Sanitation Lead

Northwest Frozen LLC•Des Moines, WA

5d•$25 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

Northwest Frozen is seeking a dependable, safety-focused Sanitation Lead to oversee overnight cleaning and sanitation operations at our Kent warehouse and Des Moines production facility. This role leads a small sanitation crew, ensures equipment and facilities are properly cleaned and sanitized between production runs, and helps maintain the food safety standards our products depend on. This is a hands-on leadership role. The Sanitation Lead will perform cleaning tasks alongside the team, assign and check work, maintain the Master Sanitation Schedule, verify pre-operational readiness, and communicate directly with Production and QA to keep the plant running safely and on schedule.

Requirements

1-2 years of experience in a sanitation, cleaning, or food production role, with prior lead or supervisory experience preferred
Working knowledge of GMPs, food safety principles, and sanitation best practices; HACCP or sanitation certification a plus
Experience safely handling and mixing industrial cleaning chemicals and sanitizers
Ability to read and follow chemical labels, SDS sheets, and written sanitation procedures
Familiarity with different classes of cleaning and sanitizing chemicals used in food production (e.g., alkaline/caustic cleaners, acid cleaners, degreasers, quat and chlorine-based sanitizers) and when each is appropriate
Understanding of proper dilution rates, contact times, and rinse requirements for different chemicals and surfaces
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform frequent standing, walking, bending, climbing, and repetitive cleaning tasks
Comfortable working in wet, cold, refrigerated, and freezer environments for extended periods
Reliable attendance and flexibility to work overnight hours, weekends, and occasional overtime as business needs require
Basic ability to complete written logs, checklists, and electronic records

Nice To Haves

2+ years of experience in food manufacturing sanitation, with direct experience leading or training a small team
Experience with Master Sanitation Schedules, pre-op inspections, and allergen changeover procedures
Solid working knowledge of cleaner and sanitizer chemistry and how to match the right product to the surface, soil type, or equipment
Strong attention to detail and a genuine safety-first, food-safety-first mindset
Comfortable giving clear direction and holding a team accountable to a nightly cleaning schedule
Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate the overnight sanitation crew, assigning tasks and verifying work is completed thoroughly and on time
Clean, sanitize, and disassemble/reassemble production equipment, processing lines, tools, and utensils according to established procedures
Maintain and follow the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) for daily, weekly, and periodic cleaning tasks
Conduct and document pre-operational inspections (pre-op) to verify equipment and work areas are clean and ready before production start-up
Safely select, mix, and apply cleaning chemicals and sanitizers according to labels, SDS, and company procedures
Train sanitation team members on proper cleaning procedures, chemical safety, and food safety practices
Inspect and maintain sanitation equipment (foamers, hoses, CIP systems, floor scrubbers, etc.) and report maintenance needs
Support allergen changeovers and verify allergen cleaning procedures are followed correctly
Complete and maintain accurate sanitation logs, checklists, and chemical usage records
Communicate sanitation status, delays, or issues to Production, QA, and Maintenance teams at shift handoff
Ensure compliance with GMPs, food safety standards, OSHA/chemical safety requirements, and company policies
Maintain clean, organized, and properly labeled chemical storage and sanitation supply areas
Assist with internal, customer, and third-party food safety audits as needed
Perform hands-on cleaning duties alongside the team, especially during high-volume or short-staffed periods