Operations & Contracts Manager

Job Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Operations & Contracts Manager to lead our operational activities and oversee contract management processes. This pivotal role involves coordinating project execution, negotiating agreements, and ensuring compliance with organizational standards. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, exceptional organizational skills, and a proactive approach to managing multiple projects simultaneously. Join us to drive operational excellence and foster strategic partnerships that propel our organization forward.

Operations & Contracts Manager

Proactive Cleaners Ltd | Burnham, SL1
Full-Time, Permanent
Monday–Friday + Saturday half-day | 45–48 hrs/week | 8:00am–6:00pm

About Proactive Cleaners

Proactive Cleaners is a fast-growing commercial cleaning division of Proactive Group, delivering cleaning, specialist services and facilities support across London and the South East.

Due to continued expansion, we're recruiting an experienced, hands-on Operations & Contracts Manager to run multi-site delivery, own a portfolio of client contracts, and take full accountability for warehouse, fleet, and equipment efficiency.

This is a leadership role with a genuine path into Senior Operations Manager / Operations Director, reporting directly on performance against a structured KPI framework.

This is a hands-on operational role requiring regular site presence, team engagement and practical understanding of cleaning delivery.

The role requires travel between client sites across London and the South East, including staff training, inductions and mobilisation activities.

The Role

You'll own end-to-end delivery across your contract portfolio — service quality, profitability, compliance, and client retention — while ensuring the operational backbone (staff, fleet, warehouse, systems) runs efficiently enough to support a scaling business.

You will be measured against clear KPIs, not just "keeping things running."

Regular site visits across client locations are required.

Key ResponsibilitiesContracts & Client Management

• Own a portfolio of client contracts end-to-end — SLA achievement, retention, renewal, and profitability
• Lead site surveys, quotations, mobilisations, and client sign-off
• Build trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders
• Manage complaints, compliments, and identify upsell opportunities within existing contracts
• Report on contract-level margin, labour %, and material %

Operations & Service Delivery

• Oversee daily cleaning operations across multiple commercial sites to SLA/KPI standard
• Run scheduling via Jobber — minimise overdue jobs and maximise scheduling efficiency
• Conduct quality audits, track snag/defect rates, and close out issues at source (not firefighting)
• Own reactive response times and first-time completion rates
• Support delivery of specialist cleaning projects and one-off works

Warehouse, Fleet & Equipment

• Full accountability for warehouse stock, consumables, and equipment condition
• Manage company vehicles — servicing, mileage, compliance, and utilisation
• Maintain scrubber dryers, vacuums, pressure washers and other machinery to operational standard
• Specify operational purchasing requirements and control equipment costs
• Ensure staff are trained in the safe and correct use of equipment

People & Performance

• Manage rotas, workforce planning, and labour utilisation across sites
• Supervise, train, and performance-manage supervisors and operatives
• Deliver site inductions, operational training and ongoing team coaching
• Own staff turnover, absence, overtime, and training compliance within your teams
• Support recruitment and onboarding
• Create a professional, accountable and positive team culture

Compliance & Standards

• Ensure RAMS, H&S actions, and statutory compliance are current across all sites
• Support ISO 9001/14001/45001 audit performance
• Maintain audit-ready standards at all times

What This Role Is Not

To keep the function scalable, this role does not routinely chase unpaid invoices, run payroll, generate new sales leads, or handle routine HR admin — those sit with Finance, Sales, and HR respectively.

Your job is to run a tight, accountable operation, not absorb every adjacent task.

What We're Looking For

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in commercial cleaning operations, with proven responsibility for multiple sites
• Proven contract ownership — not just supervision
• Strong people leadership and a track record of hitting KPIs
• Working knowledge of cleaning equipment, fleet, and warehouse management
• Confident running client meetings and audits
• Solid grasp of H&S regulations
• Full UK Driving Licence

Desirable: BICS, PASMA, IPAF, BESA

Why Join

• Clear structure with real progression to Senior Operations Manager / Operations Director
• Ownership of a client portfolio and measurable KPIs — not just tasks
• Supportive, proactive leadership team
• Company pension
• On-site parking

Good Clear communication essential

Application question(s):

• Do you have at least 5 years' experience managing commercial cleaning operations across multiple client sites?

Have you personally owned and managed commercial cleaning contracts, including responsibility for service delivery, client relationships, profitability and KPIs?

How many commercial cleaning sites have you managed simultaneously?

Do you hold a full UK driving licence?

Are you willing and able to travel regularly across London and the South East?

Do you have experience managing supervisors and cleaning operatives, including recruitment, training and performance management?

Which of the following have you been directly responsible for? (Select all that apply.)

Multi-site operations

Client contract management

Warehouse management

Fleet management

Scheduling software (Jobber or similar)

Budget/P&L responsibility

Health & Safety compliance

ISO audits

Work Location: In person

Pay: £32,000.00-£36,000.00 per year

Experience:

• Cleaning contract Management: 1 year (required)
• personally owned/managed commercial cleaning contracts : 1 year (required)

Language:

• English (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)
• Right to work (required)

Work Location: In person