Senior Sanitation Compliance Specialist

Placements24; Stellenbosch Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 850,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Senior Sanitation Compliance Specialist to join their team in Paarl, Western Cape. You will be the subject matter expert on sanitation compliance, developing and monitoring sanitation programs in collaboration with QA and production teams.

Role requires deep knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and GFSI standards, and the ability to train staff, perform audits, and drive CAPAs to maintain product safety and quality in an industrial setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in sanitation, hygiene, or quality assurance within the food manufacturing or beverage industry.
• In-depth knowledge of HACCP, GMP, GFSI standards (e.g., BRC, SQF), and other relevant food safety regulations.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing successful sanitation programs.
• Strong understanding of cleaning chemistry, microbiology, and sanitation equipment.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and investigative skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to train and influence others.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a highly organized approach to work.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Proficiency in record-keeping and basic data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain sanitation programs and SOPs.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, GMP, GFSI standards) and internal policies.
• Conduct regular sanitation audits and inspections of production areas, equipment, and storage facilities.
• Investigate sanitation-related non-compliance issues, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs).
• Oversee the correct use and storage of cleaning chemicals and sanitizers, ensuring safety and efficacy.
• Collaborate with the production and quality assurance teams to integrate sanitation requirements into operational processes.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on proper sanitation techniques and hygiene best practices.
• Maintain detailed records of sanitation activities, audits, and CAPAs.
• Stay current with industry best practices, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes in sanitation and food safety.
• Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory inspections related to sanitation.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Sanitation Compliance Specialist to join their team in Paarl, Western Cape. This critical role is responsible for ensuring that all sanitation and hygiene practices within their production facilities meet stringent internal standards and external regulatory requirements. You will be the subject matter expert on sanitation compliance, working closely with quality assurance, production, and operational teams to develop, implement, and monitor sanitation programs. This position demands a deep understanding of food safety principles, regulatory frameworks, and practical application of cleaning and sanitization protocols in an industrial setting. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, and possesses strong analytical and problem-solving skills. You will play a key role in maintaining product safety, preventing contamination, and ensuring the overall integrity of the manufacturing process in Paarl, Western Cape.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive sanitation programs and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure compliance with all relevant food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, GMP, GFSI standards) and internal policies.
• Conduct regular sanitation audits and inspections of production areas, equipment, and storage facilities.
• Investigate sanitation-related non-compliance issues, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs).
• Oversee the correct use and storage of cleaning chemicals and sanitizers, ensuring safety and efficacy.
• Collaborate with the production and quality assurance teams to integrate sanitation requirements into operational processes.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on proper sanitation techniques and hygiene best practices.
• Maintain detailed records of sanitation activities, audits, and CAPAs.
• Stay current with industry best practices, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes in sanitation and food safety.
• Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory inspections related to sanitation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in sanitation, hygiene, or quality assurance within the food manufacturing or beverage industry.
• In-depth knowledge of HACCP, GMP, GFSI standards (e.g., BRC, SQF), and other relevant food safety regulations.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing successful sanitation programs.
• Strong understanding of cleaning chemistry, microbiology, and sanitation equipment.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and investigative skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to train and influence others.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a highly organized approach to work.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Proficiency in record-keeping and basic data analysis.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid and a provident fund. This role provides significant opportunities for professional growth and development in the field of food safety and sanitation. You will be part of a dedicated team focused on upholding the highest product quality and safety standards in Paarl, Western Cape. The company fosters a collaborative work environment and recognizes employee contributions through performance incentives and career advancement opportunities. Regular training on the latest sanitation techniques and regulatory updates will be provided.