Sanitation Program Manager

Job Summary:

The Sanitation Program Manager is responsible for leading and continuously improving the company’s sanitation program across multiple manufacturing buildings and facilities. This position ensures all equipment, production areas, and facility spaces are cleaned and sanitized in compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices to support food safety and operational excellence. 

As the company’s sanitation subject matter expert, the Sanitation Program Manager oversees sanitation systems, chemical management, hygienic design, allergen control, sanitation validation, and environmental cleaning programs across all assigned buildings. This role partners closely with Quality, Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations teams at each facility to reduce food safety risks, improve sanitation effectiveness, and maintain audit readiness. 

The Sanitation Program Manager provides strategic direction for sanitation activities across multiple facilities by implementing innovative technologies, strengthening sanitation processes, and ensuring compliance with all customer, regulatory, and food safety requirements.

Essential Duties:

• Lead and develop the sanitation team through hiring, training, coaching, scheduling, performance management, and accountability. 

• Manage the Master Sanitation Schedule and ensure all cleaning activities are completed, documented, and verified according to established procedures. 

• Ensure compliance with GMPs, HACCP, FSMA, SQF, OSHA, allergen control, chemical safety, and all company food safety programs. 

• Own the sanitation program by developing, updating, and validating sanitation SOPs, SSOPs, cleaning procedures, and verification methods. 

• Monitor sanitation effectiveness through inspections, ATP, allergen/protein testing, environmental monitoring, trend analysis, and corrective actions. 

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives by researching and implementing industry best practices, new sanitation technologies, chemical applications, and process improvements. 

• Manage sanitation resources, including chemicals, sanitation equipment, PPE, vendor relationships, inventory, and associated budgets. 

• Partner with Production, Quality, and Maintenance to improve equipment cleanability, reduce downtime, resolve sanitation issues, and support operational goals. 

• Support audits and inspections by maintaining audit readiness, participating in customer and regulatory audits, and ensuring accurate sanitation documentation. 

• Promote a culture of food safety and continuous improvement while performing other duties necessary to support safe, efficient manufacturing operations. 

Tools, Equipment, Materials :

• Computer 

• Scanner/printer 

• Multi-line phone 

• Forklift/scissor lift 

• Various size ladders 

• Hand tools 

• Knowledge of chemicals 

Physical Demands:

• Standing constantly 

• Walking constantly  

• Minimum lifting of 10 lbs. -Maximum lifting of 75lbs without assistance 

• Lifting up to 100lbs with assistance, occasionally  

• Bending/stooping constantly 

• Pushing and pulling a minimum of 10lbs-maximum of 75lbs without assistance, constantly 

• Pushing and pulling up to 100lbs with assistance, occasionally 

• Twisting constantly 

• Climbing constantly 

• Balancing frequently  

• Crouching constantly  

• Kneeling constantly  

• Crawling frequently  

• Working at heights on a scissor lift 

Enviroment:

• Constant exposure to dust and spices 

• Occasional exposure to flames and water 

• Constant exposure to extreme heat/extreme cold 

• Possibility of exposure to chemicals and fumes (authorized personnel only: must have proper training on chemical control, and personal protective equipment) 

• Constant exposure to vibrations and noise 

• Constantly exposed to heights and uneven terrain  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in food science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field preferred, but not required. Equivalent food manufacturing experience may be considered. 

• Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience in food manufacturing sanitation, food safety, quality, or operations.  

• Strong knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, FSMA Preventive Controls, sanitation principles, allergen control, and chemical safety.  

• Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining sanitation programs, SSOPs, and sanitation documentation.  

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments.  

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).