Job Description
Summary: The purpose of the Sanitation Manager position is to oversee, plan, and direct all sanitation activities within the facility to ensure a clean, safe, and compliant production environment. This role is responsible for implementing and maintaining sanitation programs that meet regulatory standards, support food safety, and prevent contamination risks. The Sanitation Manager ensures equipment, production areas, and facility spaces are properly cleaned and sanitized, manages sanitation staff, maintains chemical safety practices, and collaborates with Quality and Operations to uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and operational efficiency.
Responsibilities/Duties: include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Minimum expectations include but are not limited to:
- Assist staff members and supervisors in the development and implementation of short- and long-range plans, policies, programs, and operational objectives.
- Direct and monitor department supervisors to achieve manufacturing plan objectives in alignment with established safety and production procedures.
- Develop, manage, and monitor all sanitation processes—including Cleaning Procedures, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), and the Master Sanitation Schedule—to ensure food safety and product quality across all production shifts.
- Collaborate with the Food Safety and Quality departments to evaluate and improve SSOP programs and sanitation‑related procedures.
- Communicate and reinforce the company’s food safety philosophy with key personnel throughout the organization.
- Develop new strategies and corrective actions to resolve issues identified during sanitation activities.
- Review and verify all daily sanitation documentation for facility.
- Provide detailed direction for the scheduling, preparation, and completion of internal facility audits.
- Prepare and deliver sanitation training programs to employees, including GMPs, HACCP, SSOPs, and the company Allergen Policy.
- Analyze sanitation activity data to ensure consistency with company policies, regulatory requirements, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Keep management informed of significant sanitation issues, audit findings, and improvement actions.
- Train sanitation team members to perform in‑plant process inspections and internal audits as required by plant auditing programs.
- Maintain a working knowledge of government regulations and industry sanitation standards.
- Actively participate in plant sanitation improvement initiatives and cross‑functional teams.
- Design and implement sanitation training for key personnel in collaboration with plant management.
- Investigate customer complaints related to sanitation concerns and provide timely follow‑up and corrective action.
- Interpret laboratory results and environmental testing data related to sanitation performance and microbial control.
- Interface regularly with USDA Inspectors‑In‑Charge (IIC) to maintain clear positive communication between regulatory officials and plant personnel.
- Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility: Yes.
Specific Knowledge, Skills, Licenses, Certifications, etc.: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Minimum 3-5 years management experience
- Knowledgeable about OSHA and USDA regulations, lean manufacturing, process optimization, cost management.
- Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency with high attention to accuracy and detail.
- Able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with employees at all levels of the organization.
- Capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
- Proven ability to work productively and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Requires excellent English oral and written communication skills in order to interact with and provide work directions to employees.
Physical Requirements:
Individuals may need to sit or stand regularly. May require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or Proper lifting techniques required. May include lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally. Specific vision requirements for this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The performance of this position may occasionally require exposure to the manufacturing areas where under certain areas require the use of personal protective equipment such as a bump cap and mandatory hearing protection. Primary environment: ambient room temperatures, lighting and traditional office equipment as found in a typical office environment. The noise level in the production areas and work environment is loud.
The above statement reflects the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the occupation describes and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work that may be inherent in the occupation