Sanitation Supervisor

Role Objective: Quality is an intricate part of Straus Family Creamery's mission and values. As part of the Sanitation and Quality teams, the Sanitation Supervisor oversees the day-to-day sanitation operations our production facility, ensuring cleanliness and hygiene are consistently maintained. This role is also responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining master sanitation programs to ensure compliance with all food safety standards and is crucial for maintaining high standards of cleanliness and food safety.

Essential Job Functions:

• Directly supervise sanitation team direct reports and all sanitation processes.
• Perform daily inspections of the facility to ensure all areas meet sanitation standards.
• Ensure that all cleaning schedules are adhered to and adjust them as necessary based on the needs of the facility.
• Facilitate and supervise all post-op inspections to ensure lines and equipment are ready for production, tested by required procedures and inspected by the Food Safety/ Quality Assurance (FSQA) team.
• Check inventory levels of cleaning supplies and order more as needed to ensure there are no shortages.
• Respond to any sanitation-related issues or complaints promptly and effectively.
• Keep detailed records of cleaning activities, inspections, and any incidents that occur. Review quality Records for sanitation and testing ensuring compliance with internal standards.
• Verify that all sanitation practices comply with internal, local, state, and federal regulations. Monitor quality team activities for sanitation inspection, providing feedback where needed.
• Work with other departments to ensure that sanitation standards are maintained throughout the facility and timely responses are provided if/when failure to meet expectations/standards are observed.
• Prepare and submit reports on sanitation activities, issues, and improvements to upper management.
• Perform during and after sanitation inspections and approval to ensure equipment and environment conform to site quality standards. This includes visual inspections for cleanliness, ATP swabbing, Microbial swabs, and Allergen swabs.

Training & Development

• Oversees training and development of sanitation team members, temp or direct hires, on sanitation protocols, safety procedures, and the proper use of cleaning equipment, and guiding them with a positive disposition and personal high-quality work ethic.
• Responsible for direct performance management and for biannual employee performance evaluation process for all members of production team.
• Works with management and P & C team to help identify staffing and training needs.

Safety & Compliance

• Adhere to all quality management system regulations and guidelines, all food and dairy industry, regulatory, and any/all other applicable standards including: HAACP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points), FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act), Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), and US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and ensure the enforcement of these as they pertain to sanitation team.
• Comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and any/all established processes related to food safety and quality, whether established by their manager, by the company or by law, as well as assist with the communication, training, and enforcement of these with sanitation team.
• Consistently work in a safe manner and comply with all health, occupational safety, food safety and quality, and security requirements that are communicated to you, whether established by the company, Safety Manager, Quality leadership or by law.
• Comply with all Company policies communicated through your Employee Manual, training, noticeboards or other postings, or by a member of management.
• Immediately communicate any food safety or occupational safety hazards concerns, and workplace accidents or near misses to Safety Manager or other member of leadership.

General Functions

• Maintain high quality work ethic and excellent attendance.
• Participate in weekly team meetings, huddles, safety meetings and other meetings as requested.
• Assist with the communication of companywide sustainability goals to Quality team and manage resources to ensure that sustainability goals are met or exceeded.
• Ensure areas of responsibility are kept neat and clean, communicating any safety hazards or non-compliance issues immediately to a member of management.
• Must comply with other duties, as requested.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• 3-5 years of previous lead or supervisory experience and managing sanitation programs and/or processes in food production or processing facility, required.
• Basic level food safety technical knowledge, including demonstrated knowledge of documentation, allergens, HACCP, FSMA, SQF, and other food regulations, required.
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills, required to communicate appropriately and effectively cross-functionally, with internal and external customers.
• Bilingual - English and Spanish, required.
• Intermediate competency in Microsoft Suite (including Teams), smart technology (iOS), and using OEE or Quality Systems (such as RedZone), are highly desirable.
• Management of concurrent projects and initiatives and meeting defined deliverables, goals, and timelines, required
• Passion for organics industry, sustainability, and responsible business, preferred.
• Milk Pasteurizer license is required for this position; must be attained within 90 days from start date.
• This is a key leadership position. Flexibility to work different shifts and/or to work weekends and holidays, required.

COMPETENCIES

• Dedicated. Performs with high level of professionalism, integrity, and positive disposition.
• Demonstrate determination and persistence while treating others with respect.
• Consistently exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Possesses strong listening skills and exceptionally strong attention to detail.
• Resourceful and creative problem solver that is able to work with limited or ambiguous direction.
• Proactive. Overcomes obstacles and demonstrates a sense of urgency in achieving objectives.
• Communicates clearly/promptly with diverse workforce, maintaining a respectful/positive work environment.
• Ability to gain trust and buy-in through positive and influential style.
• Efficient management of multiple tasks and maintaining records.
• Demonstrate adaptability by reacting appropriately to unexpected changes and pressure.
• Consistently look for ways to improve oneself through growth and development opportunities.
• Ability and willingness to promote appropriate change and continuous improvement.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Full organoleptic (sight, smell, taste) as well as audio and vocal senses are necessary to evaluate and make sound decisions on product quality and production processes
• Must be manually dexterous
• Ability to work in a manufacturing/warehouse environment and withstand noise produced by manufacturing machinery up to 90 decibels
• Extended periods of standing, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, an, turning the head and torso, reaching, grasping, bending and flexing the arms, legs, wrists, hands, and fingers. – Repetitive at times
• Ability to sit for frequent periods, working on a computer, looking at the computer screen and/or tablet screen
• Ability to climb and balance is essential
• Ability to work in confined spaces
• Ability to work at high elevations (i.e., rooftops, tops of tanks)
• Ability to work in high allergen environments for prolonged periods
• Ability to work in cold, wet, humid environments for prolonged periods
• Ability to work in temperatures ranging from -20° to 110° degrees Fahrenheit
• Ability to lift, hold and/or carry 55 pounds of product unassisted
• Scheduling flexibility required – ability to work different shifts, after-hours, weekends to support operation of a 24/7 facility and to monitor and test sanitation or quality parameters when non-compliance occurs

Above description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and not construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

Straus is an equal opportunity employer. We strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic. 

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Straus Family Creamery, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

Founded in 1994, Straus Family Creamery is a mission-driven, family-owned-and-operated business dedicated to making premium organic dairy products, with minimal processing. The Straus Dairy Farm and Creamery, located in the small town of Marshall on the Northern California Coast, was the first certified organic dairy farm west of the Mississippi River and the first 100% certified organic creamery in the United States.
In addition to the Straus Dairy Farm, Straus Family Creamery buys certified organic, Non-GMO Project Verified milk from 11 other organic family farms in Northern California’s Marin and Sonoma Counties. The combination of rich soil, one of the nation’s most diverse grassland systems, and a mild coastal climate create the ideal setting for organic dairy farming. Land stewardship and sustainable farming are deeply rooted principles in certified organic farming practices.

Pay: $32 - $37 / hour

Pay:

• Bonus pay

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Disability insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Life insurance
• Other

Job Type: fulltime

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Weekend availability
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime
• Holidays
• Other

Education: No education required

Work location: On-site