Sanitation Manager

SK FOOD GROUP•Cleveland, TN

12h•$84,756 - $105,945

About The Position

The Sanitation Manager is the plant’s sanitation leader, responsible for the strategic direction, execution, and continuous improvement of the sanitation program at the assigned facility. The role ensures compliance with Ready-To-Eat standards and applicable SQF, USDA, FDA, and CFIA requirements while promoting a proactive sanitation and food safety culture. The manager is accountable for sitewide sanitation performance, including environmental monitoring, third-party services, and sanitation compliance. This position leads and develops plant or contracted sanitation teams, partners with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance, and oversees sanitation training, budgets, vendors, audits, incident response, investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement. The position supervises third-shift SK Food Group sanitation associates and oversees contractor sanitation execution where applicable. It reports to the Sr. Plant Director.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or eight years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience in food manufacturing, specifically in Ready-To-Eat environments, is required.
Experience in a USDA facility is required.
Knowledge of chemical use, including safety and disposal.
Knowledge of environmental monitoring and pathogen control.
Basic math skills, including the ability to calculate proportions, percentages, area, and volume.
Technical writing skills.
Ability to think logically, solve problems, troubleshoot, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Strong time-management, people-management, communication, and organizational skills.
Ability to work as a team player, coach, and develop associates.
Understanding of equipment operation and design.
HACCP certification and/or PCQI certification.
Sanitation certification(s) completed with a third-party provider.
Training in Good Manufacturing Practices and in identifying food safety issues such as temperature control, cross-contamination, and sanitation and cleanliness of lines.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Chemical Hygiene/Safety.

Responsibilities

Lead, manage, coach, and direct plant or third-party sanitation teams, fostering engagement, high performance, and career development.
Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance leaders to ensure safe, high-quality food products meet or exceed customer and regulatory requirements.
Own the sanitation program, master sanitation schedule, and sanitation KPIs.
Implement and oversee training for shift associates in company standards, safety, and regulatory requirements; promote accountability and a strong safety and food culture.
Oversee equipment assembly according to SOPs and plant procedures so the facility is ready for visual Sanitation Pre-Operational inspection.
Ensure associates follow safety standards, OSHA requirements, and company policies and procedures.
Ensure effective onboarding and ongoing training in sanitation, GMPs, food safety, and chemical safety.
Manage adherence to the sanitation budget.
Oversee third-party sanitation contractors, chemical companies, and other vendors as applicable; evaluate vendor performance and use their technical expertise to achieve sanitation goals.
Promote a preventive, risk-based sanitation culture focused on eliminating contamination risks.
Contribute to site readiness for regulatory inspections and customer audits.
Lead root-cause investigations and CAPA for microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards.
Serve as the primary sanitation lead during food safety incidents and crisis response.
Drive continuous improvement of the sanitation program.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervise third-shift SK Food Group sanitation associates and oversee contractor sanitation execution where applicable.
Maintain regular and predictable attendance.