Corporate Director of Sanitation

CJ Schwan's; Hopkins (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

CJ Schwan’s is seeking a Corporate Director of Sanitation to lead our enterprise sanitation programs across manufacturing and distribution. You will partner with Operations, Food Safety & Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain to drive improvements and build a culture where sanitation is foundational to production.

The role requires a bachelor's degree in a related science, 10+ years in sanitation leadership, deep expertise in environmental monitoring, pathogen control, GMPs, and regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related science discipline.
• 10+ years leading sanitation, food safety, or quality programs.
• Expertise in sanitation systems, environmental monitoring, pathogen control, and hygienic design.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute enterprise sanitation strategy to strengthen safety, regulatory compliance, and performance.
• Advise senior leadership on sanitation risk, regulatory matters, environmental monitoring, and hygienic design.
• Establish and govern enterprise sanitation programs, including sanitation validation, environmental monitoring, and metrics.
• Lead hygienic design standards and capital project requirements with Engineering on equipment and facility design.
• Develop leadership capability through training, coaching and certification programs for sanitation leaders.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Food Safety & Quality, Engineering, Procurement, and Supply Chain to optimize sanitation performance.
• Oversee sanitation chemical programs and manage relationships with providers to maximize effectiveness and cost efficiency.
• Monitor regulatory requirements and food safety trends to ensure ongoing compliance.

Skills

Sanitation leadership

Food safety

Quality leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related scientific discipline

Job description

At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation and the power of food to bring people together.

The Corporate Director of Sanitation provides strategic leadership for sanitation programs across our manufacturing and distribution network, ensuring excellence in food safety, regulatory compliance, hygienic design, and operational performance. This enterprise leader partners across Operations, Food Safety & Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain to drive continuous improvement, strengthen sanitation capability, and build a culture where sanitation is the foundation of every successful production cycle.

What You Will Do

• Develop and execute the enterprise sanitation strategy to strengthen food safety, regulatory compliance, operational performance, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the enterprise sanitation subject matter expert, advising senior leadership on sanitation risk, regulatory matters, environmental monitoring, hygienic design, and post-construction restoration activities.
• Establish and govern enterprise sanitation programs, standards, and procedures, including sanitation validation and verification, environmental monitoring, pathogen control, Master Sanitation Schedules, and sanitation performance metrics.
• Lead hygienic design standards and capital project requirements, partnering with Engineering on equipment selection, installations, facility modifications, zoning, traffic flow, water management, and sanitation technology advancements.
• Develop organizational capability through leadership development, succession planning, sanitation training, coaching, and certification programs for sanitation leaders and teams.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Food Safety & Quality, Engineering, Procurement, and Supply Chain leaders to optimize sanitation performance and drive enterprise-wide improvement initiatives.
• Oversee sanitation chemical programs and manage strategic relationships with sanitation, chemical, and third-party service providers to maximize effectiveness, compliance, and cost efficiency.
• Monitor emerging regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and food safety trends to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous advancement of sanitation programs.

What We Look For

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive sanitation, food safety, or quality leadership experience within food manufacturing, including responsibility for multi-site or enterprise-wide programs.
• Deep expertise in sanitation systems, environmental monitoring, pathogen control, hygienic design, sanitation validation and verification, allergen management, and microbiology.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, HACCP, Preventive Controls, GMPs, and food manufacturing sanitation regulations and standards.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, influence senior leaders, manage regulatory interactions, and deliver measurable food safety and operational improvements.
• Demonstrated success building high-performing teams, developing organizational capability, and leading change in a complex manufacturing environment.
• HACCP, PCQI, SQF Practitioner/Internal Auditor, and hygienic design certifications (3-A, EHEDG, or equivalent) preferred.

What We Offer

The base salary range for this position is $120,000 to $200,000 annually, with eligibility for a 25% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance. The range reflects factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and location, and starting salary may fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.

CJ Schwan’s and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs. For accommodation requests or assistance with the application, please email [e-mail].