SunOpta Overview:
SunOpta (Nasdaq: STKL) (TSX: SOY) is an innovative and sustainable manufacturer fueling the future of food. With roots tracing back over 50 years, SunOpta drives growth for today’s leading brands by serving as a trusted innovation partner and value-added manufacturer, crafting organic, plant-based beverages, fruit snacks, nutritional beverages, broths and tea products sold through retail, club, foodservice and e-commerce channels. Alongside the company’s commitment to top brands, retailers and coffee shops, SunOpta also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN®, Dream®, and West Life™. For more information, visit SunOpta and LinkedIn.
Job Summary
The Sanitation Manager will ensure the effectiveness of the cleaning and sanitation program to maintain an appropriate environment for the manufacture of safe products at our new Midlothian, Texas facility. This role will coordinate team activities and ensure teams have the tools, equipment and materials so that cleaning, sanitization, and pest control processes at the plant are done well the first time. The manager will also own sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOP’s) to ensure the safety and quality of our products while complying with and maintaining the safety, health and environmental requirements applicable to this position.
Essential Functions of the Job

• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the sanitation program.
• Ensure that all equipment and environmental surfaces are cleaned per SSOP, according to the cleaning record schedule, and using approved chemicals.
• Lead and train all levels of employees on pre-operational inspections of equipment
• Direct sanitation employee activities and establish priorities for cleaning in keeping with effective operation and cleaning schedule
• Ensure safe handling of chemicals and use of approved chemicals, including obtaining Safety Data Sheets.
• Own, review, and create action plans when nonconformances associated with cleaning activities occur.
• Identify challenges and concerns to communicate/ take corrective actions.
• Responsible for preparing and maintaining all requisite documentation for successful implementation of SQF as it pertains to sanitation and related activities. Including the documents related to: HACCP, SSOP’s, and GMP’s that touch the area of sanitation.
• Responsible for deploying all sanitation department assets in an efficient and safe manner to ensure best in class performance in all sanitation-related internal and external audits.
• Prepare, implement, and audit the Master sanitation schedule to effectively address all equipment and facility cleanliness and suitability to food preparation and manufacture activities.
• Responsible for the selection and usage of appropriate chemicals, dispensing devices and allied equipment, including managing cost benefits aspects.
• Works with third party service providers (such as chemical providers and sanitation consultants) to troubleshoot sanitation issues and drive cost savings.
• Calibrate and clean equipment to ensure results are correct.
• Lead facility CIP validations according to schedule.
• Assist with investigations, troubleshooting, and program review related to incident management.
• Ensure effective safety procedures, tools and record keeping are managed through site leadership.
• Adheres to company GMP’s (good manufacturing practices), safety procedures, and all other quality processes.
• Responsible for the Allergen and Non-Allergen Sanitation/Allergen Control Program.
• Wear and govern use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when required.
• All other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, management and evaluation of the sanitation team, if applicable.
• Provide employee coaching and development for team members, if applicable.

Minimum Qualifications

• ​​5 years of work experience in a Sanitation Leadership role, three years as a HACCP Certified Sanitation Manager for a food processing facility preferred.​
• QA related experience in a high-speed automated Consumer Goods manufacturing environment preferred (e.g. production of food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and/or household goods)
• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Food Science, Microbiology or related field or equivalent related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Certification
• SQF Certification
• Preventive Control Qualified Individual (PCQI) Certification
• Allergens Management

Knowledge and Skills

• Basic knowledge of expense management and control
• Understanding of Clean in Place systems
• Knowledge in Food Industry Quality Control Systems as well as FDA Criteria and Good Manufacturing Practices
• Knowledge in microbiology, microbial elimination systems and sanitization of food plants
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing practices is beneficial
• Great verbal, written, multi-tasking and presentation skills.
• Ability to create momentum and foster organizational change.
• Bilingual in Spanish is beneficial.
• Must have a working knowledge of MS Word and PowerPoint and be proficient with MS Excel software.

Additional Considerations

• This position is located in our new aseptic production facility in Midlothian, Texas.

Work Environment/Physical Demands
All work is completed in a manufacturing environment. Employee must be able to stand for long hours.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED