Sanitation Manager

Whitsons Culinary Group; Berkeley (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitsons Culinary Group in Berkeley, IL is seeking a hands-on Sanitation Manager to oversee all sanitation activities within our food production facility.

You will develop and monitor sanitation procedures, train staff, conduct inspections, and coordinate corrective actions while partnering with Operations and Quality to support production goals and ensure audits pass. This role requires on-site presence, flexibility for early mornings or weekends, and a focus on GMP and safety.

Qualifications

• Experience in sanitation management or supervisory roles in food manufacturing or service.
• Knowledge of FDA, USDA, and local health codes; GMP familiarity.
• Ability to work on-site with flexible hours and physically active tasks.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all sanitation activities to ensure a clean, safe production environment.
• Develop, implement, and monitor sanitation procedures and schedules.
• Lead, train, and develop sanitation staff.
• Conduct regular sanitation inspections and address corrective actions.
• Collaborate with operations and quality teams to support production goals.
• Maintain documentation and prepare for internal and external audits.

Skills

Food Safety

Food Science

Quality Assurance

Food Manufacturing

Training

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Public Health, or related field

Tools

Basic computer applications

Job description

Company Description

Whitsons Culinary Group®, founded in 1979, provides dining services to public and private organizations across the United States and continues to expand nationally. The company offers a wide range of solutions, including school nutrition, residential, healthcare, emergency, and specialty dining services, tailored from consulting and delivered meals to full-service models. Whitsons is recognized for customized services, innovative programs, quality, nutrition focus, local sourcing, and strong community support. As a family-operated, minority-owned business, Whitsons embraces diversity as a core value and follows the mission of “Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time™” by striving to exceed customer expectations with every meal. Candidates can learn more about the company and career opportunities through its website and social media channels.

Role Description

The Sanitation Manager is a full-time, on-site role based in Berkeley, IL, responsible for overseeing all sanitation activities within the facility to ensure a clean, safe, and compliant food production environment. This role includes developing, implementing, and monitoring sanitation procedures, schedules, and standards in alignment with company policies and regulatory requirements. The Sanitation Manager leads and trains sanitation team members, conducts regular inspections, and coordinates corrective actions to address any sanitation or safety concerns. Daily responsibilities also involve working closely with operations and quality teams to support production goals, maintain documentation, and prepare for internal and external audits. The role requires a hands-on approach, active presence on the production floor, and continuous improvement of sanitation processes.

Qualifications

• Candidates should possess skills in Food Safety and Food Science to ensure safe handling, processing, and cleaning practices in a food production environment.
• Candidates should possess Quality Assurance and Food Manufacturing skills to maintain standards, support compliance with regulations, and collaborate effectively with production teams.
• Candidates should possess Training skills to effectively lead, coach, and develop sanitation staff on procedures, safety, and best practices.
• Relevant experience in sanitation management or supervisory roles in food manufacturing or food service operations is beneficial.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, USDA, local health codes) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) is preferred.
• Ability to work on-site with flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, or weekends as needed, and to perform physically active tasks in a plant environment.
• Effective communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with proficiency in maintaining records and using basic computer applications.
• An associate or bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Public Health, or a related field, or equivalent experience, is preferred.