Manager Contamination Control & Sanitation

Altria; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO (paid time off)

13 holidays

Bonus eligibility

401(k) matching

Professional development stipends

Job summary

Altria is seeking a Manager of Contamination Control & Sanitation (CC&S) to provide strategic leadership and technical expertise in contamination control, sanitation, and risk management across manufacturing operations.

You will ensure product integrity by applying cGMP expectations, HACCP principles, and systematic risk assessments, aligning stakeholders to standardize compliant delivery and prevent defects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a technical field such as Food Science, Microbiology, Engineering, Quality, Environmental Health, or related.
• 8+ years in sanitation or contamination control with progressive responsibility in FDA-regulated environments.
• Knowledge of cGMPs, sanitary operations, risk assessment, sanitation verification, CAPA, change control, and HACCP principles.
• Ability to interpret regulatory and quality-system requirements into practical manufacturing controls.
• Strong communication, coaching, and cross-functional influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for contamination control, sanitation, product protection, and risk management across manufacturing operations.
• Lead cross-functional evaluation of issues to prevent recurrence and drive corrective actions.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain on preventive strategies and hygienic design.
• Oversee audits, documentation, records, and training to ensure readiness and compliance with FDA and internal QA requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional

Root cause analysis

Data analysis

Written and verbal comms

HACCP knowledge

GMP understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Engineering, Quality, Environmental Health, Business, or related

Tools

None

Job description

As Manager, Contamination Control & Sanitation (CC&S) you will provide strategic leadership and technical expertise for contamination control, sanitation, product protection, and risk management programs across manufacturing operations.

In this role, you will protect product integrity through effective contamination prevention, sanitation governance, current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) expectations, and systematic risk assessment, including the application of HACCP principles within the CC&S Program. You will drive CC&S program performance by establishing decision-making rigor, governance, and metrics that improve quality outcomes and end‑to‑end execution, and aligns cross‑functional stakeholders to standardize compliant delivery and prevent recurring defects.

What you will be doing:

• Lead cross‑functional evaluation of emerging and systemic manufacturing issues, applying manufacturing judgment and evidence to align stakeholders on practical actions that prevent recurrence.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain on preventive strategies, including hygienic and sanitary design, equipment access for cleaning and inspection, and contamination prevention during projects and changes.
• Leverage manufacturing expertise to guide cross‑functional decisions, prioritize systemic issues, and drive consistent practices that support contamination control and sanitation across operations.
• Lead complex, cross‑functional root cause investigations; validate true root causes using objective evidence; and drive corrective actions that prevent recurrence.

GMP & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure contamination control and sanitation programs align with applicable FDA requirements, internal Quality Management System requirements, and site procedures.
• Maintain inspection readiness by ensuring procedures, records, training, investigations, and corrective actions are complete, accurate, current, and readily retrievable.
• Provide oversight of master sanitation schedules, cleaning procedures, verification activities, sanitation records, pest management, and contractor‑managed sanitation services.
• Ensure cleaning methods, frequencies, tools, chemicals, responsibilities, and acceptance criteria are clearly defined, risk‑based, and consistently documented.
• Review audit results across departments to ensure consistency of audit execution and interpretation, and set audit focus areas and priorities (e.g., documentation, records, execution) based on observed trends and risks.
• Review and synthesize reporting across departments or functions to ensure consistency, align interpretation, and define focus areas or priorities for follow‑up, assessment, or review.

What we want you to have:

• Bachelor's degree (advanced degree a plus) in Food Science, Microbiology, Engineering, Quality, Environmental Health, Business, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of relevant, progressive experience in sanitation or contamination control roles of increasing responsibility, including managing a Contamination Control & Sanitation Program in an FDA‑regulated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of cGMPs, sanitary operations, risk assessment, sanitation verification, CAPA, change control, inspection readiness, and the practical application of HACCP principles.
• Working knowledge of microbiological risks, pest management, chemical control, foreign‑material prevention, hygienic or sanitary design, and contractor or supplier oversight.
• Ability to interpret regulatory and quality‑system requirements and translate them into practical, sustainable manufacturing controls.
• Strong written and verbal communication, coaching, cross‑functional influence, investigation, and data analysis skills.
• Technical skills in manufacturing knowledge, contamination risk identification and analysis, root cause analysis, audit standards and methodology, and reporting and analysis.
• Formal HACCP training is preferred. Additional relevant credentials may include Hygienic Design, Sanitary Equipment Design, Integrated Pest Management, Pest Control Program Certification, Certified Quality Auditor, or related quality certifications.

The starting salary is based on but not limited to experience, knowledge, and qualifications in determining compensation decisions. The Salary Range for this position is: $119,600.00 - $173,450.00.

Why You’ll Love Building Your Career at Altria

At Altria, we believe a great career starts with feeling supported — both at work and in life. Here's what you'll find here:

• Own your time — start with 15 days of paid time off, 13 paid holidays, 2 floating holiday days, and a 37.5‑hour workweek so you can recharge and live fully.
• A place where you belong — where your ideas are welcomed, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is real.
• Get recognized for your work — annual merit increases and performance bonus.
• A future you can count on — 401(k) matching from day one; plus Deferred Profit Sharing, an annual company contribution in an amount equal to 13%-17% of your base salary.
• Help with your goals — get help with student loan repayment assistance, attend a conference, or gain a new certification with professional development stipends.
• Support for what matters most — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Celebrating your milestones — paid parental and bonding leave for life's biggest moments.
• Wellness that goes beyond work — programs that care for your whole well‑being at whatever stage you are in your life.
• A culture that gives back — paid volunteer days and a shared commitment to making a difference.

At Altria, we offer more than benefits — we offer a career that fits your life, rewards your ambition, and celebrates your impact.