Sanitation Team Leader

The 3rd Shift Sanitation Team Leader is responsible for ensuring and maintaining a food-safe environment in a safe and quality manner. Compliance with all requirements of programs/policies for Food Safety, Good Manufacturing Practices, HACCP, Quality, SQF, OSHA, Environmental, and as required by Plant, Company, Local, State and Federal mandates or programs is required. Additional responsibilities to include but are not limited to: providing multi plant and cross functional support, directing sanitation activities, continuous improvement of departmental goals, scheduling, record keeping, and serving as back up to the Food Safety Manager. Builds and maintains strong working relationships with internal customers all while championing and promoting HPWP culture, including HP Safety.

This position reports to the Food Safety Manager. Peers include the Quality Assurance Team Leaders and Production Team Leaders

1. Be an HPWP Leader though managing, motivating, and leading direct report and cross-functional teams utilizing HPWP principles to drive Eighth Element Process Improvement projects.
2. Development, execution and validation of plant sanitation systems as well as tracking and measuring progress & opportunities for improvement.
3. Develop and assure effective, efficient Sanitation programs and practices
4. Lead sanitation activities and employees throughout the plant.
5. Coordinates sanitation activities to ensure Master Sanitation Schedule is maintained and documented.
6. Maintains documentation for the Sanitation Department including MSS, SSOP’s, training records and other regulatory programs.
7. Provides training and orientation to all sanitation employees on safety, food safety, regulatory requirements, and company specific training.
8. Participates in plant inspections and audits to identify issues regarding food safety and plant safety.
9. Coordinates activities for corrective action on all inspections and audits.
10. Inspects plant for infestation, contamination and compliance to cleaning schedules.
11. Critiques housekeeping and employee practices relative to sanitation and quality requirements.
12. Ensures compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and company policies including but not limited to: OSHA, EEOC, SQF, etc.
13. Responsible for evaluating and counseling department personnel. Acts as a champion for HPWP culture.

Internal contacts are most typically the QA Team Leaders, Business Unit Leaders, Manufacturing Analysts, Scheduling and Planning, Supply Chain and R&D. External contacts are suppliers, customer representatives and auditors. In absence, responsibility is designated to the position’s direct manager (see organizational chart).

This position requires extended time in a manufacturing environment and a small amount of time in a sedentary office environment.

1. Highly refined people management, planning, and organization skills. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, math skills, attention to detail, strong problem solving and analytical skills, knowledge of GMPs, HACCP and relevant federal and state regulations related to quality and food safety

1. Subject matter expert in sanitation within the food manufacturing environment. Solid knowledge of effective cleaning and sanitizing procedures to prevent microbial growth and cross-contamination.

• Ability to design and implement sanitation practices in both a wet and a dry facility
• Solid knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and HACCP.
• Working knowledge of CIP/COP systems
• Knowledge of sanitary equipment design
• Working knowledge of cleaning chemicals, sanitizers and cleaning tools
• Knowledge of basic chemistry and math skills (percentages, proportions, etc.).
• Knowledge of Lock out/Tag out
• Excellent management and communication skills, proven ability to provide proactive leadership. Excellent verbal and organization skills.
• Ability to climb ladders, crawl under equipment and work in tight spaces as needed.
• Self-motivated; self-disciplined with ability to work under limited direction.
• Work well in fast-paced environment of high expectations and proficient at conflict resolution.
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office Applications, SAP and Intelex

Education/Experience Level:

• Bachelor’s Degree is highly preferred, but we would consider using relevant experience in place of degree.
• 3+ years’ experience in a food processing plant is preferred.

• Experience building and managing a MSS and ensuring compliance with GMPs and USDA/FDA regulations.
• Experience with GFSI third party audits (SQF, BRC, etc.) preferred.