Laundry supervisors work in a variety of settings, from industrial laundering companies to nursing homes and self-serve laundromats. As such, their exact duties differ from business to business. As a general rule, laundry supervisors must be able to work long hours on their feet, have strong attention to detail, be able to motivate others, and be adept at resolving conflict.

Job Responsibilities

A laundry supervisor must make sure all the machines are running smoothly, that all employees are doing their jobs properly and that customers are satisfied. If she works in a commercial laundry, she ensures that items are thoroughly cleaned and ready for delivery in a timely manner. In a hospital or nursing home, she's responsible for collecting linens, inspecting them for wear and tear, cleaning them and returning them. She also ensures that every resident or patient has an adequate supply of linens and towels. She sees to it that the laundry area itself is clean and safe. She may make small repairs to the washers and dryers and refer larger issues to maintenance. She might also be in charge of hiring, training and scheduling employees.

Qualifications

The exact requirements to become a laundry supervisor vary from one employer to the next. Many will likely require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Professional experience working for a laundromat or laundry service is also helpful. To enhance your job prospects, professional certifications are available. For example, the Association for Linen Management offers the Certified Laundry and Linen Managers certification.