Quality Sanitation Specialist at Land O'Lakes

Under the direction of the Quality Assurance Manager, the Quality Sanitation Specialist is responsible for support in the areas of sanitation, master sanitation, hygienic design, environmental monitoring, pest control and internal auditing. 

The Quality Sanitation Specialist must be able to work flexible hours across various shifts according to business needs on short notice and for extended periods of time. Most primary responsibilities will occur during 1st shift hours.  Where aligned with business needs, this position may work up to three (3) days remotely per month.     

Wage: $73-78k/yr.

Required Qualifications & Experiences 

Education and/or Experience: 

• At least one year of experience in Food Plant Sanitation required.  

• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) required 

• Experience writing standard operating procedures (SOP’s, SSOP’s, etc.) required 

• Knowledge of hygienic design, quality management, competent in analytical / microbiological lab environment. 

• B.S. Degree in Microbiology, Food Science /Technology, Food Sanitation or related field preferred, but not required. 

Competencies, Skills, and Knowledge: 

• PCQI training preferred, but not required 

• HACCP training required 

• Proficiency in sanitation program management and metrics required 

• Proficiency in relevant State and FDA related regulations; dairy sanitation, and microbiology strongly preferred, but not required. 

• Excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal and team interaction skills 

• Highly motivated, self-directed and a self-starter. 

Preferred Qualifications & Experiences 

• 1+ years of continuous prior experience in the food industry. 

• Self-reliant and able to accurately work under limited supervision. 

• Able to trouble shoot mechanical problems. 

• Customer focused and able to work in a collaborative team. 

• Ability to follow manufacturer’s specifications and directions. 

• Able to work in a fast-paced environment that requires the ability to rapidly reprioritize task and projects 

• Work in cold and/or hot temperatures throughout the day. 

Essential Functions & Responsibilities 

• Help to ensure the Vermont Creamery Sanitation program is effective and fully implemented, monitored, verified, and validated to ensure all products are manufactured in a sanitary environment. This includes assessment of the sanitation and hygiene of the facility environment as well as all processing and supporting equipment / areas. 

• Ensure Sanitation program is fully compliant with all corporate, customer, GFSI, and regulatory requirements (Federal, State, and local).  

• Assist in the investigation of any environmental positives to determine root cause and preventive measures (vector swabbing, etc.).  Create and maintain supporting and environmental corrective action documentation as required.  

• Primary liaison and point of contact with 3rd Party Sanitation Partner, ATP meter supplier, and Corporate Sanitation Manager. 

• Responsible for inventory and ordering of all non-consignment sanitation chemicals and sanitation tools and utensils. 

• Responsible for the identification and selection of new sanitation tools, utensils and PPE as appropriate. 

• Responsible for ensuring ATP meters are working properly and repaired in a timely manner as needed. 

• Responsible for reviewing 3rd Party Sanitation Partner reports and ensuring corrective and preventive actions are put in place for issues identified. 

• Create, update, and validate SSOP’s and sanitation forms to ensure all equipment, areas, and cleaning activities are captured and properly documented. 

• Responsible for partnering with Maintenance and Plant Management to make relevant updates to Vermont Creamery CIP systems as needed.  

• Where needed, assist with investigation of instances of out of specification microbiological results in product and in the plant environment. Assist with root cause analysis and assist with ensuring timely and effective corrective and preventive actions are put in place. 

• Responsible for conducting accurate and timely record review, including CIP charts, sanitation records, and master sanitation records and maintaining sanitation records in an organized manner. 

• Ensure effective/efficient cleaning frequency is achieved through a robust MSS (Master Sanitation Schedule). Coordinate activities with the Sanitation Team and Operations to ensure consistent completion. Ensure that this cleaning program aligns with Corporate policies and procedures, as well as with any regulatory (Federal, State, Local) requirements.  

• Track and trend sanitation metric performance (e.g. Master Sanitation schedule adherence, environmental monitoring performance, etc.) and report metrics out to the plant leadership team, and Corporate Sanitation. Work closely with the appropriate Supervisor(s) to ensure gaps in Master Sanitation Schedule completion and Sanitation records are escalated, addressed and closed. 

• Responsible for conducting and documenting hygienic design reviews on all new or modified equipment.  Responsible for working with Maintenance and / or the equipment manufacturer to address items of concern identified during hygienic design reviews. 

• Actively participate in continuous improvement projects and loss reduction initiatives as directed by Vermont Creamery leadership. 

• Active member of the Vermont Creamery HACCP team. 

• Update and maintain environmental monitoring swab location list 

• Conduct environmental swabbing activities as directed 

• Other projects and activities as assigned 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Essential Physical Requirements 

• While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to reach, handle or feel, talk, and hear. 

• While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 

• Ability to occasionally lift a minimum of 25 lbs and 26-150 lbs with assistance of equipment. 

• Use of safety glasses, hard hat, safety toed shoes, and other PPE required.