Sanitation Lead

Kinisla Group; Charleville; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Kinisla is seeking a Sanitation Lead for its Charleville site to join the Quality and Production teams. You will help ensure product safety, supervise sanitation processes, and drive hygiene excellence across the facility.

Based in Charleville, the role focuses on routine inspections, corrective actions, and collaboration with maintenance and TL on risk assessments during production activities.

Qualifications

• Responsible for the cleanliness and sanitation of the facility.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills and attention to detail.
• Active participant in QA and Production processes from ingredient prep to packaging.

Responsibilities

• Work with production and quality teams to prioritize product safety.
• Inspect manufacturing processes for sanitation compliance.
• Maintain clean, safe, and sanitized areas.
• Perform routine facility inspections during production and cleaning.
• Provide feedback to Quality and Operations management.
• Execute corrective actions to ensure site procedure compliance.
• Monitor cleaning chemical preparation and use.
• Oversee materials entering high care areas to ensure sanitation.

Skills

Leadership

Attention to detail

QA knowledge

Sanitation expertise

Job description

Sanitation Lead - Charleville

About the Role

Here at Kinisla, we're currently recruiting for a Sanitation Lead to join our team in Charleville, Co. Cork. The successful candidate will become an integral part of our Quality and Production Department, working alongside experienced teammates to help improve plant performance.

This is an internal role only.

What will I be doing?

• Work closely with both the production and quality team making sure product safety is always the number 1 priority.
• Inspection of the manufacturing process to determine compliance to sanitation protocols.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitized area.

• Perform routine inspections of the manufacturing facility during production and cleaning. Report any irregularities.
• Provide feedback to Quality and Operations management.

• Implement corrective actions to ensure compliance with site procedures.
• Monitor the preparation and use of cleaning chemicals (Chemical concentration on boot wash, Chlorous etc, is correct during production and caustic checks on the wash).
• Oversee all material movements into the high care facility confirming these materials are sanitized, swabbed and movements are compliant with site procedures.
• Ensure floors are clean, sanitized, and free from product.
• Sanitise high risk touch points - Townsend doors, handrails, touch screens and legs of equipment.
• Maintain and document hygiene of drains - cleaning and treating as required and compliance to site procedures.
• Report all leaks in the high-risk area to maintenance and technical for repair. Elevate to the Operations and Quality Teams if these maintenance repairs are not actioned in a timely manner.
• Complete shift sanitation handover log.
• Perform routine inspections of footwear PPE and report any issues to the Quality and Operations management teams.
• Visually inspect, sign off and release facility and equipment into manufacture on satisfactory completion of wash activities.
• Collaborate with maintenance and TL on risk assessing interventions during production activities.
• Prepare pipes for twister changeovers.
• Actively participate in inspections and audits.
• Carry out post wash swabs in compliance with site procedures.
• Any other duties as required.

What do I need to be successful?

• Responsible for the cleanliness and sanitation of the facility.
• Practice and oversee proper cleaning and sanitation techniques.
• The Sanitation Lead is expected to be an active participant in all aspects of the QA and Production processes, from ingredient preparation, cooking, manufacturing, and packaging of product.
• Responsible for compliance to sanitation protocols in line with site procedures and protocols. Conduct daily sanitation inspections, and address / elevate any negative findings.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills, good knowledge of the food industry, and a good eye for detail.
• Ensures the manufacturing facility is always maintained to the highest levels of hygiene.
• Full training will be provided on all aspects of this role to the successful candidate.

About Kinisla

Kinisla is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a very substantial consumer foods presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovation. From partnering with local family farms to producing world-class dairy products, we ensure every step of our value chain reflects our commitment to excellence.

With over 50 years’ experience in milk processing, dairy and nutritional technology advancement, and product innovation, we are a key stakeholder in the global food industry and creators of a strong portfolio of market leading dairy brands including Cheestrings, Charleville and Coleraine Cheese, Dairygold, Golden Cow and our new SMUG range. Our from food, for food culture and deep-rooted connection to our 2,800 milk suppliers differentiates our business and offers captivating opportunities for our customers and consumers.

Our dairy comes from some of the world’s richest grazing land and is produced by a network of Irish family farms that have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. Through a combination of expertise, innovation, and sustainability, Kinisla is proud to shape the future of dairy while meeting the diverse needs of our farmers, customers, and communities.

Headquartered in Tralee, Co. Kerry, we operate multiple manufacturing facilities in the southwest of Ireland, including Listowel, Charleville, Newmarket, and Farranfore. Additionally, we manage 28 Farm & Home stores throughout the region, ensuring comprehensive coverage and service. In Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, our presence extends to key locations in Portadown, Coleraine, and Ossett.

Globally, Kinisla employs over 1,700 dedicated professionals across Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, USA, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and China. In 2024, we achieved a turnover of approximately €1.3 billion, reflecting our commitment to excellence and growth.

At Kinisla, we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.

Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit. We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kinisla and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.

Please note: We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies where Kinisla terms of business have not been signed. Additionally, we will not consider or agree to payment of any recruiter fee under these circumstances. This also applies to CVs or candidate profiles sent directly to any Kinisla Hiring Managers.