Utility Cleaner

Utility Cleaner Lead — Graveyard Shift

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Utility Cleaner Lead to keep our commercial kitchen, dish area, and back-of-house spaces clean, safe, and organized during the overnight graveyard shift. The ideal candidate has hands-on cleaning experience in a commercial kitchen and previous leadership experience. This person will lead by example, assign and follow up on cleaning tasks, and help the team maintain consistent sanitation standards after service.

Responsibilities

• Lead, assign, and support utility and cleaning team members throughout the overnight shift.

• Set cleaning priorities, monitor progress, and verify that assigned tasks are completed thoroughly and on time.

• Train team members on cleaning procedures, safe chemical use, equipment handling, and sanitation practices.

• Clean and sanitize floors, walls, doors, drains, baseboards, and other kitchen surfaces.

• Sweep and mop kitchen floors, keeping walkways and work areas free of standing water, grease, debris, and slip hazards.

• Remove and clean floor mats, and allow them to dry before returning them to service.

• Clean and sanitize sinks, handwashing stations, dish tables, counters, and food-contact surfaces as assigned.

• Clean the dish area, including dish machines, dish racks, spray arms, curtains, filters, and surrounding surfaces according to procedure.

• Clean ovens, ranges, grills, griddles, fryers, broilers, salamanders, and other kitchen equipment using approved procedures and products.

• Clean refrigerators, freezers, walk-in coolers, shelves, gaskets, handles, and exterior surfaces. Follow instructions for interior cleaning or work near food.

• Clean hoods, filters, and accessible areas of ventilation equipment according to the cleaning schedule and safety procedures.

• Clean shelves, speed racks, carts, storage areas, and the exterior of small equipment.

• Empty and clean trash, recycling, and compost containers; replace liners and keep waste areas orderly.

• Clean and sanitize restrooms, employee areas, and other assigned back-of-house spaces.

• Keep cleaning tools, mops, buckets, squeegees, and brushes clean, organized, and stored in their designated areas.

• Prepare and use cleaning solutions according to label directions. Never mix chemicals, and use required protective equipment.

• Report damaged equipment, plumbing issues, leaks, pest activity, low cleaning supplies, and other safety or maintenance concerns to a manager.

• Follow cleaning schedules, checklists, chemical procedures, and food-safety requirements.

• Communicate clearly with kitchen leadership and team members, and perform other related utility duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Previous cleaning experience in a commercial kitchen is required.

• Previous leadership, shift-lead, or supervisory experience is required.

• Knowledge of commercial kitchen cleaning methods and safe chemical handling.

• Ability to follow written cleaning schedules and complete tasks with attention to detail.

• Strong communication, organization, and time-management skills.

• Availability to work the overnight graveyard shift, including weekends and holidays as scheduled.

• Ability to work on your feet for extended periods and safely lift, carry, push, and pull supplies or equipment.

• Ability to work in a kitchen environment with heat, water, cleaning products, and frequent movement.