Sanitation Team Leader

Basic American Foods

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sanitation Team Leader is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and sanitary environment throughout the facility, with a primary focus on secondary food production zones (non-routine), playing a critical role in preventing contamination and ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards. In addition to performing all Sanitarian duties, this role provides leadership, direction, and coordination to a team of Sanitarians, ensuring sanitation activities are effectively planned and executed in alignment with production schedules, while working independently and fostering collaboration across departments to consistently meet sanitation standards.

Requirements

Ability to read, understand, and follow written instructions, SSOPs, and safety procedures in English
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with team members, supervisors, and cross-functional partners
Ability to apply sound judgment and follow detailed sanitation procedures
Ability to identify risks, prioritize work, and take appropriate corrective action
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with team members.
Results-oriented, with a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency.
Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic manufacturing environment.
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED preferred
Prior leadership or team lead experience preferred
Previous experience in food manufacturing sanitation or production environments preferred
Familiarity with GMPs, HACCP, or SQF systems is a plus

Responsibilities

Routine and deep cleaning of Secondary (non-food contact) production areas, including equipment, utensils, and surrounding infrastructure
Assisting with sanitation activities for Primary (food contact) zones during mechanical pit stops, changeovers, or sanitation events
Executing sanitation procedures in accordance with SSOPs and validated cleaning methods
Ensuring proper cleaning, rinsing, and sanitizing food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and allergen risks
Safely disassembling and reassembling equipment for effective cleaning
Operating sanitation equipment such as pressure hoses, foaming units, vacuums, and floor scrubbers
Following all GMPs, HACCP principles, SQF requirements, and company sanitation standards
Verifying cleanliness and supporting pre-operational inspection readiness as assigned
Identifying, reporting, and escalating food safety, quality, or sanitation concerns
Maintaining accurate sanitation records and documentation
Organize and prioritize sanitation activities based on production schedules, downtime windows, and food safety risk
Coordinate with production, maintenance, and quality teams to ensure sanitation is completed effectively without disrupting operations
Provide clear directions, instruction, and coaching to team members on sanitation procedures, safety practices, and performance expectations
Participate in internal inspections and audits
Ensure proper staffing, task delegation, and time management to meet sanitation deadlines
Support training and onboarding of new Sanitarians, reinforcing SSOPs, GMPs, and sanitation best practices
Lead by example in demonstrating strong work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to food safety
Other duties as assigned by the Quality Assurance Manager