Lead Sanitation Technician

PURPOSE OF JOB: The Sanitation Lead is a working leader who is responsible for overseeing all sanitation operations to ensure the facility is cleaned and sanitized according to food safety and quality standards. This role leads the sanitation team, monitors work, ensures compliance with regulatory guidelines (FDA, USDA, SQF, etc.), and works closely with production and quality assurance teams to maintain a safe, clean, and efficient production environment.

Description of Primary Duties:

Equipment & Facility Cleaning

• Lead, train, and supervise the sanitation team to ensure proper cleaning procedures, proper chemical handling, and sanitation of all production equipment, facility and grounds.

• Assign daily tasks and monitor team performance to ensure efficiency and adherence to sanitation schedules.

• Understand and ensure compliance with all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP, FDA, USDA, and BRC standards.

• Maintain accurate sanitation records, including cleaning logs, checklists, and inspections.

• Assist Sanitation team in completing work orders promptly and efficiently.

• Actively participate in sanitation duties including disassembly, cleaning, sanitizing, and reassembly of production equipment, and deep cleaning projects (Monster Cleans).

Food Safety & Compliance

• Conduct team meetings and provide ongoing coaching to improve sanitation processes and employee performance.

• Conduct routine pre-operational inspections to verify that equipment and production areas meet sanitation and food safety standards before production starts.

• Work with the Quality Control (QC) team to resolve any sanitation-related non-conformities.

• Participate in regulatory audits and internal inspections, ensuring compliance with sanitation protocols.

• Maintain knowledge of industry best practices and continuously improve sanitation procedures.

Safety & Continuous Improvement

• Communicate all problems or out-of-control situations to the Production Manager in a timely manner.

• Ensure team compliance with OSHA, PPE, and workplace safety standards to prevent workplace injuries.

• Identify areas for continuous improvement in sanitation processes and recommend solutions to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

• Work collaboratively with production, quality, and maintenance departments to coordinate sanitation activities, address issues, and minimize downtime.

QUALIFICATIONS:

ESSENTIAL

• High school graduate or equivalent

• Able to perform physical requirements of all positions.

• Prior manufacturing supervisory/Lead experience (minimum of 2 years)

• Two to four years sanitation experience in a food/FDA regulated manufacturing/packaging or processing facility

• Demonstrated success in people management and proactive thinking

• Good mechanical aptitude

• Able to work flexible schedule and overtime

• Able to effectively speak before groups of employees of the organization

DESIRABLE

• Sanitarian certification or Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health or related science.

• Cooperative attitude/team orientated

• Bilingual - Spanish/English

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a manufacturing facility with exposure to wet floors, cleaning chemicals, moving machinery and equipment, loud noises, fumes, airborne particles, and temperature variations. Work may include working outside in adverse weather conditions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (See end table)

• Ability to lift 50+ lbs. and work in cold, wet, and high-moisture environments.

• Standing, bending, and climbing for extended periods.

• Ability to work at heights above 4 feet

• Exposure to industrial cleaning chemicals and high-pressure washing systems.

Why Join Us?

At Good Sense Foods, we believe in nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and creating a positive impact through our healthier food products. As part of our team, you will play a critical role in shaping our brand’s future while working in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Hours: Core hours will be 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Must be able to work flexible schedule. Position may include overtime hours.

Salary Range:

The expected hourly rate for this position is $26.00 - $30.00. This range reflects various factors such as education, skills, work experience, certifications, and more. Therefore, the final compensation for the selected candidate may fall anywhere within this range.

Benefits:

Good Sense Foods offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, HSA with company match, dental, life, vision, long and short-term disability, accident, critical illness, 401K with company match, prepaid legal plan, ID protection plan, and education reimbursement.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Good Sense Foods is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.