Central Laundry Operations Manager

Company Type: Laundry Services Chain – B2B & B2C

Job Purpose

The Central Laundry Operations Manager is responsible for managing the entire central laundry operation, including production, maintenance, engineering, quality, chemicals, textiles, utilities, inventory, budgets, and people. The role ensures maximum productivity, premium service quality, high equipment availability, and continuous cost optimization while minimizing waste and downtime.

Operational Responsibilities

·        Lead all production activities and achieve daily throughput targets.

·        Plan production schedules and optimize workflow.

·        Ensure on-time delivery and customer SLA compliance.

·        Monitor wash quality, finishing quality, and packing standards.

·        Reduce waste, rewash, textile damage, and production bottlenecks.

·        Implement Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.

Maintenance & Engineering Responsibilities

·        Manage preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.

·        Maximize equipment uptime and reduce breakdowns.

·        Supervise maintenance of tunnel washers, washer extractors, dryers, ironers, folders, boilers, steam systems, compressors, RO systems, water softeners, conveyors, chemical dosing systems, and packing equipment.

·        Maintain spare parts inventory and maintenance documentation.

·        Perform root-cause analysis and implement permanent corrective actions.

·        Plan equipment upgrades, refurbishments, and capital replacement.

Chemical, Textile & Materials Management

·        Select premium or cost-effective detergents, bleaches, enzymes, disinfectants, softeners, and specialty chemicals.

·        Optimize chemical consumption without compromising quality.

·        Develop wash formulas for different textile types.

·        Manage supplier evaluations and procurement recommendations.

People Leadership Responsibilities

·        Lead production supervisors, maintenance supervisors, engineers, technicians, warehouse teams, quality inspectors, and shift leaders.

·        Recruit, train, coach, and develop employees.

·        Conduct performance evaluations and succession planning.

·        Manage workforce planning and productivity.

·        Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Financial Responsibilities

·        Prepare and manage annual operating and maintenance budgets.

·        Control labor, utilities, maintenance, chemical, and textile replacement costs.

·        Monitor cost per kilogram processed and identify savings opportunities.

Required Qualifications

·        Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Textile Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.

·        Minimum 8 years of industrial/commercial laundry experience.

·        Minimum 5 years in a leadership role managing a central laundry facility.

·        Strong knowledge of industrial laundry machinery, maintenance, textile care, chemicals, utilities, quality systems, and budget management.

Key Performance Indicators

·        Production output

·        Equipment uptime

·        Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

·        Rewash rate

·        Customer complaints

·        Cost per kg

·        Water, energy and chemical consumption

·        Preventive maintenance compliance

·        Safety performance

·        Budget adherence