Sanitation Manager
Job Description
- The ideal candidate is a proactive leader with hands-on experience managing sanitation teams in a food manufacturing environment, strong working knowledge of sanitation and food safety protocols, and the ability to drive continuous improvement across sanitation programs.
- Lead, manage, and train sanitation staff to ensure all cleaning and sanitation procedures meet USDA, FDA, GMP, HACCP, SSOP, and BRC requirements.
- Maintain and enforce the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS); ensure documentation and compliance are accurate and complete.
- Conduct routine audits and inspections of sanitation processes, chemical usage, and equipment teardown procedures.
- Ensure all microbiological and environmental testing programs are in place and within acceptable thresholds.
- Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and quality teams to optimize cleaning processes and minimize downtime.
- Manage sanitation supply inventory and chemical usage; ensure cost-effective and safe operations.
- Champion a culture of safety, accountability, and compliance among the sanitation team.
- Support internal and third-party audit readiness and respond to corrective actions as needed.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 5 years of experience in a sanitation leadership role within a USDA/FDA-regulated food manufacturing facility.
- Extensive knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, SSOPs, and food safety standards.
- Experience managing sanitation chemicals, cleaning procedures, and sanitation team performance.
- Proven ability to lead audits and training programs.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).
- Must be able to work in cold, wet, or humid environments and lift up to 50 lbs.
Meet Your Recruiter
Alicia Alexander
Technical Recruiter & Team Mentor
Alicia Alexander is a Technical Recruiter and Team Mentor at Sterling Engineering with four years of recruiting experience and nearly three years with Sterling. She specializes in engineering, manufacturing, and technical recruiting, supporting roles across maintenance, reliability, operations, engineering, and industrial environments, including food and life sciences.
Alicia is passionate about helping people find careers where they feel genuinely happy, supported, and positioned for long-term growth. She enjoys building meaningful relationships with candidates, helping them take the next step in their careers, and supporting companies as they build strong, high-performing teams.
With a background in psychology and human resources from North Central College, Alicia brings a people-focused approach to recruiting. Her understanding of relationship building, communication, and candidate motivation helps her create successful matches between talent and opportunity.
Alicia is known for developing strong partnerships with both candidates and hiring managers, with a focus on creating long-term placements that benefit both the individual and the organization.