Sanitation Specialist
Created: April 15, 2015
Band/Level: Professional Band, Level 4 (P4)
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
The Sanitation Specialist is responsible for assisting in the development, implementation and
compliance of company-wide sanitation programs, policies and practices related to wet and dry
sanitation, and continuous improvement programs based on audit results. The position
engages Operations, Quality and Plant Production staff to ensure successful program adoption,
provides technical expertise and works with Corporate Engineering to resolve issues related to
processing equipment sanitation and plant/line construction/changes. In addition, the position
is responsible for assisting in the development and execution of company-wide sanitation
training and auditing programs.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
This position reports to the Vice President of Operations. This position works closely with plant
Quality Assurance management, corporate Technical Services-QA/Food Safety, corporate
Technical Services/Engineering, Plant Operations, Lab Technicians, external vendors, auditors,
and, as may be required, regulatory agencies.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(The essential functions listed below are not intended to reflect all duties that may be assigned
to this position. Tree Top may augment duties, including essential functions, at its discretion.)
1. Serve as a sanitation expert providing guidance and technical support to Operations Quality,
R&D, Company manufacturing facilities and Co-mans in the areas of sanitation, pest control,
pathogen/environmental control programs, new equipment installation or construction
changes and other food safety or quality initiatives as relating to sanitation and pest
elimination processes.
2. Assist with the design, implementation, enhancement and validation of sanitation and pest
elimination methods and programs across all facilities. Ensure uniformity of sanitation and
pest elimination practices, where applicable. Assist plants with the development of
sanitation business plans and capital investment priorities. Establish and monitor key
sanitation metrics.
3. Design and conduct Sanitation Audits/Assessments at Company manufacturing facilities and
Co-mans to identify areas for sanitation program and practices improvements based on
audit results.
Sanitation Specialist
Position Code: TBD
Page 1 of 4
4. Leverage sanitation and pest management vendors' expertise to help implement a best-inclass sanitation program including, but not limited to, design and testing of new/improved
sanitation and pest elimination methods, training materials, best practices sharing, and
operational savings opportunities. Identify and manage resources to deliver improved
operational efficiencies.
5. Assist with developing, updating and communicating sanitation standards and procedures
to comply with Company requirements and governmental regulations.
6. Assist in the development and ongoing improvement of training programs, workshops and
other resource material.
7. Have regular attendance and work appropriate number of hours to get the essential
functions completed.
8. Perform under the Working Conditions described below.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENTRY:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
 Principles and practices of food processing, manufacturing, and packaging.
 Solid knowledge of food safety and microbiology background in relation to pest control,
pathogen and allergen control, spoilage and plant sanitation.
 Sound understanding of sanitation practices, chemical usage/application within a food
manufacturing facility.
 Experience with COP and CIP cleaning systems.
 Extensive knowledge of quality auditing-procedures, systems.
 Strong regulatory awareness: Federal, State, local, and company laws, codes, regulations,
policies, and procedures applicable to the quality and safety of foods.
 Knowledge and understanding of SQF code.
 Thorough knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, GFSI/ISO Sanitation Standards.
 Understanding of FDA and/or USDA inspected manufacturing facilities.
 Principles and practices of advanced math and statistics.
ABILITY TO:
 Effectively manage and lead multiple projects with multidisciplinary teams toward a shared
goal.
 Conduct risk assessment analysis and cause/correction action reviews to resolve quality
issues.
 Develop and evaluate sanitation procedures in both wet and dry environments for their
effectiveness and adequacy.
 Possess strong written and oral communication skills with experience in auditing and
training a diverse work group.
Sanitation Specialist
Position Code: TBD
Page 2 of 4









Maintain confidential and sensitive information.
Think creatively and strategically in order to drive organization-wide results.
Partner with many diverse groups to effectively manage issues and operations savings
opportunities within Plant sanitation and pest control programs.
Gain cooperation through collaboration, discussion, persuasion, and negotiation.
Identify, research, and analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, and project
consequences of proposed actions.
Gather, evaluate, and interpret information.
Effectively organize, plan, and execute.
Use computers and computer software including word processing, spreadsheets, and
databases.
Meet behaviors established in Tree Top’s performance management and development
process.
EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATION/LICENSES, AND TRAINING:



A Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, Engineering or
closely related field.
Minimum of 5 to 7 years of related experience in the food industry with demonstrated
experience/achievements in sanitation.
Demonstrated experience, strength, and in-depth knowledge of sanitation, pest control and
Plant manufacturing systems. Sanitarian certification is preferred.
WORKING CONDITIONS:








Frequently works in a lab or manufacturing/plant environment, and occasionally has
exposures to an office or outdoors environment
Frequently works different shifts (days, swing, graveyard)
Frequently deals with highly confidential information
Frequently works under tight time constraints or with business activities of a
seasonal/cyclical nature
Frequently travels, including overnight stays, to other worksites, for off-site meetings, and
for training purposes
Occasionally works with dissatisfied or angry customers
Occasionally works from home
Physical requirements of the job:
o Frequently lifts up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifts up to 50 pounds
o Vision requirements: Constantly uses near vision, far vision, and depth perception
and frequently uses color vision
o Constantly talks, stands, and/or walks
o Frequently climbs, lifts, crouches, pulls, kneels, types, reaches, pushes, stoops,
grasps, crawls, listens/uses hearing, sits, and/or drives
Sanitation Specialist
Position Code: TBD
Page 3 of 4
o Occasionally uses repetitive hand motions
o Types of exposures encountered: Constantly has exposures to radiation, frequently
has exposures to odors or fumes or loud machine/equipment noise, and occasionally
has exposures to human blood and pathogens, extreme heat/cold temperatures,
and/or electrical current
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this job with reasonable
accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and
depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability
and the ability of the department/division to accommodate the limitation.
Sanitation Specialist
Position Code: TBD
Page 4 of 4