Position Summary

The 2nd Shift Sanitation Supervisor leads the overnight sanitation program in a USDA-regulated, SQF-certified frozen food manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for the safe, effective, and timely cleaning and sanitizing of all production areas, equipment, and utensils to ensure the facility is production-ready for the following shift. The Supervisor leads, trains, and develops the sanitation crew; ensures full compliance with Master Sanitation Schedules (MSS), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), and chemical handling protocols; and partners closely with QA, Production, Maintenance, and Pest Control to protect product safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Sanitation Operations

• Lead and execute daily, weekly, and periodic sanitation activities in accordance with the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) and written SSOPs.
• Oversee the 7-step wet cleaning process (dry pick-up, pre-rinse, soap/foam application, manual scrub, rinse, inspection, sanitizer application) and verify each step is completed correctly before equipment release.
• Verify pre-operational (pre-op) inspections of all production lines, equipment, drains, walls, ceilings, and overhead structures before start-up; sign off only when sanitary conditions meet specification.
• Perform and document ATP swabbing, environmental monitoring swabs (Listeria/Salmonella program), and visual inspections; investigate and document any failures.
• Ensure proper disassembly, cleaning, sanitizing, and reassembly of processing equipment (mixers, fillers, fryers, conveyors, ovens, freezers, hoppers, utensils, etc.).
• Manage allergen cleaning and changeover procedures to prevent cross-contact.

Chemical Handling & Safety

• Ensure all sanitation chemicals are used at correct concentrations, temperatures, and contact times per chemical supplier specifications and titration logs.
• Maintain accurate, organized, and accessible Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals on site.
• Verify proper labeling, secondary containment, and segregation of chemicals in storage and at point-of-use.
• Enforce 100% PPE compliance for sanitation activities: chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles/face shields, aprons, boots, and hearing protection where required.
• Coordinate with the chemical vendor (e.g., Ecolab, PSSI, or equivalent) on titration audits, chemical optimization, dispenser calibration, and crew training.
• Lead lockout/tagout (LOTO) verification during sanitation; ensure equipment is de-energized and locked out before water/chemical application.

Compliance, Documentation & Audits

• Maintain complete, accurate, and legible sanitation records including Master Sanitation Schedule logs, pre-op inspection forms, titration logs, ATP results, environmental monitoring, and corrective action reports.
• Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, FSMA, cGMP, SQF, and HACCP requirements at all times.
• Support internal and external audits (USDA, SQF, customer, third-party) by providing documentation, walk-through participation, and follow-up on corrective actions.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for sanitation-related deviations, environmental positives, or audit findings; implement and verify corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Partner with the Pest Control vendor on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) findings; act on corrective items affecting structural sanitation.

Leadership & People Management

• Supervise, schedule, and develop the 2nd shift sanitation crew; assign tasks based on the nightly cleaning plan and adjust in real time based on production exit times.
• Train new and existing sanitation associates on SSOPs, chemical safety, GMPs, allergen control, LOTO, and confined space awareness; maintain training records.
• Conduct daily pre-shift huddles to communicate priorities, allergen changeovers, equipment issues, and safety reminders.
• Provide coaching, performance feedback, and progressive discipline in partnership with HR; recognize strong performance and address underperformance promptly.
• Foster a bilingual (English/Spanish), inclusive, and safety-first culture across the team.
• Track labor hours, attendance, and overtime; manage timekeeping approvals for direct reports.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Coordinate the nightly hand-off with the 1st shift QA/Production teams; communicate equipment concerns, sanitation findings, and any items requiring maintenance attention.
• Partner with Maintenance on equipment condition issues identified during sanitation (rust, harborage, worn gaskets, damaged conveyor belting, etc.).
• Escalate food safety risks immediately to the SQF Practitioner / QA Manager; has authority to hold equipment or production areas that do not meet sanitary release.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience in a food, beverage, or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 1–2 years of direct sanitation experience in a USDA- or FDA-regulated facility.
• Working knowledge of cGMPs, SSOPs, HACCP principles, and allergen control.
• Bilingual: fluent in English and Spanish (verbal and written).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and comfort with electronic record-keeping.
• Ability to read, interpret, and follow written sanitation procedures, chemical SDS, and equipment cleaning instructions.

Preferred

• HACCP certification.
• SQF or BRCGS training/certification.
• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification.
• Experience in a USDA-regulated meat, poultry, or further-processed food facility.
• Experience with environmental monitoring programs (Listeria, Salmonella) and ATP testing systems.
• Formal training in chemical handling, LOTO, and confined space.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to direct, motivate, and hold accountable an hourly workforce.
• Excellent attention to detail and follow-through; will not release equipment that is not truly clean.
• Sound judgment under time pressure; able to balance thorough sanitation with shift end targets.
• Clear verbal and written communication in both English and Spanish.
• Analytical and problem-solving mindset; comfortable leading root cause discussions.
• Computer literacy: Microsoft Office and HRIS/timekeeping platforms (Inova or similar).

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (8–10+ hours per shift).
• Ability to lift, push, and pull 25–50 lbs from floor to overhead; move heavy parts, trays, and equipment components.
• Ability to climb ladders and work at elevated heights for overhead cleaning.
• Comfortable working in wet, cold (refrigerated/freezer, down to 0°F), and warm (cook area) environments throughout the shift.
• Exposure to sanitation chemicals (caustics, acids, sanitizers, foaming agents) with appropriate PPE.
• Exposure to high noise levels, moving machinery, and slippery floor conditions; PPE required.
• Must be able to work the assigned 2nd shift schedule, including weekends and extended hours as production demands require.