Sanitation Lead

About the role

The Sanitation Lead is responsible for overseeing and executing daily sanitation operations in the fish processing facility. This role ensures all equipment, tools, and areas of the plant are cleaned and sanitized according to company policies and regulatory standards (e.g., FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF). The Sanitation Lead will have strong leadership skills to supports the Sanitation Supervisor by directing the sanitation crew and monitoring tasks to maintain a safe and hygienic work environment.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and assist in the cleaning and sanitizing of production equipment, processing areas, and facility infrastructure.
• Assign tasks to sanitation crew and ensure timely and thorough completion of nightly sanitation duties.
• Monitor chemical concentrations, proper usage, and adherence to safety procedures during cleaning.
• Inspect equipment and areas after sanitation to verify cleanliness before production startup.
• Maintain sanitation logs, checklists, and documentation to ensure compliance with internal and external audits.
• Report mechanical issues or potential safety hazards to the Maintenance or Safety Department.
• Train new sanitation employees on cleaning procedures, chemical handling, and PPE usage.
• Ensure the team follows all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety, and worker safety standards.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; technical training or food safety certification is a plus.
• 2+ years of sanitation experience in a food processing environment, preferably seafood or protein industry.
• Prior leadership or lead experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and sanitation best practices.
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot cleaning equipment (pressure washers, foamers, CIP systems).
• Comfortable working in cold, wet, and fast-paced environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (bilingual in Spanish or other languages is a plus).
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs, stand for long periods, and work in physically demanding conditions.