Linen Supervisor | Torchora

🎯 Role Definition

The Linen Supervisor is the cornerstone of an organization's presentation and hygiene standards, playing a critical role within the hospitality or healthcare sector. This individual directs the complete laundry cycle, from the collection of soiled items to the distribution of pristine, fresh linen. More than just managing laundry, the Linen Supervisor is a leader who oversees a dedicated team, maintains sophisticated machinery, and meticulously manages inventory to ensure operational readiness at all times. This position requires a unique blend of operational prowess, strong leadership, and an unwavering commitment to quality, directly impacting guest satisfaction, patient comfort, and the overall brand image.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Linen Attendant / Laundry Attendant
Housekeeping Team Lead
Uniform Attendant

Advancement To:

Laundry Manager
Assistant Executive Housekeeper
Director of Housekeeping / Environmental Services

Lateral Moves:

Housekeeping Supervisor
Facilities Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Direct and oversee all daily activities of the linen and laundry department, ensuring a seamless and efficient workflow from sorting to finishing.
Supervise, train, and mentor a team of laundry and linen attendants, fostering a positive and productive work environment through consistent coaching and performance management.
Develop, implement, and manage employee work schedules, ensuring adequate coverage for all shifts while controlling labor expenses and overtime.
Meticulously manage and maintain accurate inventory levels of all linen, terry, and uniforms, conducting regular cycle counts and full physical inventories to prevent shortages.
Establish and enforce rigorous quality control standards, regularly inspecting finished laundry to ensure it meets the organization's criteria for cleanliness, folding, and presentation.
Coordinate the timely collection of soiled linen from guest rooms, service areas, and F&B outlets, and the subsequent distribution of clean linen according to established par levels.
Operate and maintain a deep understanding of commercial laundry equipment, including washers, dryers, ironers, and folding machines, to guide staff on proper usage.
Proactively identify and pull damaged or heavily stained linen from circulation for mending, intensive treatment, or discard, maintaining the integrity of the overall linen stock.
Monitor, order, and control the use of all laundry chemicals and cleaning supplies, ensuring safe storage and handling in compliance with safety data sheets (SDS).
Ensure the laundry facility consistently adheres to all health, safety, and sanitation regulations, including OSHA standards and internal protocols, to provide a safe working environment.
Troubleshoot operational challenges and equipment malfunctions, performing minor preventative maintenance and liaising with the Engineering department for prompt and effective repairs.
Prepare and analyze departmental reports on productivity, linen discards, chemical consumption, and labor costs for review by senior management.
Lead the pre-treatment and stain removal process, applying specialized knowledge and chemicals to salvage stained linens and minimize replacement costs.
Manage the processing of guest laundry and dry cleaning requests with precision and care, ensuring accurate billing and timely return.
Conduct daily team briefings to communicate operational priorities, safety reminders, and recognize outstanding employee contributions.

Secondary Functions

Analyze operational data, such as poundage processed per hour and utility consumption, to generate reports and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
Contribute to the development of the annual departmental budget, providing input on labor, supplies, and capital expenditure needs.
Collaborate with the Executive Housekeeper and department heads to forecast linen needs for special events, high-occupancy periods, and new initiatives.
Participate in and contribute to regular departmental and management meetings, representing the laundry operation and its strategic needs.
Stay current with industry trends, new technologies, and best practices in laundry and textile care to recommend process enhancements.
Assist in testing and evaluating new linen products, chemicals, or equipment to determine their effectiveness and potential ROI.
Champion sustainability initiatives within the department, such as water conservation and energy reduction programs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Commercial Laundry Equipment Operation: In-depth knowledge of industrial washers, dryers, flatwork ironers, and automated folding equipment.
Inventory Management Systems: Proficiency in using software and manual systems to track, control, and report on linen, terry, and uniform stock.
Chemical Handling & Safety: Comprehensive understanding of laundry chemicals, their proper application, and adherence to safety protocols (OSHA, SDS).
Quality Control Analysis: Ability to inspect textiles for quality, identifying wear, stains, and damage to enforce quality standards.
Basic Mechanical Aptitude: Skill in performing preventative maintenance and troubleshooting minor issues on laundry machinery to reduce downtime.
Budgeting & Cost Control: Ability to monitor labor, supply, and utility costs against a budget and identify areas for savings.

Soft Skills

Leadership & Team Motivation: Proven ability to lead, train, and inspire a diverse team to achieve high levels of performance and engagement.
Exceptional Attention to Detail: A meticulous eye for detail to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness, quality, and accuracy in all tasks.
Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Strong analytical skills to quickly identify operational issues, evaluate solutions, and implement effective resolutions.
Time Management & Organization: Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple competing priorities, from staff scheduling to production deadlines, in a fast-paced environment.
Clear & Effective Communication: The ability to communicate instructions, feedback, and operational updates clearly to staff, peers, and management.
Interpersonal Skills: A professional and approachable demeanor for effective conflict resolution and collaboration with other departments.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).

Preferred Education:

Associate's Degree or vocational certificate in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Hospitality Management
Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a commercial laundry or housekeeping environment.

Preferred:

At least 2 years of experience in a supervisory or team lead capacity within a large-scale hotel, resort, or healthcare laundry facility.