i'd like to run CCleaner on a schedule to run in the background (not visible) automatically - is this possible? would be nice to implement something like this company wide via GPO or another method.

yes, you can use scheduler but that simply brings up the interface - on a schedule - which is not all that helpful.

let me know if you happen to know of a way to make this possible. thanks.

Have a look at the command line parameters section in the beginners guide: http://www.internetrotsyourbrain.com/ccleanerbeginnersguide/