Director, Sanitation Operations (SugarCreek)

SugarCreek Packing Co.; Kentucky; On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

SugarCreek Packing Co. is seeking a Director of Sanitation Operations responsible for overseeing the sanitation program across all company locations. The role involves designing and implementing sanitation processes, compliance with USDA and FDA regulations, and management of sanitation training. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's Degree in Food Science or Microbiology and five years of relevant experience. The position primarily operates on the 3rd shift. Responsibilities also include managing vendor relationships and ensuring safety procedures are followed.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience managing sanitation teams within USDA or FDA micro-sensitive environments.
• SQF and HACCP Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee company-wide sanitation programs across all locations.
• Drive continuous improvement in sanitation practices.
• Manage relationships with chemical vendors and compliance with safety requirements.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Sanitation principles knowledge

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Food Science or Microbiology

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Director, Sanitation Operations (SugarCreek)

Brandworthy, 4235 Thunderbird Lane, West Chester, Ohio, United States of America

This position is primarily 3rd shift, with occasional need to accommodate 1st shift hours and/or meetings.

Description Summary

Oversee and implement company‑wide Sanitation Program across all SugarCreek locations. Work with Plant and Corporate FSQA teams to standardize sanitation programs, SOPs, and training companywide. Serve as key point of contact for the Plant and Executive Management when it comes to key performance indicators (KPIs) and overall performance of the Sanitation Program across the organization. Work with chemical vendors and equipment manufacturers to ensure compliance with personnel safety requirements, sanitary/hygienic design, and sanitation requirements.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, implement and improve Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), equipment‑specific cleaning procedures, and other programs across all facilities to ensure proper sanitation standards are maintained on a regular basis.
• Ensure all required sanitation and safety training is being performed consistently and in a timely manner for all sanitation personnel.
• Work with cross‑functional leadership teams at the corporate and plant level to drive continuous improvement and manage various projects, equipment moves/installs, investigations for micro/spoilage concerns, and other sanitation initiatives as needed.
• Examine and assess current job tasks to ensure they do not compromise employee/contractor safety.
• Work with Plant/Corporate Management to perform sanitary design assessments for new equipment, equipment modifications and changes to plant infrastructure.
• Accompany third‑party auditors or regulatory inspectors (USDA, FDA, OSHA) during plant audits/inspections, providing information on sanitation practices and policies as requested.
• Improve sanitation process by identifying more efficient uses of resources (i.e. water, wastewater, chemicals, labor) whenever possible.
• Oversee and manage budgets at the plant and corporate level for sanitation needs including, but not limited to water usage, chemical usage, new technology/equipment needs, wastewater treatment, PPE and consumables.
• Manage relationships with chemical vendors and review service metrics for each of campus to ensure expectations are met or exceeded.
• Standardize and work with the facilities to manage and continuously improve Master Sanitation Schedules (MSS), including Periodic Equipment Cleaning (PEC) & Periodic Infrastructure Cleaning (PIC) to ensure the programs are effectively maintaining sanitary conditions within each facility.
• Work with Plant Management and FSQA Management teams at each location to investigate and remediate any concerns with Pathogen Environmental Monitoring (PEM), spoilage in finished products, etc. to perform root cause analysis, implement corrective actions and preventative measures.
• Work with external equipment manufacturers and internal Engineering Team and cross functional teams on maintaining food safety standards and sanitary design standards during new equipment design, construction events, and any additional modifications that may affect food safety within the processing environments.
• Assist with each plant’s pest control program as needed.
• Coordinate internal audits of Sanitation Programs and Procedures to ensure proper sanitation methods, procedures and guidelines are being followed and implemented at all locations.
• Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures and regulations.
• Support all safety, food quality and sanitation initiatives and policies.
• Follow SugarCreek safety rules and procedures.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Food Science or Microbiology preferred

Experience: Five Years' experience managing Sanitation Teams within USDA or FDA micro‑sensitive environments preferred.

Certification or Licensure Requirements: Safe Quality Foods (SQF) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Certification preferred.

Abilities, Knowledge, and Skills Required

• Possess expert knowledge of sanitation principles, preventative programs, allergens, food zoning and related subjects.
• Able to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Able to communicate effectively and efficiently using both verbal and written skills.
• Possess strong leadership skills, independent thinking, organizational skills and planning abilities.
• Possess patience and flexibility when dealing with various aspects of running the plant.
• Know how to adapt to meet the sanitation needs of the company as relayed by Corporate Management.
• Know how to actively listen to employees across various departments to address production issues or improve.
• Able to read, interpret and review instructions for preparation of materials.
• Able to adapt and work on a flexible schedule that covers all plant operation shifts.
• Able to read and comprehend printed and electronic information.
• Able to maintain organization of documents.
• Able to instruct employees and vendors on sanitation program elements, sanitary design and food safety programs.
• Know how to use basic computer programs, especially Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Other Requirements

No unusual physical requirements. Physical requirements are consistent with typical sanitation management positions, including some sitting, standing/walking and light activity such as using stairs or occasionally moving items weighing less than 50 lbs. Some travel to other locations is required. Schedule may fluctuate from week to week with hours outside of typical business hours, including working on third shift directly with Plant Sanitation Teams. Safety wear (PPE) is required, including hard hat, hairnet, hearing protection, safety glasses, steel‑toe boots, coats and other necessary equipment.