Regional Sanitation Manager

Job Description:

Job Purpose/Overview

The Regional Sanitation Manager is responsible for supporting, mentoring, and developing Sanitation Managers within the Royal Canin Manufacturing Organization, as well as overseeing Sanitation Programs at NA sites. This role plays a key part in ensuring that sanitation, quality, and food safety standards are met by driving best practices, compliance, and continuous improvement across all assigned sites.

Key Responsibilities

Key Accountabilities for Regional Sanitation Manager

Leadership & Development

• Mentor and support Site Sanitation Managers in best practices, compliance, and operational improvements.
• Identify development opportunities and recommend training initiatives to enhance sanitation expertise at each site.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement in sanitation processes.
  
  

Program Oversight & Execution

• Collaborate with Sanitation NOM, Site Sanitation teams, Engineering, and Reliability to implement sanitation programs effectively.
• Ensure sanitation, quality, and food safety initiatives are executed on schedule.
• Maintain alignment of sanitation practices with corporate policies and industry regulations.
  
  

Audits & Vendor Management

• Conduct vendor assessments for Pest Control and Chemical vendors across regional sites.
• Perform Annual Sanitation, IPM, and GMP Audits, providing feedback on performance, ratings, and necessary corrective actions.
• Oversee vendor performance to ensure compliance with sanitation and food safety requirements.
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in NA and Global Sanitation/Micro Mitigation Work Streams, contributing to strategic sanitation advancements.
• Work across functions to enhance sanitation effectiveness and drive standardization at multiple locations.
• Identify and share best practices to improve sanitation operations across all sites.
  
  

Site Capability Development

• Assess and enhance sanitation capabilities at production sites.
• Audit site hygiene programs and provide coaching for continuous improvement.
• Lead food safety and sanitation initiatives based on corporate mandates and protocols.
  
  

Sanitary Design & Compliance

• Provide expertise in sanitary design to ensure effective sanitation infrastructure.
• Escalate plant hygiene issues to secure necessary resources and facilitate knowledge sharing among sites.
• Support the planning, design, and prioritization of sanitation and food safety projects.
  
  

Strategic Project & Initiative Support

• Oversee key supply initiatives by working with Site Sanitation Managers to drive sanitation and food safety projects.
• Audit and track sanitation and IPM metrics to ensure compliance and drive best practices.
• Ensure continuous development of site leadership in microbial mitigation and pest elimination.
  
  

Communication & Change Management

• Coordinate with Site Managers to remove obstacles affecting sanitation and food safety operations.
• Act as a liaison between sites, quality teams, and central functions to align sanitation and food safety plans.
• Ensure smooth implementation of sanitation-related changes with minimal business disruption.
  
  

Performance Monitoring & Business Impact

• Identify and deliver key business benefits related to sanitation, quality, and food safety.
• Develop and monitor KPIs for sanitation and food safety processes.
• Establish and manage tracking mechanisms to measure KPI performance and business outcomes.
  
  

Quality Culture & Compliance

• Demonstrate and promote a culture of quality in sanitation operations.
• Ensure all sanitation adjustments and changes align with business and compliance needs.
• Champion food safety and hygiene best practices across all sites.
  
  

Context and Scope

This position reports to the Manufacturing Director. The position maintains close relations with the following:

• Regional Q&FS Team
• Regional HSE Team
• Site directors
• Site sanitation manager
• Site leadership teams
• Reginal site sanitation managers of other divisions in NA
  
  

Relevant Quantitative and Budget Information

Financial

Total annual operating budget responsibility – USD $ 15 M

(Cleaning & Sanitation Pest Control Micro Testing)

Job Specifications/Qualifications

• Education & Professional Qualification
• Bachelor’s in Food Safety, Science, or Engineering, or related field, and Post-secondary training in Food Science and Microbiology or equivalent experience.
• 5 years of experience in Plant Quality/Sanitation Systems required.
• 3 years of managerial experience with a demonstrated ability and desire to work with people, both individually as well as in teams.
• Broad understanding of major functions within a manufacturing plant and the ability to work directly with individuals at all levels and functions.
• Willing to work weekends, and holidays during an emergency need
• Ability to travel up to 50%
• Good analytical skills and trouble-shooting ability.
• Lean management system and selected Lean tool application.
• Understanding of microbiological organisms and their impact on process design, sanitary design and sanitation.
• Experience in food and/or pharmaceutical manufacturing industry preferred
• Knowledge/Experience
• Minimum 7 years working experience in equivalent hygiene and sanitation position within food and beverage manufacturing, preferably within multinational manufacturing / FMCG environment
• Solid understanding of HACCP, Food Safety, Microbiology, Sanitation, Chemical Safety and Pest Control
• Solid understanding of sanitation practices in a manufacturing environment and knowledge of current and developing sanitation techniques
• Solid understanding of quality management system requirements and processes, within food or pharmaceutical manufacturing operations is required.
• Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs and ability to lead others through change
• Strong team player and leader with ability to work across multiple functions and disciplines
• Strict attention to detail mindset
• An energized, optimistic ‘can do’ attitude
• Demonstrate Mars Five Principles
• Knowledge of manufacturing procedures includes all aspects of processing, packaging, and warehouse activities.
• Ability to maintain alignment across all functions
• Strong ability to solve business problems in creative ways
• In-depth Experience and knowledge of sanitation, food safety and quality processes
• Ability to build relationships with stakeholders
• Business process orientation
• Experience defining a compelling vision for a large project team.
• Ability to identify and develop key personnel to strengthen sanitation programs across the business.
  
  

Mars Inc. doesn't sponsor Visas for this role.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
  
  

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.