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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Sanitation Coordinator

💰 $45,000 - $65,000

OperationsFood SafetyQuality AssuranceManufacturing

🎯 Role Definition

The Sanitation Coordinator is a critical hands-on leadership role responsible for overseeing and executing the sanitation program within a manufacturing or production facility. This position acts as the primary guardian of plant hygiene, ensuring that all cleaning processes, from daily tasks to periodic deep cleans, are performed effectively, safely, and in compliance with all internal standards and external regulations (e.g., FDA, USDA, SQF). The coordinator is a lynchpin, bridging the gap between the sanitation crew, production schedules, and quality assurance objectives. They are not just managing tasks but are actively involved in training, problem-solving, and driving continuous improvement to uphold the integrity of the product and the safety of the workplace.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Sanitation Technician / Sanitor
  • Quality Control Technician
  • Lead Production Operator

Advancement To:

  • Sanitation Supervisor / Manager
  • Quality Assurance Supervisor
  • Food Safety Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Production Supervisor
  • Safety Coordinator
  • Quality Assurance Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, implement, and rigorously maintain detailed Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) for all production equipment and facility areas, ensuring they are effective and compliant with regulatory standards.
  • Conduct comprehensive hands-on and classroom training for all sanitation team members on proper cleaning techniques, chemical safety, equipment operation, and personal protective equipment (PPE) usage.
  • Oversee the creation, execution, and continuous updating of the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) to ensure all cleaning tasks are scheduled, assigned, and completed in a timely and efficient manner.
  • Act as a key stakeholder in ensuring facility-wide adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP principles, SQF codes, and other relevant food safety and quality management systems.
  • Manage the complete lifecycle of sanitation chemicals and supplies, including procurement, inventory control, proper storage, and handling in accordance with Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to ensure availability and safety.
  • Perform regular pre-operational inspections and internal audits of equipment and facility infrastructure to verify sanitation effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
  • Provide daily leadership, direction, and motivation to the sanitation team, managing work assignments, monitoring performance, and fostering a culture of safety and accountability.
  • Lead investigations into sanitation-related issues, such as microbial deviations or audit non-conformances, utilizing root cause analysis to implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
  • Meticulously maintain all sanitation-related documentation, including cleaning logs, MSS completion records, training files, and chemical usage reports, ensuring they are accurate and readily available for audits.
  • Foster strong collaborative relationships with Production, Quality Assurance, and Maintenance departments to coordinate sanitation activities with production schedules and equipment availability.
  • Participate in the validation and verification of cleaning procedures through methods like ATP swabbing, allergen testing, and microbiological sampling to scientifically prove sanitation effectiveness.
  • Oversee the integrated pest management program, coordinating with third-party service providers and ensuring all preventative measures and documentation are maintained.
  • Assist in the development and management of the sanitation department budget, tracking spending on labor, chemicals, and supplies to operate within financial targets.
  • Champion a safety-first culture within the sanitation department, ensuring all activities comply with OSHA standards and company safety policies, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and chemical handling procedures.
  • Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing sanitation efficiency, reducing chemical and water usage, and improving overall cleaning performance.
  • Serve as a primary point of contact and subject matter expert for the sanitation program during third-party and regulatory audits (e.g., FDA, USDA, SQF, BRC).
  • Work closely with the maintenance team to troubleshoot sanitation-related equipment issues and provide input on the sanitary design of new or modified equipment.
  • Manage employee scheduling, timekeeping, and payroll approvals for the sanitation team to ensure appropriate staffing levels for all shifts and cleaning requirements.
  • Administer the facility's Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) by collecting swabs, interpreting results, and implementing corrective actions in response to findings.
  • Perform and document regular titrations and concentration checks of sanitation chemicals to ensure they are being used at the correct, effective levels as specified by the manufacturer.
  • Coordinate the proper disposal and management of waste generated from cleaning processes, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

Secondary Functions

  • Participate in plant-wide safety committee meetings, providing input on sanitation-related hazards and initiatives.
  • Assist the Quality Assurance department with data collection and trend analysis related to sanitation verification activities.
  • Collaborate with the Maintenance department to schedule planned equipment downtime for deep cleaning and preventative maintenance.
  • Support new product introduction trials by developing and validating appropriate cleaning procedures for new or modified equipment.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of food safety regulations and standards such as HACCP, GMPs, and GFSI schemes (SQF, BRC).
  • SSOP & MSS Development: Proven ability to write, implement, and manage Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures and the Master Sanitation Schedule.
  • Chemical Handling & Safety: Expertise in the safe handling, storage, and application of industrial cleaning chemicals, including understanding SDS and performing titrations.
  • Environmental Monitoring: Experience with Environmental Monitoring Programs (EMP), including ATP bioluminescence, allergen swabbing, and microbiological sampling techniques.
  • Pest Control Principles: Working knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs and best practices.
  • Root Cause Analysis: Skill in using problem-solving tools (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagrams) to investigate and resolve sanitation failures.
  • Documentation & Reporting: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) for creating detailed reports, tracking metrics, and managing schedules.
  • Sanitary Design: Basic understanding of sanitary equipment design principles to identify potential cleaning challenges.
  • Audit Preparedness: Experience participating in or leading sanitation aspects of internal, third-party, and regulatory audits.
  • Leadership & Training: Ability to effectively lead a team, manage work schedules, and conduct hands-on training sessions.

Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail: An exceptional eye for detail to ensure no aspect of cleanliness or procedure is overlooked.
  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to quickly identify and resolve sanitation challenges.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively train staff, collaborate with other departments, and document procedures.
  • Leadership: The ability to motivate, direct, and support a diverse team to achieve high standards of performance.
  • Time Management: Superior organizational skills to manage multiple priorities, schedules, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust to changing production schedules, unexpected issues, and evolving regulatory requirements.
  • Interpersonal Skills: A collaborative spirit to build positive working relationships with peers in production, maintenance, and quality.
  • Resilience: The capacity to remain calm and effective under pressure, particularly during audits or when addressing critical sanitation issues.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Food Science
  • Microbiology
  • Biology
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-5 years of progressive experience in a sanitation role within a food manufacturing, beverage, pharmaceutical, or related regulated environment.

Preferred:

  • At least 1-2 years of experience in a lead or supervisory capacity with direct responsibility for training and directing sanitation staff. Formal certifications in HACCP, PCQI, or a GFSI scheme (SQF, BRC) are highly desirable.
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