Job Description

Leads all 3rd‑shift production and sanitation activities to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations. Responsible for meeting overnight production goals, executing full sanitation cycles, and preparing the facility for 1st‑shift startup. Works with minimal onsite leadership, requiring strong decision‑making, HACCP/GMP knowledge, and the ability to coordinate both production and sanitation teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Production Leadership

• Direct and support 3rd‑shift production staff to meet output, quality, and safety targets.
• Monitor line performance, adjust staffing, and resolve bottlenecks or downtime issues.
• Verify ingredient usage, batch accuracy, and documentation for regulatory compliance.
• Conduct in‑process quality checks and escalate deviations to QA or Maintenance.
• Maintain accurate production logs, waste tracking, and shift‑handover reports.

Sanitation Oversight

• Lead sanitation crews in executing full cleaning and sanitizing of equipment, tools, and production areas.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP, SSOPs, FDA requirements, and internal audit standards.
• Verify chemical concentrations, sanitation procedures, and equipment disassembly/reassembly.
• Perform pre‑operational inspections and sign‑off for 1st‑shift startup readiness.
• Maintain sanitation records, chemical inventories, and corrective‑action documentation.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce OSHA, food‑safety, and facility safety policies during all overnight operations.
• Conduct safety observations, incident investigations, and near‑miss reporting.
• Ensure proper PPE use, lockout/tagout adherence, and chemical‑handling protocols.

Team Development & Communication

• Train employees on production processes, sanitation procedures, and safety expectations.
• Provide coaching, performance feedback, and cross‑training opportunities.
• Deliver clear shift‑handover communication to 1st‑shift Production, QA, and Maintenance.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in food manufacturing with exposure to both production and sanitation.
• Prior leadership or lead‑operator experience on any shift.
• Strong working knowledge of HACCP, GMP, SSOPs, and sanitation best practices.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment, workflow, and sanitation issues independently.
• Strong communication, documentation, and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to work overnight hours consistently.
• Preferred: Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Manufacturing, or related field.

Preferred Competencies

• Experience in FDA‑regulated or ready‑to‑eat environments.
• Familiarity with ERP/production systems and digital sanitation logs.
• Strong understanding of allergen controls, cross‑contamination risks, and environmental monitoring.
• Ability to lead diverse teams and maintain morale on 3rd shift.