Sanitation Manager

About the role

At Link Snacks, we show up hungry, roll up our sleeves, plaid or otherwise, and dive straight into the hard work. We don’t hide from challenges; we hunt them down. We push harder, move faster, and take the kinds of big swings that built this business in the North Woods of Wisconsin four decades ago. We’re everyday people who deliver extraordinary results. Innovation, creativity, and urgency aren’t buzzwords, they’re expectations. And just like the real protein snacks we make across our global house of brands—Jack Link’s®, Lorissa’s Kitchen®, Golden Island®, BiFi®, Peperami®, and KOOEE!®—there’s nothing artificial about us.

The Sanitation Manager is responsible for developing, managing, and continuously improving a comprehensive sanitation program that encompasses team member safety, equipment, infrastructure, and people development to ensure safe food for our customers. This role ensures the plant complies with all company, state, federal, and local laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards relating to sanitation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the proper and timely cleaning and sanitation of all processing areas within acceptable levels consistent with company and USDA guidelines.
• Conduct preoperational inspections on a daily basis with FSQ.
• Conduct and assist with swab testing of all product and non-product surfaces to control bacteria growth.
• Complete all necessary paperwork relating to sanitation, including nightly sanitation checklists, rodent and pest control programs, maintenance issues, and documentation required by the company’s HACCP plan or USDA.
• Create, document, and conduct proper sanitation procedures for sanitation associates.
• Follow Lean Manufacturing Processes, including team building, consistency in high quality, preventative maintenance, and productive work environments.
• Maintain usage, inventory, and communication of proper chemicals necessary for equipment and facility sanitation.
• Develop and update Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures and equipment cleaning procedures.
• Assist with plant audits and work closely with chemical and safety equipment vendors.
• Route reports and records to designated plant personnel and submit training and audit information to the FSQ Manager.
• Identify and clean all equipment on the plant floor, including overheads, units, pipes, lights, smokehouses, floors, drains, warehouses, and sanitize rooms and equipment.
• Organize and prioritize tasks in a multi-tasking environment, including supervising, directing, and instructing team members.
• Monitor unsafe behavior and follow all OSHA guidelines, including wearing required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Build and support a culture valuing personnel safety and food safety, demonstrating Link Snacks values: Be Real, Relationship Driven, Stewardship, Speed Matters, Self-Discipline, and Show Awesome Character.
• Foster openness, accountability, professionalism, and positive attitudes within the department.
• Communicate effectively with peers, subordinates, and leaders, and collaborate with remote team members.
• Ensure all team members are trained in safety, sanitation procedures, chemical handling, and GMPs.
• Maintain proper staffing, including interviewing, hiring, and training new team members.
• Monitor attendance, conduct performance reviews, and provide coaching or discipline as needed.
• Review and approve timekeeping records to ensure accurate pay for team members.

Requirements

• High School Diploma (or equivalent).
• 3-5 years of related experience/training.
• Prior knowledge of food processing and sanitation is helpful.
• Ability to supervise, direct, and instruct team members.
• Ability to read, write, and operate a computer.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs and stand/walk constantly in a production environment with moderate cold (35-55 degrees) and loud noise levels.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Plant/office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels.
• Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet/slippery floors.
• Travel may be required.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $65,000 - $85,000. Actual salaries will vary based on factors including external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience.

Schedule

This position works night shifts.

Benefits

Link Snacks provides a variety of benefits to eligible team members, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Life and disability insurance.
• 401k participation.
• Paid holidays and paid time off.
• Annual incentive and program-specific awards.