Sanitation Manager

Sanitation Manager

Southern California, CA | Exempt | $130,000+ Annually

Reports To

VP of Operations

Location

San Diego, CA

Compensation

$130,000+ | 10% Bonus Target

Role Summary

A growing food manufacturer is seeking a Quality Advisor to serve as an internal subject matter expert and trusted advisor on food safety and quality systems across its manufacturing operations. This role is designed for a senior practitioner who assesses current-state programs, identifies gaps, and provides expert guidance to operational and quality teams — without carrying direct management responsibility.

The right candidate brings deep technical knowledge, strong cross-functional influence skills, and the credibility to drive meaningful change through collaboration rather than authority. This is a strategic advisory role with real operational impact.

Core Responsibilities

Program Assessment & Advisory

• Evaluate current food safety and quality programs against SQF, FDA, and customer standards, identifying gaps and recommending prioritized improvements

• Advise on the structure and design of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Master Cleaning Schedules, and pre-operational inspection protocols

• Provide expert guidance on transitioning contracted hygiene and cleaning functions to in-house execution, including staffing model recommendations and implementation roadmaps

Food Safety & Compliance Consulting

• Serve as the facility's internal subject matter expert on food safety systems, hygienic design, environmental controls, and cleaning and disinfection chemistry

• Advise FSQA and Operations teams on maintaining continuous audit readiness for SQF, customer, and regulatory reviews

• Guide corrective action development and root cause analysis processes following food safety or quality events

Performance Metrics & Continuous Improvement

• Recommend KPI frameworks and measurement systems to assess program effectiveness, including:

Pre-operational inspection pass rates

ATP and microbiological environmental monitoring results

Re-work and re-cleaning rates

Labor efficiency

Production downtime attributable to food safety or hygiene events

Master Cleaning Schedule attainment

• Analyze data and inspection results to identify trends, validate effectiveness, and inform continuous improvement priorities

Operational Efficiency Guidance

• Advise on optimization opportunities across labor deployment, chemical usage, water consumption, and cleaning methodologies

• Identify and recommend process improvements that reduce production downtime related to food safety and hygiene operations

• Support wastewater reduction initiatives including management of high-BOD/TSS processes

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with FSQA, Maintenance, HR, and Operations teams to align on food safety priorities and implementation strategies

• Coordinate with chemical suppliers, equipment vendors, and external compliance partners to evaluate and recommend programs appropriate for the facility

• Advise on tools, equipment, and systems to standardize documentation, verification, and reporting across quality operations

Qualifications

• 8+ years of food safety and quality operations experience in food manufacturing, with bakery experience preferred

• Demonstrated expertise building, assessing, or significantly restructuring food safety programs in a manufacturing environment

• Strong working knowledge of SQF standards, HACCP principles, SSOP development and validation, and environmental monitoring programs

• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive change without direct management authority

• Experience advising on or managing hygiene and food safety programs across multiple shifts, including overnight operations

• Analytical mindset with the ability to assess program performance data and translate findings into actionable recommendations

• Experience managing or advising on budgets, labor models, and operational performance metrics

• Bachelor's degree preferred

• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Regular presence on the production floor in wet, cold, and variable temperature environments

• Exposure to industrial cleaning chemistry and food safety equipment

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs as needed

• Flexibility to work varied hours in alignment with operational schedules as needed

Benefits

The company offers a competitive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) with company match

• Paid time off and paid sick leave in accordance with California law

• Paid holidays and floating holidays

• Career growth and development opportunities