Senior Manager, Sanitation

Job description

Work is Sweet! 'Quality without Compromise' is not just a motto at See's Candies. It is the most important ingredient in our recipe for success. See's Candies has been in business since 1921 and maintains a reputation for producing the highest quality candy and providing superior customer service. See's is a leader in the confectionary industry with over 250 retail shops across the USA. We are seeking friendly, enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about providing great customer service. Job Description Summary: POSITION OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this position is to manage and lead the Sanitation Department operations to maintain all manufacturing, packing, and distribution center facilities in a clean and food-safe condition at all times. This position oversees the development, implementation, and maintenance of sanitation programs to meet company standards, as well as Federal FDA, state, and local regulatory requirements, including management of our integrated pest management program. Responsible for Department safety, food safety, quality, budgeting, purchasing, cost control, water use reduction, and all aspects of personnel management in accordance with the union contract. This position requires approximately 50% travel and may be based in either San Francisco or Los Angeles. The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $98,000K - $122,000K per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Job Description: POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: Oversee, to ensure that the Sanitation and Operations staff perform all sanitation activities in a way that maximizes efficiency, productivity, and safety of all Sanitation and Operations employees while fostering a team environment. Manage and supervise in accordance with the Union contract. Provide leadership, training, and supervision to ensure all Sanitation activities are carried out safely and in accordance with See’s safety policies, procedures, and safe work rules. Ensure all safety incidents and near misses are reported and investigated to improve safety. Participate in daily/weekly/monthly safety activities and meetings. Provide leadership and strategy by developing and executing a multi-site sanitation strategy aligned with corporate food safety, quality, and sustainability goals. Coach and mentor sanitation managers and supervisors across all five facilities, fostering consistency, accountability, and a culture of excellence. Partner with corporate and facility leadership to align sanitation metrics with overall business objectives. Foster a culture of operational execution by standardizing sanitation processes, SSOPs, cleaning efficacy validation, and training programs across all facilities. Oversee day-to-day sanitation performance, ensuring execution to regulatory (FDA, EPA, OSHA) and 3rd party audit standards. Identify and deploy best-in-class equipment, automation, and sanitization and chemical programs that enhance effectiveness and reduce costs. Lead focused on compliance and safety by ensuring all facilities always maintain audit readiness, passing internal and external audits with zero major findings: lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for any sanitation-related food safety or quality deviation—champion safety-first practices in washdowns, cleaning, and chemical handling processes. Drive continuous improvement efforts by establishing site-level and enterprise-wide KPIs to track sanitation performance and identify improvement opportunities. Lead cross-site projects that enhance water conservation, chemical optimization, and waste reduction—spearhead benchmarking and adoption of emerging sanitation technologies. Manage collaboration and Influence by partnering closely with FSQA, Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Procurement, and Supply Chain leaders to ensure sanitation supports production excellence. Act as the subject matter expert representing sanitation in executive reviews, audits, and customer meetings. Ensure the sanitation department is accountable for achieving the water savings and water conservation initiatives to reduce the use of water to clean equipment. Improving the cleaning processes with innovative dry methods to enhance food safety, protect equipment, and reduce water usage by training the sanitation team and transforming the operations with new dry-cleaning technologies. Manage and oversee the process of cleaning and sanitizing all manufacturing, processing, and warehousing areas. Identify, report, and resolve conditions or practices that compromise personal safety, food safety, quality, or overall sanitation effectiveness. Monitor and verify the effectiveness of the sanitation processes through daily post-sanitation (Pre-Op) inspection, coordination of the environmental monitoring program with QA teams, and trending of vital data obtained through environmental monitoring. Ensure continuous improvement training is delivered to the Sanitation Department staff in safe and effective sanitation practices. Supervise the training of employees undergoing department classification Training. Verify, develop, and ensure compliance with all Sanitation Standard Operating procedures (SSOPs), Sanitation Checklists and Forms, and Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS). Manage the effectiveness of the sanitation programs of the packing plants and distribution centers. Ensure that the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) follows Good Documentation Practices (GDPs), such as the Sanitation Manager or designee shall follow good documentation practices by reviewing MSS documents for accuracy, then sign and date as verification. Manage 3rd party suppliers in the areas of Pest Management and Cleaning Chemicals to achieve agreed performance, service, and cost KPI, and ensure all required training, programs, and documentation are in place and effective. Oversee the implementation and leadership in administering See's Safety Program and daily exercise program. Participate and lead various meetings and employee training seminars, including department meetings, Hazard Communications, and Bloodborne Pathogens Training. Responsible for execution and adherence to pre-requisite programs as well as food security/defense programs. Verify the proper maintenance of documentation of programs, including Pest Management, Daily Cleaning Checklist, Master Sanitation Schedule, Training Records, and Chemical Inventory. Participate in the Food Safety audits of the facility performed by the cross-functional management team. Document findings in the areas of responsibility and follow up on corrective and preventive actions. Supports implementation of new methods, procedures, and systems to improve quality and food safety. Responsible for leading Food Safety and Quality efforts with the designated SQF Practitioner. Ensure the Sanitation Managers and supervisors are coaching and counseling employees, as needed, concerning attendance, performance, policies, procedures, and safety in accordance with the union contract. Manage operations to comply with all applicable safety, food safety, quality, and environmental laws and regulations, as well as Company safety policies, food safety, and quality procedures and standards. In the absence of the Senior Sanitation Manager, the Sanitation Manager and Supervisor will assume plant responsibility under the leadership and guidance of the Director and SVP of FSQA. Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure workload coverage and organizational needs are met. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum 5 years’ experience in the management of a Sanitation or similar Department in a major food processing facility or related field. Excellent management and communication skills, proven ability to provide proactive leadership, motivation, and supervision to employees at all levels. Experience in a union environment preferred—excellent verbal and organizational skills. Knowledge of pest control, equipment, and facility cleaning procedures and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Experience with GFSI 3rd party audit (AIB, SQF, BRC, etc.) preferred. Intermediate PC skills, including MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook), required. Experience administering a Hazardous Communication Program and "Right to Know" training. Strong written and verbal skills. Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to manage and motivate employees. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team-based and fast-paced environment. Experience building and managing a Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) and ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices and FDA Regulations. Regular, punctual, physical attendance is an essential function of this position. Proven ability to learn new technologies quickly and manage change efficiently, proactively, and positively. Self-starter with a demonstrated high level of initiative. Proven leadership competencies in driving resolutions and results, creative problem-solving, and improving sanitation performance consistency. Able to work on day, swing, and night shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed. The Christmas holiday season regularly requires swing and night shift schedules. Bilingual: English-Spanish, or English-Chinese preferred. Core Values All team members must demonstrate a commitment to See’s core principles and workplace values, including integrity, commitment, experience, and stewardship in all aspects of their work. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, in addition to a full range of generous medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. See's is an EOE See’s will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable local, state or federal law (including San Francisco Ordinance #131192 and Los Angeles Municipal Code 189.00).