Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

We are seeking a strategic, results-driven Senior Director of Sanitation to lead sanitation programs across all company-owned manufacturing facilities. This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and validating best-in-class sanitation protocols that ensure food safety, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and brand protection. The Senior Director will own all SSOPs, drive sanitation training and execution, and serve as the subject matter expert on sanitation standards, innovation, and continuous improvement across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Develop and lead the enterprise-wide sanitation strategy across all manufacturing facilities
• Serve as the corporate authority on sanitation practices, emerging technologies, and regulatory compliance
• Collaborate cross-functionally with FSQA, Operations, R&D, Maintenance, and Procurement to ensure alignment of sanitation priorities with business goals
• Create and monitor enterprise-wide Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) specific to Sanitation and Pest Control

Sanitation Program Ownership

• Lead the creation, standardization, and rollout of all Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), Master Sanitation Schedules, and Integrated Pest Control.
• Own sanitation verification and validation programs, including microbiological verification, ATP swabbing, allergen validations, air quality monitoring, CIP system validations, and environmental monitoring program (EMP) integration.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase sanitation effectiveness, labor efficiency, and chemical/utility cost optimization

Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, FSMA, GFSI standards (SQF, BRC, etc.), and internal company policies
• Oversee third-party sanitation audits and support regulatory inspections across all plants
• Lead sanitation-related root cause investigations and corrective actions for environmental or finished product positives, allergen cross-contact, or pest-related issues

Training & Talent Development

• Develop and implement a standardized sanitation training curriculum for in-plant teams, including onboarding, annual certification, and retraining protocols
• Build a strong network of plant sanitation managers and leads, providing leadership, coaching, and growth capability
• Foster a culture of sanitation ownership and accountability across all levels of plant operations

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Engineering, or related field required
• Minimum 10 years of progressive sanitation leadership experience in food manufacturing, with multi-plant responsibility and CIP equipment
• PCQI (Preventative Controls Qualified Individual) Certification
• Deep understanding of food safety principles, hygienic design, SSOP development, and regulatory frameworks
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and executing sanitation transformations with both dedicated sanitation teams and Operational based cleaning teams
• Hands-on experience with sanitation validation protocols, EMPs, and allergen control programs
• Strong analytical, leadership, and communication skills
• Willingness to travel (~50%) to manufacturing sites and monitor night shift as needed or whenever sanitation is conducted

Preferred Certifications:

• HACCP Certification
• SQF Practitioner or equivalent GFSI scheme training
• Sanitation Professional Certificate (e.g., from Ecolab, AIB, CFFS, or similar)
• Formal Pest Control Training (e.g., from Ecolab, Copesan, Terminix, or similar)

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