Laundry Operative/Manager

Laundry operatives/managers are responsible for laundering (cleaning) items such as bed linen, hospital linen, towels, restaurant table linen and chefs wear. Industrial laundries are involved in laundering items such as overalls, work wear, mats and industrial linens.

A laundry operative is responsible for sorting the items to be laundered. They are then involved in loading these into a machine or working in the finishing section of the laundry where items are dried, ironed, folded and packed.

Laundry managers are responsible for making sure all laundry staff carry out their duties. They may also be responsible for maintaining profitability, setting targets, working on the accounts, recruiting and training new staff and making sure all health and safety requirements are met.

Laundry operatives and managers usually work between 35 and 40 hours a week in shifts that may include Saturday and evening work. Part-time hours may be available. Laundries can be warm, crowded and noisy and the work can be quite physical.

Salaries may range from around £12,500 to £25,000 a year.

Laundry operatives need to be:

• fit and healthy to cope with the physical demands of the work
• able to work well within a team
• able to operate complex machinery
• able to follow instructions
• good at counting and measuring
• able to work well on their own initiative with little supervision
• interested in providing a quality service.

Laundry operatives are employed in laundries throughout the UK. Most laundries are found in urban areas. Operatives may be based in commercial or industrial laundries or those attached to a hotel, hospital or prison. Textile manufacturers and work wear rental companies may also use the services of a laundry.

There are no specific academic requirements to become a laundry operative, although literacy and numeracy skills are important. Employers look for people who are reliable, practical and willing to work to high standards.

Training usually takes place on the job. This can be delivered by experienced colleagues or specialist training providers. Many organisations offer in-house training opportunities to study for recognised qualifications, such as an NVQ in laundry operations.

With experience, laundry operatives may be promoted to a supervisory or managerial role. It may also be possible for laundry managers to become self-employed and set up their own business.

Further details