Sanitation Supervisor

Position Overview

The Sanitation Supervisor is responsible for managing and maintaining the site-wide sanitation program within a manufacturing environment. This position provides leadership to ensure that cleaning activities, sanitation standards, employee practices, chemical management, and regulatory requirements are consistently met across the facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Support annual audits by providing relevant documentation, identifying opportunities for improvement, and helping establish and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve sanitation procedures and cleaning standards, including defined cleaning durations and equipment-specific sanitation sequences.
• Direct the operation and effectiveness of both Clean-in-Place (CIP) and Clean-out-of-Place (COP) cleaning systems.
• Review sanitation performance data, identify trends and recurring issues, and use findings to establish appropriate improvement plans.
• Lead the rollout and ongoing adherence to operational and sanitation standards throughout the facility.
• Coordinate, supervise, and train sanitation and production employees in the proper execution of cleaning activities in accordance with the Master Sanitation Schedule, daily assignments, maintenance requirements, and production plans.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact between the manufacturing site and external sanitation chemical providers.
• Promote a safe workplace for sanitation personnel by maintaining appropriate chemical handling practices, safety procedures, and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) documentation.
• Coordinate chemical safety training with suppliers and supplement supplier-provided training where additional site-specific instruction is required.
• Organize and maintain sanitation chemical and supply storage areas to ensure they are safe, orderly, clearly managed, and compliant with applicable requirements.
• Ensure site sanitation practices remain aligned with applicable corporate/global cleaning and sanitation standards.
• Develop and implement sanitation verification and validation activities to demonstrate that cleaning procedures are effective and consistently achieve the required level of hygiene.
• Work closely with operational and business leaders to identify and implement process improvements that enhance sanitation effectiveness, efficiency, safety, and quality.
• Supervise the sanitation team, including setting expectations, monitoring performance, providing coaching, addressing performance concerns, and supporting employee development.
• Prepare, administer, and monitor the sanitation department's operating budget.
• Provide ongoing instruction, coaching, and development for employees involved in sanitation activities.
• Monitor workplace conditions and practices to ensure employee safety requirements are being followed.
• Ensure routine, scheduled, and periodic sanitation activities are completed throughout the manufacturing facility and applicable external areas of the site.
• Develop daily and periodic sanitation plans, allocate responsibilities to team members, and provide clear direction to ensure required activities are completed on schedule.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by the needs of the operation.

Required Experience and Competencies

• Previous experience within a manufacturing environment and/or experience in a supervisory or leadership capacity.
• A Certified Sanitarian credential or ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) certification is desirable.
• Working knowledge of HACCP principles, microbiology, industrial sanitation, chemical safety, pest management, and quality management systems.
• Familiarity with applicable requirements and regulations associated with OSHA, FDA, USDA, and EPA.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams effectively and communicate clearly with employees, management, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Strong technical, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving capabilities, with a high level of attention to detail.
• Understanding of manufacturing, production, quality, and operational systems, including related procedures and policies.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate multiple activities, establish practical work plans, and allocate resources effectively.
• Demonstrated reliability, sound judgment, and personal accountability, with the ability to work independently and make appropriate decisions with limited supervision.