Job Description

Description

Reporting to the FSQ Sanitation Manager, the FSQ Sanitation Specialist is primarily responsible for monitoring CIP effectiveness and efficiencies and executing corrective actions and sanitation improvements identified during process audits and trending KPIs at the Main Street plant operation. 

Requirements

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assist in spoilage investigations. 
• Assist with (PM’s) preventive maintenance on check balls, spray ball inspections, chemical pumps, and CIP skids.
• Show ability to learn new areas and equipment.
• Effective communication through clear detailed reporting, handwritten, typed, and or verbal methods. 
• Embrace continuous improvement through self-development and mentoring others in best practices.
• Execute SSOP for assigned tasks. 
• Execute and document assigned Master Sanitation Schedule tasks.
• Assist operators in CIP and environmental cleaning.
• Perform sanitation-related PM as needed
• Lead activities to complete action items from service reports and internal audit of CIP performance.
• Maintain sanitation equipment labeling.
• Assist/Execute biofilm reduction processes
• Perform emergency response activity including, but not limited to chemical and water spills, and tank cleaning.
• Perform cleaning at elevations including working from ladders, scissor lifts, and scaffolding. 
• Perform cleaning utilizing a COP tank. 
• Perform chemical titrations on chemical mixing stations and mobile device decontamination units.
• Maintain and deliver chemical drums as needed.
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of safe sanitation practices.
• Follow all safety measures around hot pipes and chemicals, including wearing proper PPE. 
• Participation in Gehl trainings, meetings, and team building. 
• Provide on-the-job training to CIP Operators as needed.
• Help troubleshoot and correct issues found during CIP events. 
• Execute audits of CIP performance and overall sanitary conditions of lines, reporting deficiencies on Aseptic and Ingredient Business Units to drive improvement initiatives.
• Support creation, training, auditing, and updating of SSOP and CIP documentation for Aseptic and Ingredient Business unit lines.
• Execute corrective actions for any deficiencies found during Sanitation audits. 
• Provide support and training for review of CIP records and charts.
• Provide support and training for corrective actions related to deviations in CIP records.
• Assist in developing and implementing improvement initiatives to reduce failures during Pre-Op inspection.
• Active participant in HACCP, GMOS, 3rd party audits, and sterility failure investigations.
• The specialist should have a good understanding and ability to teach environmental cleaning from the start (Rinsing techniques) to chemical types/concentrations and their situational advantages vs. disadvantages, including sanitizing methods all leading up to internal CIP. 
• This role is considered the subject matter expert in CIPs. A job function is to coach employees on best practices and lead by example.
• Innovation and Creativity: This role will require the person to think through problems and participate in Problem-solving groups to achieve high agreement on solutions. (CAPA, UPS, 5W, Fishbone) 
• Strong communication skills are required to collaborate with various groups to execute the CIP validation program, ensuring timely and accurate problem identification. This role acts as the bridge between real-time issues and the completion of corrective actions. It involves working with FSQ, Sanitation, QE, Maintenance, Operations, Management, and Planning.
• Self-improvement and continued education in the Sanitation field of study to support the business needs and be a resource for the business as the subject matter expert. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in Food Science, Engineering, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry or other related field.
• Consideration will be made for individuals who do not fulfill the education requirements but have demonstrated significant technical leadership and experience in Food Safety and quality management systems and compliance.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in Quality Assurance and Food Safety within the food or beverage industries.
• Hands-on experience in food or beverage manufacturing organizations, designing, implementing, and improving food safety and quality management systems. 
• Experience in regulatory aspects of food or beverage manufacturing operations.
• Experience with GFSI certification.
• Current with FSMA developments.
• Knowledge and experience of food or beverage testing and laboratory operations.
• Practical experience in HACCP and delivering of HACCP training.
• Ability to enforce Quality and Food Safety policies and procedures. 
• Comprehensive knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices, Allergen Control, and Sanitation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated people leadership, coaching, and team building experience.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously, while maintaining a strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Tools (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with aseptic processing and packaging of food or beverage products. 
• Completion of “Better Process Control School – Aseptic Packaging”
• PCQI certified.
• Work experience with Continuous Improvement methods.
• Work experience with Statistical process control.
• Six Sigma Certification
• Experience in project management and planning. 

Physical Activity:

• Regularly climb, squat, bend, kneel, sit, stand, walk, and move about.
• Frequently reach overhead and lift/carry/push/pull 50 lbs.

Equipment Operated:

Forklift, Aerial lift’s, Hotsy’s, Human Machine Interface (HMI) or related other process control equipment, PC and other miscellaneous equipment. 

Additional Compensation – Bonus Potential:  

You will be eligible to participate in the Gehl Food & Beverage Bonus Program for non-exempt employees. Under this Program, quarterly and annual bonus payouts are based on achievement of targeted production numbers.  Gehl Foods, LLC reserves the right to change the Bonus Program at anytime, without notice. 

Working Conditions: Frequently exposed to wet and varying temperature conditions between 60-130 degrees Fahrenheit, loud noise, vibration, moving machinery/electrical parts, risk of electrical shock, airborne particles, high/precarious places, toxic/caustic chemicals, allergens including soy, milk and milk by-products and fumes from food processing equipment.

While this description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the most significant duties of the current position, it is not necessarily exhaustive of all responsibilities, duties, effort, requirements or expectations of this position. Other duties may be assigned as necessary. The company reserves the right to modify the job requirements as circumstances change and the needs of the company so dictate, without editing this job description in its entirety.

Acknowledgments: I am fully capable of completing the essential functions of the job duties listed herein) I certify that I understand that this job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and that I am expected, hereby agree, to perform other job-related tasks properly assigned to me by my supervisor. I understand and agree that the Company has the legal right to revise or change this document in part, or in total as business needs dictate. I understand and fully agree, that this job description does not constitute a written or implied contract for employment, and that my employment relationship with the Company is “at will,” for an unspecified duration, and may be terminated at any time by me or the Company as specified by Section 2922 of the California Labor Code.