Sanitation Supervisor 3rd Shift

Woodland Gourmet; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

401k match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance

Job summary

Woodland Gourmet is seeking a Sanitation Supervisor for the 3rd shift to lead sanitation across the facility, ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance while coaching a team in a fast-paced environment.

You will supervise cleaning of production equipment, review sanitation documentation, and train new hires to uphold Woodland Gourmet standards. A strong focus on teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement is essential.

Qualifications

• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum 2–3 years of sanitation experience in food manufacturing required.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience required.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation procedures, GMPs, HACCP, and chemical handling practices required.
• Ability to work flexible hours, weekends, and overtime as business needs require.
• Ability to lift up to 55 lbs. (team lift required for anything over 55 lbs.).
• Ability to work in wet, cold, dusty, or chemical-exposed environments.
• Must consistently follow all Woodland Gourmet food safety, quality, sanitation, and safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate all 3rd shift sanitation activities across the facility.
• Lead the sanitation team in cleaning and sanitizing production equipment, processing lines, and plant environment.
• Ensure sanitation tasks are completed safely and efficiently to support readiness.
• Verify production lines and equipment are properly cleaned and sanitized prior to startup and release.
• Conduct pre-operational inspections and corrective follow-up as needed.
• Ensure accurate completion and review of sanitation documentation, MSS records, chemical logs, titration records, and compliance paperwork.
• Perform and verify titration checks to ensure proper chemical concentration and usage.
• Monitor compliance with GMPs, PPE requirements, food safety programs, OSHA standards, and sanitation SOPs.
• Coach, train, and develop sanitation employees to improve performance, consistency, accountability, and technical capability.
• Lead onboarding and hands-on training for new sanitation employees to ensure understanding of Woodland Gourmet sanitation standards and expectations.
• Build a positive team culture focused on respect, accountability, teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement.
• Address performance concerns promptly through coaching, follow-up, and documentation when necessary.
• Partner closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Warehouse teams to support operational needs and minimize downtime.
• Identify sanitation improvement opportunities related to efficiency, food safety, chemical usage, labor utilization, and equipment cleaning methods.
• Ensure proper usage, storage, and handling of sanitation chemicals and cleaning equipment.
• Assist in audit readiness and support internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
• Maintain shift communication and provide detailed pass-down updates to leadership and incoming teams.
• Support staffing coverage, scheduling, and overtime planning as needed.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Team-building

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Urgency

Operational focus

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Title: Sanitation Supervisor 3 rd shift

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Sanitation Manager

Supervises: Sanitation Department employees (18+ employees)

Travel: As needed according to the essential functions of the position

Department: Sanitation Department

Job Purpose

The Sanitation Supervisor is responsible for leading all 3rd shift sanitation operations to ensure the facility, equipment, and production environment meet food safety, quality, and regulatory standards. This role is responsible for maintaining high sanitation expectations, developing and coaching employees, building a strong team culture, and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and with a high level of organization in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate all 3rd shift sanitation activities across the facility.
• Lead the sanitation team in the cleaning and sanitizing of production equipment, processing lines, and plant environment in accordance with company procedures and food safety standards.
• Ensure sanitation tasks are completed thoroughly, safely, and efficiently to support operational readiness.
• Verify production lines and equipment are properly cleaned and sanitized prior to startup and release to Production.
• Conduct pre-operational inspections and corrective follow-up as needed.
• Ensure accurate completion and review of sanitation documentation, MSS records, chemical logs, titration records, and compliance paperwork.
• Perform and verify titration checks to ensure proper chemical concentration and usage.
• Monitor compliance with GMPs, PPE requirements, food safety programs, OSHA standards, and sanitation SOPs.
• Coach, train, and develop sanitation employees to improve performance, consistency, accountability, and technical capability.
• Lead onboarding and hands-on training for new sanitation employees to ensure understanding of Woodland Gourmet sanitation standards and expectations.
• Build a positive team culture focused on respect, accountability, teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement.
• Address performance concerns promptly through coaching, follow-up, and documentation when necessary.
• Partner closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Warehouse teams to support operational needs and minimize downtime.
• Identify sanitation improvement opportunities related to efficiency, food safety, chemical usage, labor utilization, and equipment cleaning methods.
• Ensure proper usage, storage, and handling of sanitation chemicals and cleaning equipment.
• Assist in audit readiness and support internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
• Maintain shift communication and provide detailed pass-down updates to leadership and incoming teams.
• Support staffing coverage, scheduling, and overtime planning as needed.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Leadership Expectations

• Holds high sanitation and food safety standards.
• Leads through coaching, accountability, and consistency.
• Creates a respectful and positive work environment.
• Empowers employees while maintaining clear expectations.
• Builds trust and teamwork across departments.
• Demonstrates urgency, ownership, and proactive problem-solving.
• Communicates effectively with both hourly employees and leadership teams.
• Develops employees through training, follow-up, and recognition.
• Helps establish a culture where employees feel supported, engaged, and accountable.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum 2–3 years of sanitation experience in food manufacturing required.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience required.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation procedures, GMPs, HACCP, and chemical handling practices required.
• Ability to work flexible hours, weekends, and overtime as business needs require.
• Ability to lift up to 55 lbs. (team lift required for anything over 55 lbs.).
• Ability to work in wet, cold, dusty, or chemical-exposed environments.
• Must consistently follow all Woodland Gourmet food safety, quality, sanitation, and safety requirements.

Skills/Abilities

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and sanitation standards.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, follow through, and drive accountability.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments while maintaining urgency and operational focus.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This position does not allow for remote work.

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and frequently bend and move about the facility
• Frequently required to lift up to 55 pounds (anything over 55 lbs, team lift)
• Must be able to climb ladders and maneuver in small spaces

Personal Protective Equipment

The performance of this position requires exposure to the manufacturing and warehouse areas, which under certain conditions may require the use of personal protective equipment.

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 essential functions.

• Works in a manufacturing environment
• Exposure to dust, odors, and noise

Woodland Gourmet hires exceptional people to perform a wide variety of important functions that contribute to the success of our organization. We offer a competitive compensation package with benefits. The estimated salary for this role will be $75,000 to $88,000. This position is eligible for an annual bonus (based on the incentive program terms and conditions). Based on your qualifications, previous experience, and transferable skills, the company will determine, at its discretion, the hourly rate offered and will reflect the market conditions and cost of living for your geographic location.

Our benefits program is designed to support our team in leading healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. We deeply value the contributions of our team members and are committed to offering a competitive total compensation package. Additionally, we offer medical, prescription drug plans, dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, vision insurance, flexible spending account, health savings account, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance program, voluntary benefits (hospital, critical illness, personal accident, legal & identify theft), 401k with company match, paid family leave, paid holidays and paid time off.

Woodland Gourmet is a participant in the federal E-Verify program. As part of the hiring process, we will verify the information provided on your Form I-9 to confirm your eligibility to work in the United States.E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to government records to confirm employment eligibility. For more information on E-Verify and your rights, please visit the E-Verify website .