Smokehouse Sanitation Manager

Perdue Foods has a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins by creating products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe while changing the way animals are raised for food. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary  

Join our team as a Sanitation Manager and lead a critical function that protects food safety, quality, and operational excellence. In this role, you will drive the implementation of company sanitation standards while ensuring strong compliance with regulatory and GFSI requirements. You will partner closely with Operations, FSQA, Safety, Maintenance, Engineering, and corporate teams to identify and reduce food safety risks, lead continuous improvement efforts, and deliver effective sanitation performance. As a key site leader, you will guide and develop a team of hourly and salaried associates, collaborate with third party partners as needed, and serve as a trusted point of contact for internal, customer, and regulatory inspections, making a direct impact on safety, compliance, and plant performance. 

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities  

• Oversee and lead the implementation, management and compliance with Perdue Farms Sanitation Programs, Standards and Sanitation Key Performance Indicators, including but not limited to:

• Sanitation Safety - Creating a safe working environment for sanitation personnel 

• Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS)

• Periodic Cleaning for Infrastructure and Equipment (PIC & PEC) 

• Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) 

• Monitoring Verification and Validation of the Cleaning Process (ATP, Indicators, Pathogens, Allergens, Adjacent Line Cleaning and Drain Cleaning 

• Unplanned Water Events 

• Construction and Major Maintenance 

• Hygienic Design for Equipment and Infrastructure – Assessments 

• KPI timely reporting 

• Environmental Monitoring Program – associated with sanitation failures. 

• Reviewing the effectiveness of the Sanitation Program by completing gap analysis on an annual basis to provide continuous improvement for the sanitation program. 

• Development and Management of the Sanitation Manning (Supervisor, Leads, Sanitation Technicians) and department’s operating budget.

• Coordinate shift activities through planning and communication with site management, sanitation supervisors/leads, and sanitation technicians to ensure all sanitation objectives are accomplished in a timely, cost-effective, and safe manner. 

• Partner with supporting departments to deliver Environmental Hygiene by following and ensuring strict enforcement of Perdue Farms Standards, USDA, FSIS, FDA, GFSI, OSHA and customer requirements. 

• Lead or participate in the planning and implementation of process improvements, monitors improvement metrics and solves for reoccurring failures (USDA, FSQA, etc.) by applying Hygienic Desing Principles and Standards to develop CAPA’s to mitigate FS risks. 

• Provide Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly direction and goals setting for Sanitation Supervisors. Mentors, coaches and trains/cross-trains employees to encourage career development. Provides consistent feedback concerning strengths and areas in need of improvement, while demonstrating compliance with Perdue Farms Values and Leadership Behaviors.

• Manage and evaluate the Sanitation staff by conducting performance evaluations, and administration of performance improvement plans and disciplinary actions on a fair and consistent basis. 

Minimum Education and Experience  

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Microbiology, or related field. 

• 5 years of proven experience in managing Sanitation Programs in USDA / FDA / GFSI regulated facilities. 

• Will accept 10 years’ minimum experience in lieu of a degree. 

• Proficient in Windows based PC and Microsoft Office applications. 

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to relate well to a wide range of constituents and ability to function well as a member of a team. 

• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, Holidays and overtime as needed. 

• Experience utilizing, managing, and affecting a formal, documented Master Sanitation System/Program. 

• Fundamental sanitation requirements such as MSS, SSOP, MVV, GFSI (BRC, SQF), USDA, FDA, FSMA. 

• Hygienic Design Principles and Standards AMI, 3A, NSF, EHEDGE, ANSI, Etc. 

• Clean In Place / Assisted Cleaning Systems / Clean Out of Place Immersion Tanks, Equipment Relocation, Descaling, Cleaning and Passivating New and Repaired Equipment.

• Training development using MS office or other software such as Alchemy. 

• FS risks mitigation (pathogens, FM) via RCA, FMEA, to deliver sustainable CAPA. 

• Project review and commissioning OQ, PQ, DQ, IQ 

• Development of site-specific SLA with Cleaning Contractors, Chemical and IPM providers to maximize service. 

• Basic Statistical Analysis to review data and determine trends. 

• Basic knowledge of Management of Change (MOC) execution. 

• Capable of incorporating applicable USDA/FDA/FSMA requirements into plant procedures as appropriate (SSOP, NR Responses, Non-conformance Responses, Etc.) 

• Knowledge of GFSI (BRC, SQF, FSSC 2200) 

• Proficient in GMP’s as it pertains to Pre-Requisite Programs to maintain hygienic food manufacturing equipment and infrastructure to include facilities, production equipment, cleaning and sanitation, personal hygiene, receiving, storage and shipping, traceability and recall, pest control, and allergen controls.

Preferred Education and Experience  

• PCQI Experience. 

• 6 Sigma certification. 

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors  

• May need to move light equipment or supplies from one place to another. 

• May need to access files, supplies and equipment. 

When in a plant environment:

• Exposure primarily consists of wet and moist floors which include metal and plastic grating surfaces.

• May be exposed to temperatures of 28 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with both ambient and 100% humidity.

• May handle products from 25 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

• May be exposed to noise ranges of 50 db to 110 db.

• May be exposed to all chemicals used in poultry, food, and processing facility. 

• Must wear and use protective and safety equipment required for the job as directed by the Company. 

Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.