JOB TITLE: Sanitation Team Lead
DEPARTMENT: Quality Assurance
REPORTS TO:Quality Manager
FLSA STATUS:Non-Exempt
SUPERVISORY ROLE (Y/N):Yes
TRAVEL REQUIREMENT:0%
Job Summary:
The Sanitation Team Leader is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and sanitary environment throughout the facility, with a primary focus on secondary food production zones (non-routine), playing a critical role in preventing contamination and ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards. In addition to performing all Sanitarian duties, this role provides leadership, direction, and coordination to a team of Sanitarians, ensuring sanitation activities are effectively planned and executed in alignment with production schedules, while working independently and fostering collaboration across departments to consistently meet sanitation standards.
Essential Job Duties/Key Accountabilities
- Routine and deep cleaning of Secondary (non-food contact) production areas, including equipment, utensils, and surrounding infrastructure
- Assisting with sanitation activities for Primary (food contact) zones during mechanical pit stops, changeovers, or sanitation events
- Executing sanitation procedures in accordance with SSOPs and validated cleaning methods
- Ensuring proper cleaning, rinsing, and sanitizing food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and allergen risks
- Safely disassembling and reassembling equipment for effective cleaning
- Operating sanitation equipment such as pressure hoses, foaming units, vacuums, and floor scrubbers
- Following all GMPs, HACCP principles, SQF requirements, and company sanitation standards
- Verifying cleanliness and supporting pre-operational inspection readiness as assigned
- Identifying, reporting, and escalating food safety, quality, or sanitation concerns
- Maintaining accurate sanitation records and documentation
- Organize and prioritize sanitation activities based on production schedules, downtime windows, and food safety risk
- Coordinate with production, maintenance, and quality teams to ensure sanitation is completed effectively without disrupting operations
- Provide clear directions, instruction, and coaching to team members on sanitation procedures, safety practices, and performance expectations
- Participate in internal inspections and audits
- Ensure proper staffing, task delegation, and time management to meet sanitation deadlines
- Support training and onboarding of new Sanitarians, reinforcing SSOPs, GMPs, and sanitation best practices
- Lead by example in demonstrating strong work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to food safety
- Other duties as assigned by the Quality Assurance Manager
Education & Experience
- High school diploma or GED preferred
- Prior leadership or team lead experience preferred
- Previous experience in food manufacturing sanitation or production environments preferred
- Familiarity with GMPs, HACCP, or SQF systems is a plus
- Language Skills
- Ability to read, understand, and follow written instructions, SSOPs, and safety procedures in English
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with team members, supervisors, and cross-functional partners
- Reasoning Ability
- Ability to apply sound judgment and follow detailed sanitation procedures
- Ability to identify risks, prioritize work, and take appropriate corrective action
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with team members.
- Results-oriented, with a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency.
- Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be near loud moving mechanical equipment and will be regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee will frequently access high, precarious places and may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and extreme heat. All required PPE will be provided by the employer.
Food and Workplace Safety Requirements
- All employees are responsible for upholding the principles of SQF Food Safety Code.
- All employees are responsible for immediately reporting any food safety, food quality, safety issues, or plant security issues to management for appropriate action.
DISCLAIMER: Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.
At BAF, we are an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity and strive to create a supportive and inclusive community of individuals committed to helping each other and our company thrive. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.