Sanitation Lead- Shift 2

Primal Pet Foods; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Primal Pet Foods in Abilene, TX seeks a Sanitation Lead to supervise nightly sanitation teams, ensure GMP/HACCP compliance, and support SQF requirements. You will train staff, assign tasks, and maintain the Master Cleaning Schedule to keep production ready for the morning shift. Must be able to obtain forklift certification and work 2nd shift.

The role focuses on safety, quality, and efficiency in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment, with emphasis on teamwork and adherence to company specs.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years’ experience in sanitation leadership within manufacturing.
• Strong oral and written communication; good judgment, planning and problem-solving.
• Knowledge of FDA, GMPs, HACCP, OSHA; familiarity with processing/packaging equipment.
• Ability to train and supervise a team; safety oriented.
• Forklift certification or the ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Complying with GMPs, HACCP and other food safety guidelines and company specs.
• Maintains regular processes and paperwork for SQF compliance.
• Training personnel in safety, PPE, procedures, and equipment operation.
• Oversee daily cleaning of raw and finished goods areas.
• Ensure cleaning of machines to support on-time production.
• Provide leadership during day-to-day activities.
• Assign jobs and supervise employees.
• Address employee disputes and develop staff to self-direction.
• Ensure Master Cleaning Schedule is followed.
• Foster teamwork and open communication.
• Operate cleaning equipment safely and report malfunctions.
• Monitor productivity and minimize turnover.
• Prioritize tasks to meet business needs.
• Fill in for different roles as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Punctual and regular attendance.

Skills

Leadership

Sanitation leadership

GMP/HACCP knowledge

Safety training

English communication

Tools

Forklift

Job description

Under the direction of the Sanitation Supervisor, this position is responsible for assisting with the nightly operations by their respective assignments. The Sanitation Lead will provide oversight to the Sanitation Employees to ensure they are fully resourced and adhere to processes necessary for completion of all sanitation requirements, compliance with all food safety requirements, and adherence to GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices). In this capacity, follows all procedures related to quality, efficiency and safety. Team projects or other assignments as assigned by Sanitation Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Complying with GMPs, HACCP and other Food Safety, quality and security guidelines and strictly adhering to all Company specifications
• Maintains regular processes and paperwork required for continued SQF compliance
• Effective training of personnel in safety awareness, use of personal protection equipment, departmental procedures, and proper operation of relevant equipment
• Responsible for the oversight of daily cleaning of raw and finished goods processing and packaging departments.
• Meet company and Government regulated specifications by cleaning and sanitizing machines to ensure that morning production crews can start on time. This may include tasks such as prioritizing, planning and moving quickly and steadily through sanitation duties.
• Provides leadership to employees during day-to-day activities.
• Assign jobs, positions, projects, and tasks to employees as necessary.
• Address and resolve employee disputes and relations issues.
• Develop employees to perform in a self-directed manner.
• Ensure that the Master Cleaning Scheduled is completed based on the frequency stablished by the company.
• Foster and facilitate a strong team work environment by encouraging open communication between employees
• Spray machine parts and equipment with cleaners, sanitizers and hoses.
• Mix cleaning solutions, abrasive compositions, and other compounds, according to formulas to ensure proper cleaning and sanitizing.
• Inspect parts and equipment for cleanliness, damage, and compliance with standards or regulations.
• Proactively address potential issues/problems.
• Responsible for the safe operation of all equipment as well as reporting any malfunctions according to established quality oriented and safety procedures.
• Oversees employee's productivity, implements and supports GMP's, including the proper use of equipment materials, minimizes turnover and ensures a reliable and agile labor force.
• Ability to prioritize and follow-through to achieve results and meet deadlines to meet the needs of the business.
• Filling the demands of day-to-day operations by stepping in and filling in for different roles when needed and completing other tasks as assigned
• Other duties as assigned
• Punctual and Regular Attendance Required

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Shift: 2nd shift 3:00 pm to 11:30 pm

Must be located in Abilene, Tx (No relocation)

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• 2-3 years’ experience Sanitation leadership role within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written: good judgment, planning, organizing, innovative approach to problem solving, motivate employees.
• Must have a good practical knowledge of FDA, GMP's, HACCP, OSHA, etc., with a good background with processing and packaging equipment.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Good ability to read, speak and communicate in English with employees, direct supervisors, team leads and upper management. Bilingual ability strongly preferred.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add and subtract numbers and to multiply and divide and understand percentages. Ability to perform these operations using units of weight measurement and quantity measurements.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must be able to obtain Forklift certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand. The employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include peripheral vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, varying environments including extreme cold, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.