Forager Project is a family-owned, organic, plant-based creamery dedicated to reinventing dairy with plants, not cows.We make dairy-free yogurts, milks, creamers, sour cream, kefir-style drinks, and protein shakes using simple, organic, plant-based ingredients. Built around our own creamery and a commitment to USDA Organic certification, sustainability, and thoughtful sourcing, we are focused on making food that is better for people, the planet, and the future.
Position Summary
Forager Project is seeking an experienced Sanitation Supervisor to lead sanitation activities at our food manufacturing facility. This hands-on leader will oversee the sanitation team, Master Sanitation Schedule, CIP systems, food-contact equipment cleaning, and sanitation readiness while partnering closely with Production, Quality, and Maintenance.
The role requires strong plant-floor leadership, solid CIP knowledge, and the confidence to address sanitation deficiencies. The Sanitation Supervisor has authority to delay production when sanitation requirements are not met or food safety or product quality could be compromised.
Team & Schedule
Direct Reports: 6 sanitation employees
Schedule: Monday-Friday, approximately 3:00 PM-12:00 AM, plus overtime as needed
Flexibility: Occasional weekend and off-shift support based on production and sanitation needs
Coverage: Operators are responsible for general housekeeping and the sanitation team focuses on facility cleaning, detailed cleaning, and CIP
Key Responsibilities
Lead, assign, train, and hold sanitation employees accountable for safe, effective completion of sanitation work.
Maintain and execute the Master Sanitation Schedule and ensure equipment and processing areas are clean, sanitized, verified, and ready for production.
Oversee CIP systems and monitor critical parameters including time, temperature, chemical concentration, flow, valves, and cycle completion.
Oversee cleaning of UHT systems, tanks, silos, pumps, piping, fillers, product transfer lines, and other food-contact equipment.
Investigate failed or incomplete CIP cycles, sanitation deficiencies, recurring issues, and corrective actions.
Ensure compliance with GMPs, SSOPs, chemical handling, PPE, LOTO, food safety requirements, and sanitation procedures.
Maintain accurate sanitation, chemical concentration, CIP, and food safety records and support pre-op verification and audit readiness.
Partner with Production, FSQA, and Maintenance to resolve sanitation and equipment issues and communicate readiness or delays.
Identify opportunities to improve sanitation effectiveness, reduce recurring issues, and improve water, chemical, and labor efficiency.
Stop or delay production when sanitation conditions could compromise food safety or product quality.
Qualifications
Minimum 3 years of sanitation or food manufacturing experience; 3-5 years preferred.
Food manufacturing and hands-on CIP/food-contact equipment sanitation experience required.
Previous supervisory or lead experience required.
Dairy, beverage, UHT, cultured/fermented, plant-based, or other high-care food manufacturing experience preferred.
Working knowledge of CIP/COP, chemical concentration testing, SSOPs, GMPs, HACCP principles, sanitation verification, and pre-op inspections.
Working knowledge of pumps, valves, piping, tanks/silos, pasteurizers/UHT systems, fillers, and packaging equipment.
Strong leadership, communication, troubleshooting, and cross-functional problem-solving skills.
High school diploma or GED required; related college degree is a plus.
Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
Ability to work in a wet manufacturing environment, lift up to 50 pounds, and work required overtime or occasional weekends.
*Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship. This position does not offer current or future employment visa sponsorship.