Associate Manager, Sanitation

Responsibilities The Associate Sanitation Manager leads and oversees site‑wide sanitation, pest control, and waste management programs to ensure food safety, regulatory compliance, and operational readiness. This role provides strategic direction and hands‑on leadership for the Plant Services function, focusing on continuous improvement, people development and cost control. Sanitation, Food Safety & Pest Control Programs Develop, implement, and continuously improve comprehensive, documented, and standardized sanitation and pest control programs. Design, implement, and maintain an integrated Pest Control Program in alignment with company standards and regulatory requirements. Ensure compliance with SSOPs, Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS), allergen cleaning standards, and environmental controls. People Leadership & Workforce Management Select, train, develop, and supervise approximately 60 skilled hourly sanitation associates across a 24/7 operation. Provide leadership, accountability, coaching, and performance management for Sanitation Supervisors, Leaders, and hourly teams. Ensure adequate staffing, coverage, and supervision across all shifts, with emphasis on PM and overnight sanitation operations. Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Metrics Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Production, Supply Chain, Engineering, Maintenance, and other stakeholders to define sanitation objectives, metrics, and improvement plans. Support plant performance metrics related to sanitation effectiveness, food safety, and operational readiness. Policy Communication & Compliance Partner with cross‑functional teams to communicate sanitation policies, expectations, and requirements. Ensure consistent compliance with sanitation standards and regulatory requirements across the facility. Budget, Cost & Resource Management Develop, prepare, and manage the annual sanitation budget, including direct and indirect labor. Approve orders for chemicals, supplies, and equipment using the SAP platform, with a strong focus on cost control and efficient usage. Audits, Inspections & Regulatory Compliance Lead and support plant inspections, internal audits, and external audits. Ensure compliance with Pepperidge Farm standards, FDA regulations, and Safe Quality Foods Institute (SQF) requirements. Additional Technical Leadership Provide technical leadership in Sanitation, SSOPs, Sanitary Design, Pest Control, CIP/COP systems, chemical usage, waste management, recycling, confined space, allergen cleaning and testing, FSMA regulations, preventive controls, and risk assessment. Enforce sanitation, food safety, quality, safety, and environmental standards for all Plant Services employees. Ensure all Plant Services employees follow safety requirements and use appropriate PPE to meet departmental safety objectives. Develop, implement, and continuously improve SSOPs while staying current on emerging sanitation technologies, methods, chemicals, and regulatory requirements. Provide coaching, training, troubleshooting, and performance feedback to Plant Services personnel. Develop, implement, and maintain the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) aligned with production demands; monitor task completion, effectiveness, and continuous improvement opportunities. Oversee scheduling and daily execution of sanitation activities across a 24‑hour operation, ensuring all shifts are properly staffed, supported, and guided. Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Production, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to meet functional sanitation needs and operational priorities. Attend weekly Operations Management meetings and provide regular reporting on MSS performance, audit readiness, sanitation metrics, and project status. Maintain strong organizational, documentation, communication, and time‑management skills. Qualifications (Must Haves) High School Diploma or GED required. Minimum of 3+ years of sanitation experience within a manufacturing environment. Nice to Haves Associate's or Bachelor's Degree preferred. 4+ years of sanitation experience within food manufacturing. Wet sanitation experience. CIP experience. Experience working in an EMP managed facility. Demonstrated leadership experience in a multi‑shift, food manufacturing environment. Compensation & Benefits The target base salary range for this full‑time, salaried position is $80,900 – $116,300, depending on location and experience. Total pay may include additional forms of compensation. Medical, dental, short‑term and long‑term disability, AD&D, and life insurance. Matching 401(k) plan with immediate vesting. Unlimited sick time along with paid time off and holiday pay. Access to fitness center and on‑site day care. Company store privileges. Volunteer matching program up to $1,500 annually. EEO Statement The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity for employees and qualified applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship, including consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other classification protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr