Sanitation Lead

We're Tovala, a food-tech company reinventing home cooking to save consumers time. Through an innovative combination of hardware, software, and fresh food delivery, we make it incredibly simple for anyone to prepare and enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals without sacrificing time to do whatever matters to them. Through our superior technology, product experience and food quality, we have separated Tovala from the busy pack of other meal delivery businesses. In the process, we've amassed a loyal, rapidly growing following and our retention, product engagement and customer NPS are all best-in-class. We've raised over $100mm from great investors like Left Lane Capital, Origin Ventures, Y Combinator and Comcast Ventures and have invested strongly in building a unique culture that fosters growth, personal development and camaraderie.


Position Summary:
The Sanitation Lead will assist in performing sanitation tasks across the facility and lead junior team members in their sanitation duties. As Sanitation Lead, you will lead a team of 5-6 Sanitation Specialists, drive pre-operational inspections, manage chemical titration and concentration verification, and serve as a subject matter expert for sanitation best practices across our commercial kitchen and food production floor. While this position will work a consistent schedule, the schedule may include working on weekends and some holidays. The shift is generally 6:00 am - 3:00 pm with regular overtime.

NOTE: Candidates with experience exclusively in hotel housekeeping, residential cleaning, janitorial services, or general facilities maintenance should not apply. This role requires specialized knowledge of food-grade sanitation chemistry, SSOP execution, and regulatory compliance.

Essential Functions

• Execute and lead Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) activities across production equipment, processing lines, floors, drains, walls, and overhead structures using wet wash-down, foam, and CIP/COP methods.
• Prepare, dilute, and verify chemical concentrations using titration kits and test strips; document results per SSOP requirements. Chemicals include chlorinated alkaline cleaners, acid rinses, quaternary ammonium, and peracetic acid sanitizers.
• Monitor and log chemical usage, ensure proper storage segregation, and maintain SDS compliance in accordance with OSHA Hazard Communication standards.
• Operate high-pressure washdown equipment, foam cannons, and COP tanks safely and effectively.
• Lead and participate in pre-operational (pre-op) inspections of equipment surfaces post-cleaning; document findings using ATP bioluminescence testing, visual inspection checklists, and environmental monitoring protocols.
• Ensure all sanitation activities comply with FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Controls, HACCP principles, and site-specific SQF/GFSI food safety programs.
• Maintain accurate, legible sanitation records (SSOPs, cleaning logs, chemical logs, pre-op inspection records) audit-ready at all times.
• Respond to food safety deviations, allergen changeovers, and environmental monitoring positive findings with corrective action procedures.
• Support internal audits, regulatory inspections (FDA, USDA, SQF), and third-party food safety audits; represent the sanitation function with confidence.
• Train team members on SSOP procedures, chemical safety, PPE requirements, and GMP compliance; maintain training documentation.
• Partner with the FSQA Manager to develop and continuously improve sanitation procedures and the Master Sanitation Schedule.
• Model GMP standards and enforce compliance among all team members on the production floor.
• Oversee sanitation of all production areas: commercial kitchen, food processing lines, receiving, cold storage (cooler ~38°F, freezer ~0°F), packaging, break rooms, restrooms, and offices.
• Coordinate equipment disassembly and reassembly for deep-clean sanitation (e.g., slicers, mixers, conveyors, cooking ovens, portioners).
• Monitor floor drain maintenance, grease trap upkeep, and pest exclusion support as part of an integrated pest management program.
• Keep sanitation supplies, chemical inventory, and equipment in organized, properly labeled, and audit-ready condition.

• Perform other functions and tasks assigned by supervision.

Competencies

• Must be Bi-lingual (English/Spanish)
• High attention to detail and commitment to food safety above all else.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills: must be able to document sanitation records accurately and communicate deviations clearly.
• Leadership presence: ability to hold team members accountable to standards while fostering a positive, safety-first culture.
• Problem-solving mindset: proactively identifies sanitation deficiencies and implements corrective actions.
• Organizational skills to manage a Master Sanitation Schedule across multiple facility zones simultaneously.

Education, Experience, Licenses, and/or Certifications Required

• 2+ years of experience in sanitation
• 1+ year of leadership experience
• Basic computer skills
• Basic skills with cleaning solutions, including preparation and dilution of chemicals, measuring concentration strength.
• Possess or willing to obtain a Food Handlers Permit

Physical Demands

• Comfortable working in hot and cold temperature environments
• Sitting
• Standing and/or walking
• Working with sanitation equipment such as washdown hoses or foamers
• Occasionally lifting up to 50lbs
• Vision for machine or computer operations
• Must be able and willing to work in refrigerated coolers (~38°F) and Freezers (~0F)

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Leads 5-6 Sanitation Specialists in partnership with the FSQA Manager
• Plans, assigns, and approves work.

$23.50 - $25 an hour

Based on skills and years of experience

Compensation & Benefits:

Tovala uses market data, geography, and placement of internal employees to determine salary. Additionally, we offer all employees real ownership in the company in the form of a competitive equity package.

- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) & Sick Pay benefits

- Comprehensive healthcare coverage we really invest in

- 401k with match

- Free Tovala Smart Oven and discounted Tovala meals


- Paid holidays and our winter facility shutdown where the facility closes for a week around Christmas and New Years

- Various other perks - recognition programs, continued learning stipend, casual dress code, Tovala swag, etc.
Our Values

> Put the Team First: We put what is best for the broader team ahead of what is best for ourselves or our immediate department.

> Get S#!t Done (Well): We celebrate people at all levels for delivering high impact work that expands the bounds of what we're able to do.

> Connect the Dots: We engage with curiosity to learn how our work impacts others so that we can problem-solve holistically and work collaboratively.

> Be Direct: We share our perspective openly and directly, even when it feels difficult to do so.

> Embrace the Obstacles: We rise to meet challenges with a sense of urgency, resolve, and optimism.

> Champion the Customer: We consider and prioritize our customer in all of our decisions


At Tovala we're committed to building a workplace that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Everyone is welcome here!

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.