Sanitation Manager- 1st Shift in Chicago, Illinois at JTM FOODS LLC

Department: Sanitation

Schedule: First Shift (6am Start Time)

Pay:100k-115k

Overview

JTM Foods, LLC is seeking an experienced and driven Sanitation Manager to lead and oversee all sanitation and food safety sanitation initiatives within our food manufacturing facility. This leadership role is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness, food safety, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and employee engagement across the facility.

The Sanitation Manager is a key member of plant leadership and plays a vital role in protecting product quality, legality, integrity, and safety while ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP, GFSI standards, FDA regulations, OSHA requirements, and all Federal, State, and local food safety standards.

This individual will provide strategic direction, leadership, coaching, and accountability to sanitation leadership and sanitation teams while partnering cross-functionally with Operations, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Warehousing, and Human Resources to support overall plant performance and continuous improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with extensive food manufacturing sanitation experience, strong regulatory knowledge, exceptional team leadership abilities, and a passion for driving a world-class food safety culture.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, manage, coach, and develop Sanitation Supervisors, Leads, and sanitation team members to ensure high performance and accountability.
• Build a culture focused on food safety, employee safety, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Establish clear expectations, provide ongoing feedback, conduct performance evaluations, and support employee development initiatives.
• Develop staffing plans, schedules, labor utilization strategies, and training programs to support operational needs.
• Foster strong employee engagement while promoting company values and maintaining a positive work environment.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with:

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)

HACCP programs

FDA and USDA regulations

GFSI requirements

OSHA standards

Company food safety and sanitation programs

• Maintain responsibility for Food-SLIQ standards, including food safety, legality, integrity, and quality.
• Support and lead sanitation readiness for audits and inspections including:

AIB inspections

GFSI certification audits

Regulatory inspections

Customer audits

• Act as Certified Food Defense Coordinator and support all food defense initiatives.
• Ensure allergen controls, environmental monitoring, sanitation verification, and preventive controls are effectively executed and documented.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions related to sanitation and food safety findings.

Operational & Sanitation Management

• Oversee all sanitation activities throughout the manufacturing facility including production equipment, processing lines, storage areas, warehouses, transportation equipment, and facility structures.
• Develop and implement sanitation procedures, master sanitation schedules, and verification programs to ensure effective cleaning and sanitization.
• Partner closely with Operations and Maintenance to optimize equipment cleaning procedures and reduce downtime while maintaining sanitation effectiveness.
• Monitor sanitation chemical usage, sanitation supply inventory, labor costs, and department budgets.
• Ensure proper use, storage, and handling of sanitation chemicals and pest control materials.
• Manage pest control programs including rodent, bird, and insect prevention strategies utilizing both chemical and non-chemical controls.
• Analyze sanitation performance metrics and implement continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Safety & Continuous Improvement

• Promote and enforce workplace safety programs and safe work practices throughout the sanitation department.
• Conduct safety observations, investigations, corrective actions, and employee safety training.
• Identify operational opportunities for improvement in sanitation systems, equipment, labor utilization, and cleaning methods.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across the facility.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leadership teams to drive plant goals and improve operational performance.

Qualifications & Skills

• Strong understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Knowledge of bakery production equipment, storage systems, transfer equipment, and sanitation processes.
• Experience implementing HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) programs.
• Understanding of allergens, mold prevention, and environmental controls.
• Experience with pest control programs, including chemical and non-chemical applications.
• Knowledge of safe handling and use of pesticides and sanitation chemicals.
• Familiarity with American Institute of Baking (AIB) inspection procedures.
• Strong leadership, communication, and employee motivation skills.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage budgets, labor, and sanitation supply costs effectively.
• Experience scheduling, training, and directing sanitation crews.
• Commitment to operational efficiency, food safety, and continuous improvement.
• Education & Experience
• Minimum of 3 years of experience at a Plant Supervisor level or higher in a manufacturing environment with exposure to GMPs.
• Pest Control Licensing preferred, or ability to obtain certification within six months of hire.

Why Join JTM Foods?

At JTM Foods, we value teamwork, accountability, food safety, and operational excellence. We are looking for leaders who are passionate about building strong teams, maintaining high standards, and driving continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Apply today to become part of a company committed to quality, safety, and excellence.