Sanitation team leader

About Us

At Firebrand Artisan Breads, we’re united by purpose, driven by service, and dedicated to craft. From our fast-growing wholesale bakery to our vibrant café, we create world-class breads and pastries while building real opportunities for people from all walks of life. Join a team where your work matters — in the kitchen, in the community, and beyond.

Position Summary

The Sanitation Team Leader plays a critical role in maintaining the highest standards of food safety, cleanliness, and regulatory compliance across our production facility. This is a working leadership position responsible for leading daily sanitation operations, coaching team members, and upholding our commitment to SQF-certified food safety practices. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of food safety protocols, GMP standards, and the discipline to drive accountability across a team in a fast-paced production environment.

Food Safety & SQF Responsibilities

Food safety is at the core of this role. The Sanitation Team Leader is expected to:

• Demonstrate working knowledge of SQF (Safe Quality Food) standards and support ongoing SQF compliance and certification efforts.
• Ensure all sanitation activities align with SSOP (Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures), GMP guidelines, and FDA/CDFA regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate and complete daily cleaning logs, deep cleaning records, and audit-ready documentation — non-negotiable.
• Oversee proper use, dilution, and handling of cleaning chemicals per SDS and Cal/OSHA requirements.
• Lead pre-operational sanitation checks to ensure equipment and surfaces meet food safety standards prior to production.
• Identify and escalate any food safety risks, contamination concerns, or equipment issues immediately.
• Support internal and third-party food safety audits by maintaining inspection-ready standards at all times.
• Participate in and facilitate ongoing SQF education and team training as our food safety program evolves.

Core Responsibilities

• Supervise day-to-day performance and quality of work completed by sanitation team members.
• Train new team members using Firebrand’s standardized training procedures and checklists.
• Lead daily pre-shift meetings to assign responsibilities, communicate expectations, and review priorities.
• Serve as the on-shift point of contact for the sanitation crew.
• Distribute workload, assign tasks, and ensure even coverage across shifts and zones.
• Conduct weekly check-ins with the Manager to provide updates, feedback, and address challenges.
• Collect and maintain completed daily cleaning checklists for recordkeeping and audit readiness.
• Communicate with management regarding supply needs, broken equipment, or safety concerns.
• Use Slack for day-to-day updates, scheduling, and issue reporting.
• Challenge and improve existing cleaning methods and protocols to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Support a respectful, accountable, team-oriented culture aligned with Firebrand’s mission.
• Participate in ongoing safety, DEI, and harassment prevention training as required.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required:

• Bilingual English/Spanish — required. Must communicate fluently in both languages with team members and management.
• Minimum 2–3 years of experience in sanitation, food production, or janitorial operations, preferably in a food manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of SQF standards, GMPs, and food safety regulations — SQF Practitioner certification or equivalent a strong plus.
• Prior team lead or supervisory experience required.
• Strong understanding of cleaning chemical safety, SDS protocols, and PPE requirements.
• Ability to train and coach team members with patience, clarity, and accountability.
• Strong attention to detail, time management, and task delegation skills.
• Ability to perform basic math and use digital tools (Slack) for workplace communication.
• Valid California Food Handler’s Card (or ability to obtain upon hire).

Schedule Requirements:

• Must be available to work weekends and holidays — this is a firm requirement of the role.
• Full-time position with a variable schedule based on production needs.
• Must be available for early morning, evening, weekend, or holiday shifts as required.
• Overtime paid in accordance with California law (8 hours/day or 40 hours/week).

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. consistently.
• Comfortable working with cleaning agents, hot water, and in varied temperature environments including coolers and production areas.

Compensation & Benefits

• Employer-sponsored healthcare through Kaiser Permanente.
• Accrual of up to 120 hours of PTO per year.
• Paid 10-minute rest breaks and uninterrupted 30-minute meal periods per California Labor Code.
• Free coffee 

Qualifications & Requirements

Required:

• Bilingual English/Spanish — required. Must communicate fluently in both languages with team members and management.
• Minimum 2–3 years of experience in sanitation, food production, or janitorial operations, preferably in a food manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of SQF standards, GMPs, and food safety regulations — SQF Practitioner certification or equivalent a strong plus.
• Prior team lead or supervisory experience required.
• Strong understanding of cleaning chemical safety, SDS protocols, and PPE requirements.
• Ability to train and coach team members with patience, clarity, and accountability.
• Strong attention to detail, time management, and task delegation skills.
• Ability to perform basic math and use digital tools (Slack) for workplace communication.
• Valid California Food Handler’s Card (or ability to obtain upon hire).

Schedule Requirements:

• Must be available to work weekends and holidays — this is a firm requirement of the role.
• Full-time position with a variable schedule based on production needs.
• Must be available for early morning, evening, weekend, or holiday shifts as required.
• Overtime paid in accordance with California law (8 hours/day or 40 hours/week).

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. consistently.
• Comfortable working with cleaning agents, hot water, and in varied temperature environments including coolers and production areas.

Salary : $20 - $22