Sanitation and Production Lead (Night Shift)

Pastrystar; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Health insurance

Opportunities for advancement

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Job summary

PastryStar, a Laurel, MD bakery ingredient manufacturer, seeks a hands-on Sanitation Lead for the night shift to oversee sanitation across our food production facility. This role supervises staff, cleans equipment and production zones, and ensures compliance with food safety standards.

Ideal candidates have 5–10 years in food manufacturing sanitation, GMPs knowledge, and strong leadership. PastryStar offers competitive benefits and opportunities for advancement.

Qualifications

• GMPs and FDA/FSMA food safety standards understood.
• Ability to follow Master Sanitation Schedules and logs.
• Lead and train sanitation staff with strong communication.
• Lift up to 50 lbs and work in wet/humid environments.
• Experience supervising sanitation in food manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead sanitation team in cleaning of equipment and production areas.
• Ensure allergen changeovers and sanitation procedures are followed.
• Oversee cleaning of dry mix and liquid zones and equipment teardown.
• Audit sanitation records and coordinate with QA and Maintenance.
• Prepare for third-party audits and internal quality checks.

Skills

GMPs

Food safety standards

Leadership

Communication skills

Bi-lingual (Spanish/English)

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SDS management

Job description

Sanitation and Production Lead (Night Shift)

Why Join PastryStar

At PastryStar, we’re more than a team, we’re a family passionate about baking and innovation. We provide high-quality, all-natural, clean-label ingredients that help our customers create extraordinary products worldwide.

Joining us means:

• Innovation & Creativity: Work with cutting-edge pastry solutions and bring your ideas to life.
• Quality & Integrity: Be part of a team that values transparency, excellence, and ethical practices.
• Growth & Learning: Develop your skills in a supportive environment with industry experts.
• Team Spirit: Collaborate with a motivated, diverse, and passionate team.

If you love food, creativity, and making an impact in the bakery and pastry industry, PastryStar is the place for you!

About Us: PastryStar is located in Laurel, MD. Since 1986, the company has been manufacturing high quality, clean-label bakery ingredients (such as powder mixes, baking fruit jams, and fillings). Our core customers are industrial bakeries, in-store bakeries, and cruise lines.

What you’ll do

PastryStar, a manufacturer of premium bakery ingredients, is seeking a hands-on and organized Sanitation Lead to oversee and perform sanitation duties across our food production facility. This includes cleaning of equipment, production zones, and facility common areas, while supervising sanitation staff and ensuring compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the sanitation team in the cleaning and sanitizing of mixers, blenders, kettles, depositors, conveyors, tools, utensils, packaging lines, and all food-contact surfaces in accordance with the Master Sanitation Schedule.
• Ensure allergen changeovers and sanitation procedures are followed rigorously to prevent cross-contamination (e.g., between dairy, nuts, gluten-free, etc.).
• Perform and supervise cleaning of dry mix and liquid production zones, including equipment teardown and reassembly after sanitation.
• Oversee the sanitation of tanks, totes, and filling lines used for pastry creams, glazes, and other high-viscosity products.
• Ensure that floor drains, walls, ceilings, racks, pallets, and shelving in production and warehouse areas are routinely cleaned to prevent pest or mold issues.
• Ensure proper handling and safe use of cleaning chemicals used in a food manufacturing environment; maintain accurate SDS records.
• Conduct and document pre-op inspections before shift start to ensure areas are clean and production-ready.
• Train sanitation team members on GMPs, proper hygiene, PPE usage, and sanitation procedures specific to PastryStar’s product types and processes.
• Monitor sanitation records for accuracy and completeness; elevate any missed or incomplete tasks to management.
• Communicate effectively with Production, QA, and Maintenance to coordinate cleaning schedules, equipment access, and support for audits or shutdown cleanings.
• Assist in preparing for and supporting third-party food safety audits, customer inspections, and internal quality assessments.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• Minimum 5-10 years of sanitation experience in a food manufacturing environment
• Prior experience in a lead or supervisory role preferred
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
• Food safety standards (FDA, FSMA)
• Cleaning and sanitation chemicals, tools, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Dry mix and liquid production areas
• Common areas such as restrooms, breakrooms, and kitchens
• Ability to follow Master Sanitation Schedules and complete sanitation logs accurately
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills
• Ability to train and lead a small sanitation team
• Good communication skills; bilingual (Spanish/English) is a plus
• Lift up to 50 lbs
• Stand, bend, and climb for long periods
• Work in wet, humid, or temperature-controlled environments
• Willingness to wear required PPE at all times (gloves, goggles, boots, etc.)

PastryStar is proud to provide a clean, safe, and quality-driven environment. We are an equal opportunity employer and value teamwork, food safety, and operational excellence.

PLEASE NOTE: WE E-VERIFY.
All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment eligibility will be confirmed through the E-Verify system.

Job Type: Full-time

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Laurel, MD 20723 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Laurel, MD 20723: Relocate before starting work (Required)

PastryStar is more than a food manufacturer—it’s a team driven by passion, craftsmanship, and innovation. Founded by a French pastry chef and rooted in over 35 years of expertise, we create high-quality, clean-label ingredients that help professionals bring exceptional desserts to life. At PastryStar, we don’t just make products—we solve problems, elevate standards, and build something meaningful together.