Food Safety & Sanitation Associate

Location: Meriden, CT

Reports to: Senior Manager of Quality Assurance

Role type: Full-Time

About PopUp Bagels

PopUp Bagels is not just a bagel company—we’re a cultural movement. Our stores are small, our vibes are loud, and our energy is contagious. From signature neon and iconic bullhorns to our “Not Famous but Known” mirror, we’ve reimagined not just how a bagel is created, but how it’s enjoyed: Grip, Rip and Dip! With a cult-like following, massive social presence, and unparalleled collaborations with top companies, partners and Brand Ambassadors PopUp Bagels is defining a new food lifestyle brand.

We keep things simple, but we do them really, really well. And our customers agree.

The Role

The Food Safety & Sanitation Associate role is responsible for leading sanitation operations during assigned shifts to ensure all machinery, equipment, and facility areas are cleaned and sanitized according to food safety, quality, and regulatory standards. This position oversees sanitation goals, coordinates cleaning activities, and ensures production areas are maintained in a safe and sanitary condition.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead the sanitation of team members during assigned shifts.
• Assign daily cleaning tasks and monitor completion of work.
• Ensure proper cleaning and sanitizing of production equipment, machinery, and facility areas.
• Conduct pre-operational and post-sanitation inspections.
• Verify compliance with food safety, GMP, HACCP, OSHA, and company sanitation standards.
• Train and coach employees on sanitation procedures, chemical handling, and workplace safety.
• Maintain sanitation records, cleaning logs, and inspection documentation.
• Monitor inventory of cleaning chemicals, tools, and supplies.
• Coordinate with production, quality assurance, and maintenance departments to support operational goals.
• Identify, communicate, and resolve sanitation-related issues and implement corrective actions while working alongside the Senior Manager of Quality Assurance.
• Able to work independently and is self-motivated
• Ensure all shift goals are completed safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Take weekly inventory of all sanitation items and communicate the need to order
• Comfortable working safely at heights on ladders and lifts.
• This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and may expand to other tasks assigned by management at any time.

Required Education, Experience, and KSAs:

• Prior experience working in food manufacturing facilities, leading sanitation teams, coordinating cleaning schedules, inspecting equipment and production areas, and ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience cleaning and sanitizing production equipment, processing lines, warehouses, and general areas.
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, food safety regulations, and sanitation best practices.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Physical Requirements

The following physical requirements are representative of those that must be met to perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with qualifying disabilities.

• Ability to work in cold temperature environments.
• Ability to lift to 50 pounds and perform physically demanding tasks as needed.

Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and overtime as needed.

Additional Role Note:

The duties of this position may change from time to time. PopUp Bagels reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of PopUp Bagels or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general work level. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

PopUp Bagels is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, age, ancestry, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related condition, unemployment status, gender identity or expression, transgender status or gender dysphoria, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, national origin, citizenship, disability, covered veteran and/or military status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, familial status as that term is described under other protected statuses or any other characteristic as protected under applicable federal, state and local law.

PopUp Bagels conducts pre-employment screenings in compliance with local, state, and Federal laws, and utilizes eVerify to confirm U.S. Employment eligibility.