Sanitation Manager

Who We Are

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.

We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to running our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT’S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!

What You Will Do

As the Sanitation Manager, you will develop and maintain a Master Sanitation strategy for the Freshpet site that will focus on and contribute in continuous improvement and new technology in cleaning methods to reduce microbiological risk and product contamination in an effective and efficient manner.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Maintain a safe work environment by properly administering the PEER (Positively Engage Employee Risk) program – Always raise safety awareness for chemical handling and equipment operation with Lock Out Tag Out training

• Manages annual sanitation plan, budget forecast and performance
• Integrates sanitation schedule and activities with overall Plant operations by partnering with cross-functional teams including Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality
• Works closely with Quality in solving critical and serious food safety issues
• Partners and manages supplier relationships with outside service providers
• Manages the plant sanitation function including internal labor, contracted service providers, and direct reports
• Directs cleaning of equipment and work areas
• Manage sanitation Chemical supply and inventory
• Continuously review and update cleaning methods, executing best practices
• Confers with management and production personnel on sanitation opportunities and collaborates as needed to resolve those issues
• Ensures that all sanitation standard work is properly documented and implemented
• Trains all new sanitation personnel and associates in proper chemical usage and handling
• Establishes and maintains a Master Sanitation Schedule for the entire facility and grounds
• Manages the Integrated Pest Management program and service providers
• Performs cleanliness inspections of the plant, stored equipment, and overall environment
• Promotes sanitation philosophies and ensures appropriate participation at all levels
• Demonstrates leadership in Operational Excellence / Continuous Improvement as it relates to sanitation programs and works collaboratively with other departments to improve Safety, Quality and Reliability
• Responsible for safety engagement activities, and performance of associates as it relates to food safety, sanitation, and pest control activities
• Manages direct reports and is responsible for indirect management of cross functional teams
• Sanitation responsibilities encompass both Kitchens on the Bethlehem Campus. As we grow and scale operations, some travel / support will be required for new facilities / production lines
• Maintain effective communication with subordinates, peers, and other members of management
• Participate in audits, facility inspections and coordinates pre-operational inspections with QA Management
• Perform other duties as assigned

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor's Degree is required (Engineering, Applied Sciences, Food Science, or relevant technical degree)
• Required - Minimum of 5-8 years of proven experience in driving a robust and sustainable sanitation program in CPG Manufacturing
• Preferred - 10 plus years of proven experience in driving a robust and sustainable sanitation program in CPG manufacturing
• Must have a working knowledge of Food and Drug Laws, OSHA requirements, etc.
• Should have a broad understanding of major functions within the plant and the ability to collaborate directly with individuals at all levels and functions
• Must be willing to complete specific college courses, integrated pest management courses and microbiological courses as required to conduct the functions of the role
• GFSI audit scheme experience
• SQF Level III experience
• Meat/poultry experience
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and motivate others, especially Influencing without authority. Experience building Effective Teams
• Functional/Technical expertise in Food Manufacturing, Quality, Food Safety, and Sanitation Practices
• Driving for results through managing and measuring work activities
• Knowledge of manufacturing procedures to include but not limited to receiving commodities, all aspects of processing, packaging, and distribution operations
• Excellent working knowledge of all production equipment, site layout, sanitation, pest control, quality systems and preventive maintenance and their application within food production facilities
• Knowledge and general acumen of applicable allergen, chemical cleaning, cleaning validation, verification, and sanitary design
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with SDS, PPE, Chemical and Safety programs, and requirements
• Understanding of and ability to work within Continuous Improvement / Operational Excellence methodologies to drive sustainable improvement in Safety, Quality and Reliability

What We Offer

At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:

At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate and preserve a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company’s achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimers

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States, we may consider visa sponsorship.

Freshpet is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.