Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Sanitation Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

We are actively seeking a diligent and detail-oriented Sanitation Specialist to join our team and become a cornerstone of our operational integrity. In this critical role, you will be responsible for upholding the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and hygiene within our production facility. You will execute comprehensive sanitation procedures to ensure our equipment, environment, and processes comply with all internal policies and external regulations, including GMP, HACCP, and SQF standards. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver who understands that their work is fundamental to product quality, consumer safety, and the overall success of our brand. This is an opportunity to be part of a team that values safety and quality above all else.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Production Line Worker
General Laborer or Utility Worker
Custodian or Janitorial Staff

Advancement To:

Sanitation Lead or Team Coordinator
Sanitation Supervisor / Manager
Quality Assurance (QA) Technician

Lateral Moves:

Maintenance Technician
Warehouse Associate
Quality Control (QC) Inspector

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Execute the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) with precision, ensuring all daily, weekly, monthly, and annual cleaning tasks for production equipment and facility areas are completed on time.
Perform comprehensive cleaning and sanitization of all food processing equipment, including disassembly and reassembly of machinery according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Operate and maintain industrial cleaning equipment such as high-pressure washers, floor scrubbers, foamers, and Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems safely and effectively.
Accurately measure, mix, and handle a variety of cleaning chemicals and sanitizing agents, adhering strictly to safety data sheets (SDS) and company safety protocols.
Conduct thorough pre-operational inspections and ATP swabbing on equipment and surfaces to verify cleaning effectiveness and ensure readiness for production.
Meticulously document all completed sanitation activities, chemical usage, and inspection results in daily logs and digital records for compliance and traceability.
Identify and report any potential food safety hazards, pest activity, or maintenance issues observed during sanitation activities to the appropriate supervisor.
Adhere to and champion all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety protocols, and personnel safety procedures to maintain a secure and compliant work environment.
Manage and properly dispose of waste materials, including food waste, recyclables, and hazardous materials, in accordance with environmental regulations.
Participate in titration testing and chemical concentration checks to ensure sanitizers and cleaning solutions are within their effective and safe ranges.
Assist in environmental monitoring programs by collecting samples as directed by the Quality Assurance department to test for pathogens and allergens.
Respond promptly to immediate sanitation needs or spills in the production area to prevent contamination and ensure operational continuity.
Maintain the cleanliness and organization of sanitation stations, chemical storage areas, and janitorial closets, ensuring all supplies are properly stocked and stored.
Undergo and actively participate in ongoing training sessions related to chemical safety, new sanitation procedures, HACCP, and other relevant food safety principles.
Collaborate with the production and maintenance teams to coordinate sanitation activities around production schedules and equipment repairs, minimizing downtime.
Perform detailed structural cleaning of the facility, including walls, ceilings, overhead pipes, vents, and drains, to prevent environmental contamination.
Follow allergen cleaning protocols with extreme care to prevent cross-contamination between different product runs.
Troubleshoot minor issues with sanitation equipment and perform basic preventative maintenance to keep tools in optimal working condition.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by providing feedback on sanitation procedures and suggesting more efficient or effective cleaning methods.
Support audit readiness by ensuring all areas of the facility are consistently maintained in an audit-ready state for internal and third-party inspections (e.g., SQF, BRC, FDA).
Safely operate forklifts or aerial lifts as needed for cleaning elevated surfaces, provided proper certification and training are completed.

Secondary Functions

Assist in maintaining inventory of sanitation chemicals and cleaning supplies, notifying a supervisor when orders are needed.
Support the training and onboarding of new sanitation team members by demonstrating proper procedures and safety protocols.
Participate in root cause analysis investigations related to sanitation failures or environmental monitoring deviations.
Contribute to team meetings and safety huddles, actively engaging in discussions about workplace safety and process improvements.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Chemical Handling: Proficient in safely mixing, handling, and applying industrial-grade cleaning chemicals and sanitizers.
Sanitation Procedures (SSOPs): Deep understanding of and ability to execute Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures.
Equipment Operation: Experience operating sanitation equipment such as CIP systems, floor scrubbers, and pressure washers.
GMP & Food Safety Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and principles of HACCP/SQF.
Documentation: Ability to accurately complete detailed logs, checklists, and reports.
Mechanical Aptitude: Competency in disassembling and reassembling production equipment for cleaning.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough in all cleaning and inspection tasks to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Time Management: Excellent ability to manage tasks and follow a strict schedule (MSS) to ensure timely completion of duties.
Problem-Solving: Proactive in identifying and reporting issues, with the ability to troubleshoot minor problems independently.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Works effectively with sanitation, production, and quality teams to achieve common goals.
Adaptability: Flexible to work in various environmental conditions (wet, hot, cold) and adjust to changing production schedules.
Strong Work Ethic: Self-motivated and reliable, with a commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety and quality.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training certificate in a relevant field or food safety certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Food Science
Occupational Health & Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-3 years of experience in a sanitation, custodial, or quality role, preferably within a food manufacturing, pharmaceutical, or regulated production environment.

Preferred:

Prior experience working with Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems, HACCP principles, and preparing for third-party food safety audits (SQF, BRC).