Director of Custodial & Grounds

Director of Custodial & Grounds

Garten Services, Inc. – Salem, OR

Motus Recruiting and Staffing is proud to partner with Garten Services in its search for a Director of Custodial & Grounds

OVERVIEW OF THE DIRECTOR OF CUSTODIAL & GROUNDS

The Director of Custodial & Grounds will lead Garten Services’ custodial and grounds operations, ensuring high-quality service delivery while advancing the organization’s mission of creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this leader will oversee multi-site custodial operations across Salem and Eugene, managing a team of supervisors and managers while supporting more than 75 frontline employees.

This newly created role comes at a pivotal time for Garten as the organization continues to strengthen its operational infrastructure and unify teams across locations. The Director will play a critical role in standardizing processes, improving operational efficiency, and implementing industry best practices in commercial custodial services.

In addition to operational leadership, this position will serve as a key partner in customer engagement, contract oversight, and workforce development, ensuring that custodial and grounds programs deliver exceptional service while fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.

Job Location: Salem, Oregon

DIRECT HIRE!

Salary: $95k – 110k, DOE

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Operational Leadership

• Lead custodial and grounds operations across multiple sites, ensuring consistent service delivery, operational efficiency, and adherence to quality standards.
• Standardize operational processes and implement industry best practices across Salem and Eugene teams.
• Oversee workforce planning, scheduling, training, and service delivery to ensure effective daily operations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations including OSHA, ADA, wage and hour requirements, and safety standards.

Service Delivery & Client Engagement

• Strengthen relationships with key customers, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Oversee quality assurance programs, service standards, and preventative maintenance processes.
• Address service issues or client concerns quickly while maintaining high performance standards.
• Monitor operational performance metrics such as service completion rates, response times, and customer satisfaction.

Strategic Planning & Financial Management

• Manage departmental budgets and financial performance for custodial and grounds operations.
• Provide oversight on project pricing, job costing, and contract scope adjustments.
• Forecast operational needs and recommend strategic investments in staffing, equipment, and resources.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting metrics to track operational performance.

Team Leadership & Workforce Development

• Lead and mentor a team of managers and supervisors supporting more than 75 frontline employees.
• Partner with HR to implement onboarding, training, and performance management programs.
• Support employee development and succession planning for key operational roles.
• Foster a supportive, inclusive workplace aligned with Garten’s mission.

Operational Improvement & Growth

• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs.
• Help implement systems, processes, and SOPs that support long-term scalability.
• Evaluate operational feasibility of new business opportunities and service expansions.

WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR

Professional Experience

• 7–10+ years of progressive leadership experience within commercial custodial, janitorial, facilities services, or building services operations.
• Proven experience managing multi-site custodial or facilities operations with responsibility for service delivery, staffing, and operational performance.
• Strong knowledge of commercial cleaning programs, floor maintenance, custodial best practices, and industry standards.
• Experience implementing operational improvements, standardizing processes, and improving efficiency within service-based operations.
• Familiarity with pricing models, job costing, and contract management within custodial or facilities services.

Leadership Background

• Experience managing supervisors, managers, and frontline operational teams in a service-based environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through organizational change, process improvements, or operational transformation.
• Strong customer relationship and account management skills.
• Experience building strong relationships across executive leadership, operations teams, and frontline employees.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Subject matter expert in commercial custodial operations who brings both operational discipline and a passion for the work.
• A leader who can connect with employees across all levels of experience and background.
• Someone motivated by mission-driven work and creating meaningful employment opportunities.
• Comfortable balancing operational leadership with customer engagement and long-term operational improvement initiatives.

Additional Leadership & Business Expectations

• Demonstrated financial and operational acumen, including ownership of budgets, forecasting, job costing, and operational decision-making tied to business performance.
• Experience managing high-level customer and external business relationships within a service-based environment, with the ability to build credibility, navigate challenges, and maintain strong partnerships.
• Proven ability to contribute strategically to business operations by improving efficiency, supporting growth, managing costs, and driving strong customer outcomes.
• Ability to operate as a business partner and operational leader, not solely as a facilities or custodial subject matter expert.

ABOUT GARTEN SERVICES, INC

Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Salem, Oregon, Garten Services is a mission-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Through vocational programs, community employment services, and social enterprise businesses, Garten empowers people to build careers, develop skills, and contribute to their communities while increasing awareness of the potential of individuals of all abilities.

In addition to its workforce development programs, Garten operates several purpose-driven business services throughout the Willamette Valley, including custodial services, landscaping, electronics recycling, document destruction, and print and mail operations. These enterprises allow the organization to deliver high-quality services to local businesses while directly supporting employment opportunities for hundreds of individuals with disabilities across the region.

About Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc.

Founded in 2006, Motus is an award-winning recruiting and staffing firm in the Pacific Northwest, specializing in professional services and technology solutions. We are a group of people who recognize the importance of representation and actively fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment process. Our goal is to educate organizations on the importance of DEI when hiring, promoting, and supporting diverse employees. We are calling organizations to demonstrate their commitment to DEI by being intentional about whom they hire. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, or protected veteran status.

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