Sanitation Manager

SunOpta, Inc.; Omak (WA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

SunOpta, Inc. in Omak, WA, seeks a Sanitation Manager to lead the sanitation program, maintain SSOPs, and ensure product safety and quality at the facility. You will coordinate teams, provide tools and training, and drive audit readiness for SQF, HACCP, and GMP compliance.

The role includes supervising up to 19 sanitation staff, enforcing chemical safety, and developing action plans for nonconformances to keep sanitation on schedule.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in sanitation leadership in food processing.
• HACCP certification preferred.
• QA experience in high-speed manufacturing.
• B.S. in a relevant field or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Direct sanitation program direction, coordination, and evaluation.
• Ensure cleaning per SSOPs and schedule using approved chemicals.
• Lead and train employees on pre-operational inspections of equipment.
• Direct sanitation staff activities and set priorities for cleaning and schedule alignment.
• Ensure safe handling of chemicals and maintain Safety Data Sheets.

Skills

Sanitation leadership

GMP knowledge

Food safety

Training and coaching

Education

B.S. in Chemical Engineering; Industrial Engineering; Food Science; Microbiology

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Summary

The Sanitation Manager will ensure the effectiveness of the cleaning and sanitation program to maintain an appropriate environment for the manufacture of safe products at our Omak facility. This role will coordinate team activities and ensure teams have the tools, equipment and materials so that cleaning, sanitization, and pest control processes at the plant are done well the first time. The manager will also own sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOP’s) to ensure the safety and quality of our products while complying with and maintaining the safety, health and environmental requirements applicable to this position.

Essential Functions of the Job

• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the sanitation and janitorial program.
• Ensure that all equipment and environmental surfaces are cleaned per SSOP, according to the cleaning record schedule, and using approved chemicals
• Lead and train all levels of employees on pre-operational inspections of equipment
• Direct sanitation employee activities and establish priorities for cleaning in keeping with effective operation and cleaning schedule
• Ensure safe handling of chemicals and use of approved chemicals, including obtaining Safety Data Sheets.
• Own, review, and create action plans when nonconformances associated with cleaning activities.
• Identify challenges and concerns in order to communicate/ take corrective actions.
• Responsible for preparing and maintaining all requisite documentation for successful implementation of SQF as it pertains to sanitation and related activities. Including the documents related to: HACCP, SSOP’s, and GMP’s that touch the area of sanitation.
• Responsible for deploying all sanitation department assets in an efficient and safe manner to ensure that audit ready for sanitation-related audits.
• Prepare, implement, and audit the Master sanitation schedule to effectively address all equipment and facility cleanliness and suitability to food preparation and manufacture activities.
• Responsible for the selection and usage of appropriate chemicals, dispensing devices and allied equipment, including managing cost benefits aspects.
• Works with third party service providers (such as chemical providers and sanitation consultants) to troubleshoot sanitation issues and drive cost savings.
• Calibrate and clean equipment to ensure results are correct.
• Lead facility validations according to schedule. Assist with investigations, troubleshooting, and program review related to incident management.
• Ensure effective safety procedures, tools and record keeping are managed through site leadership.
• Adheres to company GMP’s (good manufacturing practices), safety procedures, and all other quality processes.
• Wear and govern use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when required.
• All other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manage up to 19 sanitation employees and is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of sanitation team.
• Provide employee coaching and development for team members.

Minimum Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below 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.
• 5+ years of work experience in a Sanitation Leadership role, three years as a HACCP Certified Sanitation Manager for a food processing facility preferred.
• QA related experience in a high-speed automated Consumer Goods manufacturing environment preferred (e.g. production of food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and/or household goods)
• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Food Science, Microbiology or related field or equivalent related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Certification
• SQF Certification
• Preventive Control Qualified Individual (PCQI) Certification

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of expense management and control
• Understanding of Manual Cleaning and Clean in Place systems
• Knowledge in Food Industry Quality Control Systems as well as FDA Criteria and Good Manufacturing Practices
• Knowledge in microbiology, microbial elimination systems, and sanitization of food plants
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing practices is beneficial
• Great verbal, written, multi-tasking and presentation skills.
• Ability to create momentum and foster organizational change.
• Bilingual in Spanish is beneficial.
• Must have a working knowledge of MS Word and PowerPoint and be proficient with MS Excel software.

Additional Considerations

• This position is located in our fruit snack production facility in Omak, WA

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• All work is completed in a manufacturing environment.
• Employee must be able to stand for long hours.