Estate Head Housekeeper

**Job Overview**
The Head Housekeeper will oversee the housekeeping duties across all the estate properties, including Penicuik House, all letting properties, staff properties and Old Penicuik House, ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and presentation. This role involves searching for, interviewing and selecting housekeeping team members, inducting and training, whilst maintaining a strong focus on guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

**Responsibilities**

**i. Leadership & Team Management**
- Lead, motivate, and supervise the housekeeping team, ensuring a positive, productive, and professional working environment.
- Ensure the team delivers high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and guest service at all times.
- Conduct training and development for housekeeping staff to improve performance, standards, and productivity.
- Organize team schedules and manage daily staffing levels based on occupancy and guest needs.
- Perform regular staff performance reviews and provide constructive feedback.

**ii Operational Oversight**
- Ensure all guest rooms, public areas, and back-of-house areas meet the expected and stated cleanliness standards.
- Oversee the preparation of guest accommodation and public spaces to the expected standard, with meticulous attention to detail.
- Implement and manage effective cleaning schedules and deep-cleaning/rotation schedules.
- Monitor inventory of cleaning supplies and linen, ensuring adequate stock levels while minimizing waste, reordering as necessary.
- Coordinate with the maintenance department, report and follow up on any issues or repairs that need attention.
- Coordinate and control all internal plants, flowers and botanicals including dried items where appropriate.

**iii Guest Satisfaction & Quality Control**
- Ensure that housekeeping services consistently exceed guest expectations.
- Regularly inspect guest rooms and public areas for cleanliness, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.
- Handle guest questions, complaints or special requests regarding housekeeping services promptly and professionally.
- Ensure that lost and found items are logged, stored, and returned in accordance with hotel policy.

**iv Health & Safety Compliance**
- Adhere to and ensure staff compliance with hotel health and safety policies and procedures, including hygiene and infection control protocols.
- Conduct regular risk assessments and take proactive steps to mitigate fire, health and safety risks.
- Ensure proper use of cleaning chemicals and equipment, maintaining high standards of hygiene while minimizing environmental impact.

**v Budget & Inventory Management**
- Assist with the budgeting process for the housekeeping department, including forecasting of staff, linen, and supplies.
- Control and monitor housekeeping expenses, ensuring that costs stay within budget.
- Oversee the ordering, storage, and usage of cleaning supplies and guest room amenities.
- Manage linen and uniform stock, ensuring items are properly maintained, replaced, and stored.

Essential Qualifications & Skills

**Experience**
- Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in a housekeeping role, with at least 1-2 years in a supervisory or management capacity, preferably in Scotland in a luxury, boutique, rural hotel setting.
- Experience in managing a team, training staff, and coordinating departmental operations.
- Knowledge of cleaning standards and health and safety regulations in the hospitality industry.
- Proven track record of maintaining high standards of cleanliness and guest satisfaction.

**Skills & Competencies**
- Strong leadership and team management skills, to lead by example with a positive and a can-do attitude.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Detail-oriented with a high standard of quality control and expectations. Attention to detail and an eye for quality and style.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficient in the use of housekeeping management software or property management systems (PMS).
- Strong knowledge of inventory control and procurement processes.

**Physical Requirements**
- The role requires physical stamina, as it may involve standing for long periods, lifting, bending, and walking around the premises on the estate.

**Education and basic skills**
- Literate, numerate and eloquent to a reasonable standard.

Working Conditions:

- Hours:

- The position requires flexibility. Depending on the business's operational needs, employees may work evenings, weekends, and holidays. The number of hours worked will average about 48 per week over the year, with time off when business levels naturally reduce.
- Place of work: The position requires attendance in all properties on the estate and this requires flexibility to be wherever there is the need for housekeeping services.
- Travel:

- Occasional local travel for training, meetings, or events may be required.
- Remuner