📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Account Specialist - 6 month contract
🔹 Company: Scandinavian Building Services
🔹 Location: Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Contract
🔹 Category: Facilities Services
🔹 Date Posted: April 22, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (onsite and remote work)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing a mixed client portfolio of 8 sites across Newmarket, Keswick, Alliston, Bradford, Orangeville, and Bolton
- Conducting weekly site visits and overnight travel once a quarter
- Fostering strong relationships with key clients and store managers
- Handling personnel issues for hourly cleaners and owner operators
- Managing operational activity planning, KPI monitoring, and financial administration
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Conducting site visits at store locations to ensure compliance with safety and customer service standards
✅ Creating and fostering strong relationships with key clients and store managers, handling all complaints or issues promptly
✅ Managing personnel issues for hourly cleaners and owner operators, including scheduling, conflicts, hiring, training, performance management, and disciplinary action
✅ Managing operational activity planning, directing, organizing, and controlling all activities in assigned locations to ensure full completion of scope of work
✅ Monitoring and managing client-specific KPIs to ensure they are met or exceeded
✅ Managing invoice control, budget, profit, and reconciliation of all accounts on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a significant amount of travel and may require working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of management experience
Required Skills:
- Experience delivering client-focused solutions to customer needs
- Excellent communication and critical thinking skills
- Strong problem-solving and delegation skills
- General understanding of financial principles, including budgeting and profitability
- Reliable vehicle and valid driver's license in good standing
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the facilities services industry
- Bilingual (English/French) skills
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in account management, customer service, or a related field may find this role particularly suitable.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000 CAD per year (pro-rated for 6-month contract)
Benefits:
- Comprehensive medical plan
- Dental plan
- Personal days off
Working Hours: Business hours are Monday to Friday 8am - 4:30pm with flexibility needed as business needs fluctuate
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications and company policies.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Scandinavian Building Services is a national leader in providing janitorial services, with a strong presence in the facilities services industry.
Company Size: With over 8,000 cleaning professionals and a presence in multiple locations across Canada, Scandinavian Building Services is a large organization that offers numerous growth opportunities for employees.
Founded: Established in 1956, the company has been owned and operated by the Hay family since 1982.
Company Description:
- Scandinavian Building Services is committed to providing high-quality janitorial services to a wide range of clients, including retail, commercial, and public sector facilities.
- The company takes a customer-centric approach to business and strives to create long-lasting partnerships with its clients.
- Scandinavian Building Services uses technology, such as its proprietary QA/QC software called ScandiTRAC, to gather analytic information and meet individual customer and site-specific needs.
Company Specialties:
- Janitorial services
- Commercial cleaning
- Retail janitorial
- Construction cleanup
- Public sector facilities maintenance
- Facility maintenance
- Special services (e.g., parking lot maintenance, pressure washing, high dusting, snow removal, steam cleaning, stone care, concrete care)
Company Website: http://www.scandinavian.ca
ASSUMPTION: Scandinavian Building Services is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the facilities services industry. Its commitment to customer service and innovative use of technology make it an attractive employer for individuals seeking a career in this field.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is suitable for experienced professionals seeking a mid-level management position in the facilities services industry.
Reporting Structure: The Account Specialist reports directly to the Regional Director.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with a mix of onsite and remote work. The Account Specialist is expected to conduct weekly site visits and overnight travel once a quarter.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a permanent full-time position
- Advancement to a regional management or senior leadership role
- Expanding responsibilities and portfolio size
ASSUMPTION: This role offers numerous opportunities for professional growth and development within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: The Account Specialist will work from various client sites and may have the option to work remotely when not conducting site visits.
Office Location(s): Newmarket, Keswick, Alliston, Bradford, Orangeville, and Bolton
Geographic Context:
- Newmarket is a city in York Region, Ontario, with a population of approximately 84,000 people.
- The surrounding areas, such as Keswick, Alliston, Bradford, Orangeville, and Bolton, are primarily rural communities with populations ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 residents.
- The region offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with easy access to major highways and amenities.
Work Schedule: Business hours are Monday to Friday 8am - 4:30pm, with flexibility needed as business needs fluctuate. The role may require working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
ASSUMPTION: The Account Specialist should be comfortable with frequent travel and working flexible hours to meet the needs of the business and clients.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- 20-minute preliminary phone interview with the Recruiter
- 20-40 minute assessment (depending on optional practice questions or breaks)
- 30-minute MS Teams video interview with the Hiring Manager and direct Supervisor for the role
Key Assessment Areas:
- Problem-solving skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Customer service orientation
- Adaptability and flexibility
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant management experience and customer service skills in your resume
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and how your skills and experience make you a strong fit
- Prepare examples of your problem-solving skills and ability to manage personnel issues
ATS Keywords: Account management, client relationships, site visits, personnel management, operational planning, KPI monitoring, financial administration, customer service, problem-solving, delegation, flexibility
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should focus on demonstrating their relevant experience and skills in their application materials and be prepared to discuss their problem-solving approach and customer service philosophy during the interview.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel)
- ScandiTRAC (proprietary QA/QC software)
- Various software platforms and applications for managing operational activities and KPIs
ASSUMPTION: The Account Specialist should be comfortable using various software platforms and applications to manage operational activities and KPIs effectively.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Service
- Motivate
- Respect
- Connect
Work Style:
- Customer-focused
- Adaptable and flexible
- Results-driven
- Collaborative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of delivering exceptional customer service in a management role?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with frequent travel?
- Do you possess strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should carefully consider their fit with the company's values and work style when applying for this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a large portfolio of clients and sites effectively
- Balancing the demands of onsite and remote work
- Adapting to the unique needs and requirements of each client
- Handling personnel issues and conflicts professionally and promptly
ASSUMPTION: The Account Specialist should be prepared to face these challenges and have a solid plan in place to address them effectively.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other account management roles, this position requires frequent travel and overnight stays once a quarter
- This role offers a unique opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients across multiple industries
- Career progression in this role may lead to regional management or senior leadership positions within the organization
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider the unique aspects of this role and how it compares to other account management positions in the facilities services industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new operational plan for a client site to improve efficiency and reduce costs
- Managing a complex client complaint or issue and ensuring a satisfactory resolution
- Coaching and training owner operators to improve their performance and meet client-specific KPIs
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for the Account Specialist role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does the company support work-life balance for employees in this role?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the organization?
- How does the company measure success for this role, and what KPIs are most important?
- What is the company's approach to managing personnel issues and conflicts, and how does this role fit into that framework?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and the company's culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link: https://scandinavian-building-services.breezy.hr/p/5e726f9facdb-account-specialist-6-month-contract
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant management experience and customer service skills
- Write a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and how your skills and experience make you a strong fit
- Prepare examples of your problem-solving skills and ability to manage personnel issues
- Follow up with the Recruiter one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
