Sanitation Lead- shift 1

Primal Pet Foods; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 22,041 - 30,307; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with Company Match

Employee Referral Bonus Program

Attendance Incentives

Paid Vacation & Sick Time

8 Paid Company Holidays

Low-Cost Medical Insurance

Dental/Vision & Supplemental Coverage

Pet Insurance discounts

Career Growth & Training

Supportive Team Environment

Job summary

Primal Pet Foods is seeking a Sanitation Lead in Abilene, TX to oversee nightly sanitation operations and lead sanitation staff.

You will ensure GMP/HACCP compliance, train employees, maintain records, and drive continuous improvement while coordinating with the Sanitation Supervisor. This role requires strong leadership and knowledge of food-safety standards.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of supervisory or leadership experience in sanitation within a food manufacturing, processing, or production environment.
• Knowledge of sanitation programs, food safety standards, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with ability to motivate and develop employees.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, organize, and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience applying FDA regulations, GMPs, HACCP, OSHA, and food safety standards.
• Forklift certification required or ability to obtain certification upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Comply with GMPs, HACCP, SQF, and food safety standards.
• Maintain sanitation records and support SQF compliance.
• Train and coach employees on safety, PPE, sanitation, and equipment operation.
• Supervise daily cleaning of raw material, finished goods, and packaging areas.
• Ensure areas meet company, customer, and regulatory standards and start production on schedule.
• Plan and coordinate sanitation activities to complete tasks on time.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and support to sanitation staff.
• Assign tasks based on operational needs and supervise team performance.
• Address concerns, resolve conflicts, and promote accountability.
• Foster continuous improvement and self-directed performance.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Sanitation knowledge

GMP/HACCP/SQF

Leadership

English proficiency

Bilingual English/Spanish

Job description

PRIMAL IS GROWING — AND SO IS OUR TEAM!

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Sanitation Supervisor, the Sanitation Lead is responsible for supporting and coordinating nightly sanitation operations within their assigned areas. This role provides leadership and oversight to Sanitation Employees, ensuring team members are properly trained, equipped, and resourced to complete all sanitation activities effectively and on schedule.

The Sanitation Lead ensures compliance with sanitation procedures, food safety standards, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and all applicable regulatory requirements. In addition, this position promotes adherence to company policies related to quality, productivity, and workplace safety while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

The Sanitation Lead may also participate in special projects and perform other duties as assigned by the Sanitation Supervisor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Comply with all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP requirements, SQF standards, food safety regulations, quality standards, security procedures, and company specifications
• Maintain required sanitation records, documentation, and processes to support ongoing SQF certification and compliance
• Train and coach employees on safety procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitation processes, equipment operation, and food safety requirements
• Supervise and coordinate the daily cleaning and sanitation of raw material processing, finished goods processing, and packaging departments
• Ensure equipment, production areas, and facilities are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to meet company, customer, and regulatory standards, enabling production teams to begin operations on schedule
• Plan, prioritize, and coordinate sanitation activities to ensure timely completion of all assigned tasks
• Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance, and support to Sanitation Employees
• Assign work, projects, responsibilities, and job tasks to team members based on operational needs
• Address employee concerns, resolve workplace conflicts, and support positive employee relations
• Develop and mentor employees to promote accountability, continuous improvement, and self-directed performance
• Ensure the Master Sanitation Schedule is completed according to established frequencies and company requirements
• Foster a collaborative team environment through open communication, mutual respect, and employee engagement
• Safely operate and oversee the use of sanitation equipment, chemicals, tools, and machinery
• Prepare and mix cleaning and sanitizing solutions in accordance with approved procedures and manufacturer specifications
• Clean and sanitize equipment, machine components, and production areas using appropriate cleaning agents, sanitizers, hoses, and related tools
• Inspect equipment, facilities, and cleaned areas to verify cleanliness, identify damage, and ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards
• Promote and maintain excellent housekeeping practices throughout the facility
• Identify, communicate, and proactively resolve sanitation, safety, quality, and operational issues
• Monitor sanitation team productivity and performance while ensuring efficient use of labor, equipment, and materials
• Ensure all equipment is operated safely and report equipment malfunctions or maintenance concerns according to established procedures
• Support workforce reliability and efficiency by minimizing downtime and ensuring adequate staffing and resource allocation
• Demonstrate strong organizational, prioritization, and follow‑through skills to meet business needs and operational deadlines
• Provide hands‑on support during daily operations by performing sanitation duties and filling in for various roles as needed
• Perform other duties, projects, and responsibilities as assigned by management
• Maintain regular, punctual, and dependable attendance

Supervisory Responsibilities / Work Schedule

Shift: First Shift, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Schedule: Rotating schedule based on business needs.

Location: Abilene, Texas. Candidates must reside within reasonable commuting distance of the facility. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 2–3 years of supervisory or leadership experience in sanitation within a food manufacturing, processing, or production environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of sanitation programs, food safety standards, and regulatory compliance requirements
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop employees
• Proven ability to plan, prioritize, organize, and manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment
• Experience identifying and resolving operational, safety, and employee‑related issues using sound judgment and problem‑solving skills
• Working knowledge of FDA regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP principles, OSHA requirements, and food safety standards
• Familiarity with food processing, packaging, and sanitation equipment preferred

Language Skills

• Ability to read, write, speak, and communicate effectively in English
• Ability to communicate professionally with employees, supervisors, management, and cross‑functional teams
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) communication skills are strongly preferred

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and percentages
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts to weight measurements, quantities, production data, and sanitation‑related calculations

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to interpret and follow detailed written and verbal instructions
• Ability to analyze routine operational issues and exercise sound judgment in resolving problems
• Ability to work effectively in standardized situations while adapting to changing priorities and business needs

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Forklift certification required or the ability to successfully obtain certification upon hire
• Food safety, sanitation, HACCP, or SQF certifications are a plus

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand for extended periods throughout the work shift
• Frequently required to walk, reach, bend, stoop, and use hands and arms to handle equipment, tools, and sanitation materials
• Occasionally required to sit, talk, and hear
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and/or move up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Requires visual abilities including close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to identify cleanliness and safety concerns

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a food manufacturing and production environment
• Regular exposure to moving mechanical equipment and machinery
• Frequent exposure to wet conditions, cleaning chemicals, and varying temperatures, including refrigerated and cold processing areas
• Exposure to vibration, humidity, and other manufacturing‑related conditions
• The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate to loud, requiring the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as needed
• Must follow all safety, food safety, sanitation, and PPE requirements while performing job duties

Attendance Requirement

• Must be punctual with strong and consistent attendance

Compensation

$18.00 per hour

Schedule

1st Shift Monday – Friday 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Candidates must be flexible and available to work daily overtime as needed.

Benefits

• 401(k) with Company Match — up to 4%
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Attendance Incentives
• Paid Vacation & Sick Time
• 8 Paid Company Holidays Per Year
• Low-Cost Medical Insurance
• Competitive Dental, Vision & Supplemental Coverage
• Discounted Pet Insurance — because pets are family too!
• Career Growth Opportunities & Ongoing Training
• Supportive Team Environment & Much More!
• Join a company that values hard work, quality, and the people behind every product we make.