Sanitation Lead (Graveyard Shift)

La Terra Fina is seeking a Sanitation Lead (Graveyard Shift) to define the role of sanitation functions within the company's total quality management culture and to adopt the TQM Philosophy of prevention versus appraisal. In this role you will assure that the plant complies with all the company, state, federal, and local laws, regulations, guidelines, standards, etc. relating to sanitation and food safety. You will establish programs, articulate and reinforce the responsibility of all employees and to integrate food safety and sanitation standards into the Manufacturing process consistently throughout the factory.

We are an entrepreneurial environment looking for passionate people who want to make a difference and help grow a brand devoted to people, teamwork, and delicious food!

Primary Responsibilities

Execute daily sanitation and food safety procedures throughout the facility, ensuring thorough execution on all food safety and sanitation procedures.

• Performs pre-operational including equipment, facility, and grounds for cleanliness, housekeeping, and proper sanitation. ATP and visually inspects required areas and specific equipment based on the pre op program requirements.
• Recommends and implements corrective and preventive measures to improve plant sanitation, employee hygienic practices, and product safety.
• Assures the company that the process is within USDA/FDA/State requirements and compliance.
• Assure that products are produced in an environment free of microorganisms and within specifications and to work with the Sanitation Supervisor to establish, review, update procedures as the process change throughout the operation.
• Takes corrective action to different types of problems that may be encountered to detect the root cause of the problem.
• Makes recommendations for correction and total elimination by communications, maintenance of uniformity within the department, and installing food safety awareness attitude with all employees to do it right the first time.
• Supports inspectors from outside agencies through the factory, report on their findings, and follow-through for corrections promptly.
• Documents and reports any pre op non-conformance to the FSQ Manager and Operations Supervisor
• Assists in organizing the activities of the Sanitation department.

Acts as the leader of the sanitation team, training, informing, directing and cataloging activities, exceptions and performance of team.

• Engages in all relevant training, understand that the Lead acts as a key provider of insight and knowledge regarding operational knowledge, Safety and Food Safety knowledge, GMPs, and Quality standards.
• May also engage, in part, in the same work as the employees he/she supervises.
• Ensures compliance with all safety policies, practices and procedures, training team as required.
• Ensures 100% adherence to all company established chemical, safety and cleaning policies and procedures.
• Conducts employee training to promote and ensure the hygienic handling of product and other sanitary requirements, including SSOP's and GMP's to ensure cleanliness in the preparation and handling of edible products.

Promotes a safety work culture by reinforcing all safety policies and practices.

• Assures LTF safety program guidelines are met or exceeded.
• Facilitates and executes Safety trainings and partnering with EHS Coordinator.
• Actively participates in the Plant Safety program audits, inspections and JSA’s.

Maintains work areas aligned with lean (5-S) principles.

• Embraces lean principles and training and applies these principles to work environment and team management.
• Participates in all 5-S events to communicate cultural alignment from top-down to 5-S and lean activities.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements

• High school or GED is required.
• A minimum of 1-year related work experience and knowledge in food sanitation operations, procedures, sanitation chemicals and program standards in the food manufacturing industry is required.
• A minimum of 1-year supervisory experience is required, with the ability to provide clear and actionable instructions and feedback.
• A minimum of 1-year working knowledge of food technology, food science, microbiology or chemistry is required.
• A commensurate amount of education and experience may substitute.
• Ability to work independently while applying safety, GMP and quality principles.
• Must be able to read and understand chemical labels.
• Basic computer skills are preferred.
• Must be able to work autonomously as well as within groups.
• The ability to effectively plan, organize and prioritize work is needed.
• Must be able and willing to advocate for a food-safe and people-safe work environment.
• Must be able to communicate effectively, to provide instruction and direction, to explain how things work, the importance of procedures and to create cultural alignment.
• Bilingual ability in Spanish and English is required.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently requires standing, lifting, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, smelling, listening, speaking, and seeing to perform the essential job duties.
• Work conditions vary, working time will vary based upon work / project needs, and flexibility is critical. Temperatures range from 5 to 90 F degrees in processing departments.
• Exposure to potentially dangerous machinery and equipment are present in the plant. Potential electrical, mechanical, and chemical, hazards are also present. The noise level is high and constant. Floors are damp and slick.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, pull and lift up to 25 lbs. to stand for long periods of time.
• Close visual acuity to view a computer terminal, analyze reports, manage data and detail.
• Able to lift up to 60lbs.
• Able to work in a high-paced and hot environment.
• Able to withstand strong odors from the foods being processed.

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This description is not intended to be a complete list of duties or tasks, but instead is to provide a guideline of fundamental responsibilities, tasks and duties. La Terra Fina reserves the right to make edits and changes to this role description as business needs require and new tasks and duties may be periodically added or revised.

La Terra Fina is an equal opportunity employer.