Janitorial SME & Vendor Relations Manager

The selected candidate must reside in the US and reside within the Central, Mountain, or Pacific Time Zone

Travel Requirement: Travel is required (30-50%) for site visits, inspections, and vendor support across portfolio locations.

What this job involves: The Janitorial / Custodial SME & Vendor Relations Manager combines deep cleaning operations expertise with strategic sourcing and vendor management capabilities, serving as the technical authority and category specialist for janitorial and custodial services supporting a dedicated client account or portfolio. You'll leverage both operational field knowledge and procurement execution skills to drive consistency, cost control, quality, and sustainable practices across distributed facilities. The position requires you to serve as the primary subject matter expert for janitorial operations including day porter services, floor care, restroom sanitation, waste management, specialty cleaning, and disinfection protocols while developing comprehensive scopes of work that align with best practices and client needs. You'll own and manage janitorial quality assurance platforms and inspection tools, ensuring Facility Managers are properly trained and driving consistent technology adoption across the portfolio. The role involves developing and leading RFP/RFQ processes for janitorial services, analyzing vendor proposals, and supporting procurement teams through vendor selection and contract execution. You'll define key performance indicators, conduct regular site inspections and vendor audits, and drive corrective actions for underperforming vendors while maintaining compliance with client standards and regulatory guidelines. This position demands consistent availability during standard business hours with reliable technology access for real-time responsiveness through phone, email, and video collaboration to support time-sensitive client needs.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for janitorial and custodial operations, developing comprehensive scopes of work including frequency schedules, task specifications, quality standards, and performance expectations aligned with industry best practices and client needs
• Own and manage janitorial quality assurance platforms and inspection tools, ensuring JLL Facility Managers are properly trained through development of training materials, user guides, and standard operating procedures while monitoring platform utilization
• Develop and lead RFP/RFQ processes for janitorial services including bid specifications, pricing structures, evaluation criteria, and appropriate pricing models aligned with service scope and facility characteristics
• Conduct regular site inspections and vendor performance audits to assess cleaning quality, compliance with specifications, evaluate performance against KPIs and service level agreements, and drive corrective actions for underperforming vendors
• Establish performance-based janitorial standards and quality benchmarks using industry frameworks, create site tiering models based on facility characteristics, and standardize service delivery models across regions and vendors
• Analyze janitorial service data to identify trends, optimize resource allocation, benchmark pricing and service delivery across portfolio locations, and identify cost savings opportunities including labor productivity and service frequency adjustments
• Support drafting and execution of janitorial service contracts, review existing contracts to identify scope deficiencies or misalignments, and monitor contract lifecycle milestones including service adjustments, renewals, and amendments
• Provide expert recommendations on cleaning methods, chemicals, equipment, technologies, and green cleaning programs while staying current on industry trends, innovations, and regulations including OSHA, EPA, and CDC guidelines
• Partner with Facilities Management, Operations, Procurement, Finance, and Environmental Health & Safety teams to translate operational needs into technical procurement requirements and drive program success
• Conduct site walks, assessments, and inspections across portfolio locations to validate vendor performance through field observations, support issue resolution at site level, and provide insights to improve program design and execution
  
  

Required qualifications:

• 5 years of professional experience in commercial janitorial operations, facilities management, or related services
• Strong technical knowledge of cleaning methods, chemicals, equipment, floor care, infection control, and sanitation practices
• Experience with vendor performance management and quality assurance processes
• Ability to develop scopes of work, service specifications, and quality standards
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel for data analysis
• Willingness to travel 20-40% for site visits, inspections, and vendor support
  
  

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) from four-year college or university
• Experience in facilities management, property management, or Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) environment
• Knowledge of contract administration and vendor negotiation
• Experience developing and implementing janitorial quality standards and audit programs
• Experience with janitorial quality management platforms and inspection tools
• Professional certifications in facilities management or cleaning industry including CIMS, ISSA CMI, CBSE, or CFM
• Knowledge of green cleaning standards including Green Seal or LEED cleaning requirements
• Experience with JLL procurement systems including Jaggaer, Aravo, or Corrigo