Sanitation Manager

A leading food manufacturer is seeking a Sanitation Manager to lead sanitation programs across multiple production facilities. This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for driving sanitation effectiveness, food safety, environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance, and sanitation team performance.

This is not an administrative or scheduling-focused position. The successful candidate will be a hands-on sanitation leader who can assess current programs, identify gaps and root causes, improve execution and accountability, and establish consistent sanitation standards across operations. The role requires strong floor presence, particularly during off-shift sanitation activities, and close partnership with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Food Safety teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve sanitation programs across two manufacturing facilities.
• Develop and maintain sanitation systems that support food safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, and operational performance.
• Drive execution of SSOPs, CIP programs, environmental monitoring programs, allergen controls, HACCP requirements, GMPs, and FSMA compliance.
• Evaluate sanitation effectiveness, identify deficiencies before production startup, and implement corrective actions.
• Lead sanitation teams through coaching, training, performance management, and accountability initiatives.
• Partner with Quality, Maintenance, and Operations to address hygienic design concerns, equipment-related sanitation risks, and environmental challenges.
• Ensure proper chemical handling, employee training, PPE usage, and sanitation safety practices.
• Support environmental and wastewater compliance initiatives through responsible water and chemical management practices.
• Monitor sanitation KPIs, audit results, environmental data, and corrective action programs to drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain readiness for regulatory inspections, customer audits, and food safety assessments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field preferred; equivalent industry experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive sanitation leadership experience within a food manufacturing environment.
• Dairy manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of environmental monitoring, pathogen control and prevention, allergen management, SSOPs, CIP systems, HACCP, GMPs, and FSMA requirements.
• Experience leading sanitation programs in regulated manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of sanitation chemicals, chemical safety, concentrations, compatibility, PPE requirements, and employee training.
• Understanding of wastewater management, environmental compliance, and regulatory requirements related to sanitation operations.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and build accountability throughout an organization.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and team development skills.

Work Environment

• Oversee Sanitation for two manufacturing facilities in Monticello, WI and Monroe, WI.
• Manufacturing environment with regular presence on production floors and sanitation shifts.
• Flexibility to support off-shift and overnight sanitation activities as needed.
• Frequent interaction with sanitation, quality, maintenance, operations, and food safety teams.

What the Company Offers

• Competitive compensation and annual incentive opportunity.
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• Career advancement and professional development opportunities.
• Opportunity to lead a critical function that directly impacts food safety, employee safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, and overall plant performance.
• High-visibility leadership role with the ability to shape and strengthen sanitation programs across multiple facilities.