The hospitality industry tends to promote from within, valuing the hard work and dedication of those who stick with an organization long-term. This is especially true on the housekeeping team. Most housekeeping teams are managed by a Housekeeper Supervisor, who works to ensure the team is operating efficiently and to a high standard. Under that supervision, a team of housekeepers works to ensure rooms and common areas are kept clean, tidy, and up to the company’s cleanliness standards and expectations. Both roles are critical to an organization. Often, those in the supervisory role were once housekeepers themselves, having moved up as they gained experience.
Housekeeper Responsibilities
Housekeepers play a critical role in the guest experience at a hotel or extended stay facility. One of the top factors that affect guest satisfaction is cleanliness. Most people who book hotels rely on ratings and reviews from previous guests on things like cleanliness, helpfulness of staff, and amenities. Because of the high expectation for cleanliness in accommodations, the housekeeping staff works diligently to keep the facilities clean and tidy.
A large part of a housekeeper’s role involves cleaning rooms between bookings. This means stripping linens, removing trash, stocking up on toiletries, and cleaning all surfaces (including the floor). It’s not unusual for rooms to require maintenance from time to time, especially after destructive guests. So, housekeepers must also note anything that appears broken or needing maintenance. They then report these instances to management along with any suspicious guests or unsafe conditions they notice, so the proper solution can be implemented.
Laundry is also a big part of the daily routine of a housekeeper. The team washes guest room linen and sometimes guest laundry if the facility offers that service. Housekeepers also must keep the laundry room clean, tidy, and stocked with supplies – noting any needs to the Housekeeper Supervisor. If the establishment offers common areas, such as lounges or meeting rooms, members of the housekeeping team aid in keeping these spaces clean as well.
Housekeeper Supervisor Responsibilities
While a Housekeeper Supervisor may step in occasionally to clean rooms when the team is busy, they most often come in once a room is cleaned to inspect its condition and cleanliness. These team leaders also regularly monitor common areas and the areas outside the facility to ensure cleanliness throughout the entire accommodation. When members of their team report maintenance issues with any rooms or common spaces, supervisors see that repairs are made and any major issue is reported to management.
Many establishments rely on the Housekeeper Supervisor to keep cleaning and maintenance supplies stocked. This involves regular inventory and proper reporting procedures for staff so leaders know when a need arises. Also, Housekeeper Supervisors create and maintain relationships with vendors and manage the ordering process for supplies – often on a weekly basis. Alongside the General Manager and maintenance team, the supervisor also partners with external contractors when maintenance issues arise that aren’t fixable in-house.
A big task of a Housekeeper Supervisor is scheduling, as they must ensure the facility is fully staffed based on the number of guests checking out each day. Along with this, they assign responsibilities to each team member and follow up with them to ensure they are completed. An important part of staffing a great housekeeping team is hiring the right people. Supervisors often aid managers in recruiting, hiring, and training individuals for the housekeeping department.
How to Move Into a Role as A Housekeeper Supervisor
It’s pretty obvious the amount of overlap between the roles of a Housekeeper and a Housekeeper Supervisor. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that most employers looking to hire a Supervisor for their housekeeping team look for candidates with experience as a Housekeeper. Having that experience is valuable for someone about to manage others performing the role. Relevant experience isn’t limited to only previous housekeeping roles. Any position that requires organization, attention to detail, and teamwork is great preparation for someone looking to be a Housekeeper Supervisor.
For those currently in a housekeeping role, what steps does it take to move up in the team? It starts with a conversation with management. Express your interest in a supervisory role and ask what preparation you could work on in order to be considered in the event a position becomes available. From there, start asking to contribute in more ways to the success of the team. Managers value employees that not only excel at their role but also look for ways to help the organization as a whole succeed.
Looking for a New Hospitality Role?
Whether you are looking for a supervisory role or want to break into the hospitality industry at the ground level, finding a role that fits starts with exploring what is out there. To make it easier, we keep a database of all of our current opportunities throughout the United States. The database is updated daily, easy to search, and we make it a breeze to apply once you find the perfect role.
When interviewing for a Housekeeping position, be it entry-level or management, remember that all hospitality circles back to guest satisfaction. Express your desire to work as a team to create the best guest experience for everyone staying at the accommodation. That, combined with some enthusiasm and attention to detail is sure to result in a spot on the team and an opportunity to move up as you gain experience!