Job Summary
Executive Housekeeping Manager required for a Beachfront Hotel in the East London region. The Executive Housekeeper at this beachfront property will be responsible for the overall hygiene, aesthetic maintenance, and operational efficiency of 180 guest rooms and extensive conferencing facilities. This role requires a leader capable of managing a high-occupancy coastal environment where the logistics of humidity management, high-volume laundry, and rapid conference room turnover are critical to success. Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership: Direct all Housekeeping and Laundry operations across 175 guest rooms, apartments, and public spaces, ensuring they meet specific coastal maintenance protocols and the property's brand standards. Conference & Events Support: Coordinate the cleaning and rapid turnaround of extensive conference facilities catering to up to 800 delegates, ensuring all venues are reset to specific floor plans and hygiene standards between sessions. Laundry & Linen Management: Manage the on-site laundry facility to handle high volumes of linen and toweling, ensuring par levels are maintained despite the corrosive coastal air and high occupancy demands. Coastal Asset Protection: Implement specialized cleaning and maintenance schedules to protect furniture, fixtures, and equipment from salt air corrosion and high-humidity environmental factors. Financial Management: Formulate and monitor the annual Housekeeping budget; control labor costs and supply inventories to ensure maximum efficiency without compromising cleanliness. Staff Development: Recruit, train, and supervise a team of room attendants and housemen, focusing on productivity, technical skills, and the discipline required for high-volume turnover. Health & Safety Compliance: Ensure all chemical handling and cleaning procedures comply with South African health and safety regulations, particularly regarding the sanitation of public areas and food and beverage outlets. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Room Readiness: Achieve a 98% or higher "Ready on Time" rate for check-in, particularly during peak leisure periods and large-scale corporate events. Audit Scores: Maintain a minimum score of 85% in both internal brand audits and external quality inspections. Cost Per Occupied Room: Maintain supply and chemical costs within a specific target per room, ensuring zero waste in inventory management. Laundry Efficiency: Monitor and reduce linen replacement costs by 10% through improved chemical dosage and handling protocols. Public Area Condition: Zero guest complaints regarding the cleanliness or odor of public spaces and conference venues. Staff Productivity: Maintain a specific rooms-per-man-hour target aligned with the property’s occupancy fluctuations. Minimum Requirements Experience: A minimum of 5 years of Housekeeping leadership in a mid-to-large scale 3 or 4-star hotel environment, specifically with experience in high-volume conferencing properties. Education: Diploma or Degree in Hospitality Management; advanced certifications in Housekeeping Operations are highly desirable. Technical Skills: Proficiency in Property Management Systems (PMS) such as Opera or Protel; expert knowledge of laundry machinery and bulk chemical management. Environmental Knowledge: Proven experience in managing coastal properties, with specific knowledge of salt-air maintenance and humidity control. Communication: Fluent in English; proficiency in isiXhosa or other local languages is a significant advantage for effective staff communication & management.