Sanitation Operations Manager

Cardinal-Foods; Burgaw (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Cardinal Foods LLC is seeking a Sanitation Manager to lead the sanitation program across the processing facility, ensuring cleaning, safety, and regulatory compliance. You will supervise a sanitation team, develop SSOPs, and collaborate with Production and Quality/Food Safety to keep production areas clean and compliant.

The role requires strong leadership, attention to detail, and the ability to manage safety, chemical handling, and documentation. Flexibility for shifts and overtime is expected.

Qualifications

• Must have sanitation experience in a food manufacturing or processing environment.
• Experience supervising a sanitation team.
• Strong understanding of SSOPs and food safety regulations.
• Ability to lead and motivate a diverse workforce.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Production, Quality/Food Safety, Maintenance, and other departments.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required by production needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and manage daily sanitation department activities.
• Provide direction, training, coaching, and accountability to sanitation employees.
• Ensure all production equipment, processing areas, floors, walls, drains, utensils, and facility areas are properly cleaned and sanitized.
• Develop, implement, and maintain effective sanitation programs and SSOPs.
• Ensure sanitation activities are completed according to established schedules and documented accurately.
• Conduct regular inspections of the facility and equipment to identify sanitation deficiencies and ensure corrective actions are completed.
• Work closely with the Quality/Food Safety Department to ensure sanitation practices meet food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate sanitation activities with Production to minimize downtime and ensure equipment is ready for production.
• Maintain proper use, storage, labeling, and handling of cleaning chemicals and sanitation supplies.
• Maintain inventory levels of sanitation chemicals, PPE, tools, and equipment.
• Ensure sanitation employees have necessary PPE, equipment, and supplies.
• Maintain an organized sanitation storage area, chemical room, equipment cage, and surrounding areas.
• Ensure sanitation equipment is properly maintained and available for use.
• Monitor chemical concentrations, water temperatures, and other sanitation parameters as required.
• Investigate sanitation issues and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Assist with environmental monitoring and other food safety programs as assigned.
• Ensure sanitation records, inspection forms, chemical logs, and other required documentation are completed accurately and on time.
• Participate in internal and external audits and assist with responding to audit findings.
• Maintain compliance with company policies and applicable FDA, USDA, OSHA, HACCP, GMP, and food safety requirements.
• Promote safe work practices and ensure employees follow all safety procedures.
• Conduct or coordinate employee training related to sanitation procedures, chemical safety, PPE, food safety, and company policies.
• Monitor employee performance, attendance, and adherence to department expectations.
• Address performance issues promptly and work with Human Resources when necessary.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, and training sanitation employees.
• Develop and maintain sanitation schedules based on production needs.
• Communicate sanitation concerns, equipment issues, and operational needs to Plant Management.
• Support continuous improvement efforts to improve sanitation effectiveness, employee safety, efficiency, and overall plant cleanliness.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

Skills

Sanitation experience

Supervisory experience

Industrial sanitation

Leadership

Organizational skills

Interdepartmental collaboration

Flexible hours

Fast-paced environment

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree (preferred)

Job description

Cardinal Foods LLC is seeking a Sanitation Manager to lead the sanitation program across the processing facility, ensuring cleaning, safety, and regulatory compliance. You will supervise a sanitation team, develop SSOPs, and collaborate with Production and Quality/Food Safety to keep production areas clean and compliant.

The role requires strong leadership, attention to detail, and the ability to manage safety, chemical handling, and documentation. Flexibility for shifts and overtime is expected.