Sanitation Manager

Company Background

Atoria’s Family Bakery is a family-owned and operated bakery with over 30 years of experience, located in Gilroy, CA. Inspired by our grandmother’s recipes, we use traditional baking methods to craft authentic flatbreads including Lavash, Pita and Naan distributed in thousands of grocery stores and restaurants across the country. All of our products are ready-to-eat (RTE) and serve as key components in national foodservice programs and retail offerings. We have maintained SQF certification since 2017 and are committed to upholding the highest standards of food safety, product quality, and employee well-being through a culture of cleanliness, safety, and continuous improvement.

Position Summary

This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing sanitation programs that ensure all food-contact areas, equipment, and production environments meet or exceed regulatory and internal standards. The manager will lead the sanitation team, drive sanitation compliance initiatives, coordinate training programs, support the development and standardization of SSOP’s and sanitation procedures, and promote a proactive culture of safety and hygiene across all departments.

Key Responsibilities

Sanitation Program Management

• Develop, implement and continuously improve sanitation programs, SSOP’s and sanitation procedures.
• Assess current sanitation practices and establish standardized systems that support food safety compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Monitor sanitation performance metrics and implement corrective and preventive improvements.
• Lead and oversee all daily, weekly, and periodic cleaning and sanitizing of production lines, equipment, and facility areas.
• Ensure all procedures follow established Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) and regulatory requirements under FDA, FSMA, and SQF guidelines.
• Conduct and document pre-operational inspections to verify cleanliness and readiness for production startup.
• Maintain sanitation logs, chemical inventories, and cleaning validation records in accordance with internal and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Maintenance to resolve sanitation-related non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
• Adhere to workplace safety programs that comply with Cal/OSHA, EPA, and related standards.
• Enforce implementation and ensure up-to-date training on key safety programs, including but not limited to:
• Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)
• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Ergonomics and Machine Guarding
• Chemical Handling and Spill Response

Training & Compliance

• Build and maintain sanitation training programs
• Coordinate, deliver, and track team member training on sanitation-related GMPs, SQF requirements, and chemical handling (including onboarding, refresher, and role-specific training)
• Plan, conduct, and document company-wide sanitation compliance audits (e.g., GMP audits, and environmental checks related to sanitation/safety); issue findings, manage CAPAs, and verify closure and support continuous improvement of sanitation programs and compliance systems.
• Serve as the primary contact for sanitation-related regulatory inspections, third-party audits (including SQF/customer audits limited to sanitation scopes), and sanitation program reviews.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise, train, and schedule sanitation team members to ensure thorough coverage and efficient operations.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance feedback to team members and cross-functional partners.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality Assurance, Human Resources, and Maintenance to support company-wide food safety initiatives.
• Track and analyze sanitation performance metrics, implementing solutions to improve outcomes.
• Foster a proactive food safety culture through employee engagement, recognition, and accountability.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in food manufacturing, sanitation and/or management.
• Strong knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), FSMA, and GFSI.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, build and drive compliance in sanitation programs.
• Skilled in conducting audits, investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions and training across all levels of an organization.
• Excellent communication, organization, and documentation skills.
• Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Office. Capable of maintaining digital sanitation records.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings or weekends, to support sanitation schedules.
• Experience developing or improving sanitation procedures, training programs and sanitation compliance systems preferred.
• Bilingual English / Spanish is a plus

This role is ideal for a sanitation leader who enjoys building systems, developing teams, and creating long-term operational improvements within a growing food manufacturing environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, and work in a production environment for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs as needed
• Comfortable working in wet, cold or hot environments

Benefits:

• 75% company-paid insurance available after 60 days of employment
• Company-paid vision insurance
• Employee-paid dental insurance available
• PTO and paid holidays

Reports To: Director of Quality Assurance and Food Safety

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000–$115,000/year (depending on experience and credentials)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Gilroy, CA 95020 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Gilroy, CA 95020: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $85,000 - $115,000