Sanitation Manager

Job Summary

The Sanitation Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving sanitation programs across manufacturing, warehousing, and repacking operations. This role ensures compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements, including SQF, GFSI, FSMA, GMPs, HACCP, SSOPs, and OSHA standards. The Sanitation Manager leads the sanitation team while partnering with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse, Operations, and Quality to maintain a safe, clean, and audit-ready facility.

Essential Responsibilities

Sanitation Program Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain sanitation programs, Master Sanitation Schedules, and SSOPs.

• Ensure sanitation procedures effectively prevent microbiological, allergen, chemical, and physical contamination.
• Manage sanitation chemicals, equipment, supplies, and inventories.

Sanitation Operations

• Oversee daily sanitation activities for production equipment, warehouse areas, and facility grounds.

• Verify pre-operational inspections are completed and sanitation standards are met before production.
• Coordinate deep-cleaning activities and ensure sanitation supports production efficiency while maintaining food safety standards.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain compliance with all applicable food safety, quality, regulatory, environmental, and OSHA requirements.

• Ensure sanitation documentation is accurate, complete, and audit-ready.
• Support internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits, including corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).

Environmental Monitoring & Allergen Control

• Support environmental monitoring activities and corrective actions.
• Ensure sanitation practices effectively prevent allergen cross-contact and cross-contamination.

Documentation & Facility Support

• Maintain accurate sanitation records, inspections, verification activities, corrective actions, and training documentation.

• Partner with Maintenance to identify and resolve facility or equipment issues affecting sanitation and food safety.

Leadership & Employee Development

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop sanitation team members.

• Conduct sanitation and food safety training while promoting accountability, teamwork, and a strong food safety culture.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and development.

Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate sanitation processes and implement improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

• Monitor sanitation KPIs and support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.

Cross-Functional Support

• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse, Operations, and Quality to support food safety and operational goals.
• Participate in cross-functional teams supporting audits, recalls, crisis management, and continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Food Safety, or a related field preferred.

• 3–5 years of sanitation leadership experience in a food manufacturing or distribution environment.
• Experience leading sanitation teams and implementing sanitation programs compliant with SQF or other GFSI-recognized standards.
• Experience in dry ingredient manufacturing is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of SQF, GFSI, FSMA, HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, allergen control, food defense, environmental monitoring, chemical safety, and OSHA requirements.

• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; ERP experience preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment with varying temperatures, noise, dust, and food powders while wearing required PPE.
• Flexibility to work weekends, overtime, off-shifts, and respond to business or food safety needs as required.

Food Safety Responsibilities

• Follow all food safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.

• Maintain accurate documentation and support SQF and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Report food safety or quality concerns promptly and participate in required training.

Salary Range: $90,000–$100,000 annually. Higher compensation may be considered based on qualifications, experience, and overall fit.

Salary : $90,000 - $100,000