Sanitation Team Lead

Winland Foods•Excelsior Springs, MO

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sanitation Team Lead guides daily sanitation activities at Winland Foods’ production facility in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, helping maintain a safe, clean, and high-performing environment that meets food safety and quality standards. The role works as a partner to the Sanitation Supervisor, supports production employees, coordinates sanitation work, and models the company’s values of Excellence, Quality, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration. The position oversees sanitation processes and equipment inspections, supports food safety and regulatory compliance, maintains records and sanitation programs, and helps resolve sanitation and operational issues. It also provides team leadership, training, cross-departmental coordination, and continuous-improvement support. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The position is based at 1000 Italian Way, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024, and pays $28.00 per hour, based on experience and other qualifications.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 18 years of age.
Knowledge of GMPs, SQF, HACCP, FSMA, and other food safety regulations.
Commitment to following company safety policies and procedures.
Ability to operate and troubleshoot equipment and advise on minor adjustments to formulas or processes.
Mechanical aptitude and ability to identify and resolve quality irregularities.
Proficiency in SAP, hand scanners, and basic math.
Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, and others at the worksite in English, including understanding and responding to oral communications, understanding written and safety information, and communicating in writing as needed.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Positive attitude, dependability, self-motivation, and willingness to work overtime or weekends as needed.
Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Accountability for work quality, attendance, and continuous improvement.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, push heavy loads, stand and walk for up to 90% of the shift, and climb as needed.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and perform tasks involving climbing, pulling, pushing, carrying, grasping, reaching, twisting, turning, and stooping.
Good hand-eye coordination and motor skills; 20/20 corrected vision, normal hearing and vision with correction if needed, and ability to distinguish colors for color-coded containers.
Ability to wear required PPE and comply with safety policies, including lock-out/tag-out and safe lifting techniques.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of work experience in manufacturing or food production sanitation.
For advanced levels, proficiency in MII and WE systems and ability to interpret line huddle measures to resolve issues.
For advanced levels, experience leading projects, identifying skill gaps, and supporting multiple initiatives with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

Assist with routine and non-routine plant sanitation activities and ensure equipment is clean and food safe.
Perform daily inspections and preventive maintenance on sanitation equipment.
Evaluate, modify, and design sanitation policies and procedures to maintain food safety, quality, and integrity.
Oversee daily sanitation processes, troubleshoot operational issues, and optimize workflows to improve efficiency and minimize downtime.
Follow plant policies for placing materials on hold and collecting retention samples.
Assist with chemical inventory control using FIFO practices.
Communicate sanitation results to other plant teams and manage programs related to the master sanitation schedule.
Provide backup support in the department lead’s absence and provide backup coverage for multiple roles.
Ensure adherence to GMP, HACCP, and safety requirements; monitor plant cleanliness against company and regulatory standards and take corrective action as needed.
Lead investigations and resolutions involving sanitation issues, customer complaints, and foreign material investigations.
Follow GMP, HACCP, SQF, FSMA, and company food safety policies; maintain cleanliness and recommend improvements to sanitation effectiveness.
Mentor team members on food safety, enforce sanitation accountability and procedures, and train employees on food safety protocols.
Maintain accurate safety audit and compliance records and uphold company policies and regulatory standards.
Coordinate team activities, assign tasks, lead shift meetings, train others in advanced operations, and guide and motivate team members.
Assist with SOP development and training, collaborate across departments, and support team members through operational changes.
Collaborate with R&D during production trials and first production runs.
Coach team members on WE systems and foster a positive, productive work environment.
Prepare accurate written documentation, participate in 5S efforts, and assist with reviewing sanitation paperwork.
Act as the 5S champion for the area; lead improvement projects, perform operator-based maintenance, and analyze causes of variances.
Update and maintain sanitation specifications and procedural manuals; drive cost-saving and process-improvement initiatives.
Communicate across shifts and departments, monitor sanitation performance, address issues proactively, and provide detailed updates to management.
Maintain a clean and safe work environment and immediately report food safety or quality issues to management.