Program Manager, Sanitation

Great Lakes Cheese; Hiram Township (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Lakes Cheese is seeking a Program Manager, Corporate Sanitation to lead sanitation, compliance, training, customer management, and risk management across the organization, ensuring a hygienic production environment and product safety. You will manage audits, analyze data trends, address remediation gaps, and provide technical support.

The role emphasizes continuous improvement in sanitation practices and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 4 years of relevant experience.
• Proven experience in sanitation program management, compliance, and risk management.
• Deep understanding of sanitation principles, CIP/COP systems, and hygienic design.
• Strong knowledge of sanitation regulations and standards (FDA, USDA, GMP).
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead sanitation network training, auditing, and provide technical support.
• Onboard and train new sanitation team members.
• Develop sanitation leaders to ensure knowledge of processes and expectations.
• Grow proficiency and efficacy of sanitation teams.
• Review resources against defined sanitation labor hours and required skills.

Skills

Sanitation management

Data analysis

Audits

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/ Microbiology/ Chemistry/ Industrial Management

Job description

Job Overview

As the Program Manager, Corporate Sanitation , you will be responsible for leading all aspects of sanitation, compliance, training, customer management, and risk management within the organization. This role leads continuous improvement in sanitation practices, supports operational excellence, and ensures a hygienic production environment that protects product integrity and consumer safety. You will also be responsible for managing audits, analyzing data trends, addressing gaps, and providing technical support as needed.

As the Program Manager, Corporate Sanitation , you will be responsible for leading all aspects of sanitation, compliance, training, customer management, and risk management within the organization. This role leads continuous improvement in sanitation practices, supports operational excellence, and ensures a hygienic production environment that protects product integrity and consumer safety. You will also be responsible for managing audits, analyzing data trends, addressing gaps, and providing technical support as needed.

Job Responsibilities

Sanitation Network Support and Development:

• Lead sanitation network training, execution, auditing, and provide technical support.
• Support new sanitation team member onboarding and training.
• Assess the development of sanitation leaders to ensure consistent knowledge of sanitation processes and expectations.
• Support the growth of proficiency/efficacy of sanitation teams.
• Review resources against defined sanitation labor hours and required skill proficiency.

Policy And Procedure

• Review Sanitation policies and procedures for accuracy. Ensure site specific polices/ procedures/ programs comply.
• Lead development of SSOP and recommend updates as company equipment and industry expectations change.
• Guide site Sanitation teams in their preparation for 3rd party audits and resolve any remediations that may follow.

Process Management

• Design and support the launch of sanitation programs and policy implementation.
• Provide site incident escalation and immediate crisis support.
• Lead RCA/ CAPA execution.
• Provide support for sanitation related holds.
• Partner with 3rd party SME and consultants, as needed, to support network projects and guide program improvements.
• Support site swab survey’s and sanitation assessments.

Compliance

• Execute and lead MSS (Master Sanitation Schedule) and SSOP (Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures) audits.
• Analyze audit data and report KPI metrics to monitor sanitation performance.
• Resolve major audit gaps, escalating when necessary, and support Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) implementation.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, FSMA, OSHA, and local regulatory requirements.
• Interpret regulatory changes and implement necessary updates across facilities.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by leadership.

Required Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Industrial Management, or a related field and 4 years of relevant experience.
• Proven experience in sanitation program management, compliance, and risk management within a similar industry.
• Deep understanding of sanitation principles, CIP/COP systems, and hygienic design.
• Strong understanding of sanitation regulations and standards (e.g., FDA, USDA, GMP).
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data trends and identify areas for improvement.
• Effective communication skills.
• Ability to prior