About the Opportunity

Our client, a leader in food manufacturing, is seeking a hands-on Sanitation Manager to oversee all sanitation programs and compliance for their 3rd-shift operations. This is a critical leadership role ensuring the facility meets or exceeds food safety and regulatory standards while maintaining a culture of excellence and accountability.

The ideal candidate brings a strong technical foundation, proven team leadership, and the ability to work in a fast-paced production environment. This position plays a key role in partnering with Quality Assurance, Maintenance, and Production to drive continuous improvement and ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all 3rd-shift sanitation activities, including cleaning, sanitizing, and inspection of equipment and production areas.
• Develop and implement sanitation programs that align with FDA, USDA, SQF, and GMP requirements.
• Supervise, train, and mentor a team of sanitation technicians to ensure adherence to company standards and safety protocols.
• Coordinate and verify pre-operational inspections and documentation prior to production startup.
• Maintain and manage chemical usage, inventory, and proper storage per safety regulations.
• Partner with QA and Maintenance to address audit findings, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor sanitation KPIs, labor efficiency, and cost controls to ensure budget compliance.
• Support cross-functional initiatives including continuous improvement, environmental health, and safety projects.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, local, state, and federal regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline (Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, Engineering, or related field required).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in food or beverage manufacturing, with at least 2 years in a sanitation leadership role.
• In-depth knowledge of sanitation processes, food safety systems (HACCP, SSOPs), and regulatory standards.
• Experience leading 3rd-shift or off-shift teams preferred.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to engage and develop teams.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Relocation assistance available
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plan.
• Employee medical covered 100% starts day 1.
• Opportunity to join a growing company with a strong safety and quality culture.