional, and on time? Did they ask smart questions back to you?

You can also invite top candidates to meet key team members to check for chemistry and cultural alignment.

Structuring a Competitive Compensation Package

The best talent isn’t cheap—but they’ll more than pay for themselves by improving efficiency and client satisfaction. Consider offering:

• Competitive base pay for your market
• Performance bonuses tied to metrics (like client retention, crew productivity, or quality scores)
• Perks such as health insurance, PTO, paid holidays, and career development programs

Think of this role as an investment that protects your time, your clients, and your bottom line.

Setting Your New Hire Up for Success

Hiring is just the start, and you need a solid onboarding plan after that. To maximize your new operations manager’s success:

• Map out a 90-day onboarding plan that gradually expands responsibilities
• Have them shadow your best crews to understand workflows and company standards
• Provide training on cleaning business software (scheduling, GPS tracking, client communications, etc.)
• Schedule regular check-ins during the first three months to align on goals and expectations

Building Long-Term Success

Hiring a cleaning operations manager is most effective when they’re trusted to lead. Give them:

• Decision-making freedom within clear guardrails
• Input on major business decisions and long-term goals
• Ownership of workflows to improve efficiency, team performance, and client satisfaction

Remember, the best operations managers can be a huge win for your team. But it can sometimes be a struggle for business owners who built their business from the ground up.

At the same time, schedule consistent check-ins to keep communication open. The balance of autonomy and collaboration will help them thrive while keeping your business aligned with your vision.

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Final Thoughts: How to Hire a Cleaning Operations Manager 

Knowing how to hire a cleaning operations manager is one of the smartest moves you can make to scale your cleaning business. The right candidate will bring leadership, organization, and industry expertise that allows you to step out of day-to-day chaos and focus on leveling up.

Remember:

• Hiring takes time, so don’t rush the process
• Look for leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Write clear, compelling job descriptions
• Use scenario-based interview questions to uncover true talent
• Support your new hire with a structured onboarding plan

The right ops manager is worth the wait—and once you find them, they'll be a game-changer.

Ready to set your new operations manager up for success? Service Autopilot's cleaning software makes crew scheduling, client communication, and quality control easier than ever.

Related: How to Grow Your Cleaning Business

Published on August 22, 2025, at 3PM