Sanitation Supervisor

About the Job:

The Sanitation Supervisor provides leadership and tactical direction to Shift Sanitation Leads and Sanitation Technicians to ensure that all facility areas and food processing equipment are cleaned and sanitized in full compliance with safety standards and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This role is a key cross-functional partner, driving operational floor-level continuous improvement initiatives and executing non-conformance investigations to support facility hygiene excellence. The Sanitation Supervisor plays a vital role in strengthening collaboration with Operations and Quality teams by identifying targeted execution opportunities and ensuring alignment with established facility cleaning protocols and standards. This position is responsible for supervising daily execution, tracking master sanitation schedules, and implementing localized corrective actions to ensure the facility consistently meets quality, food safety, regulatory, and customer requirements.

A strong commitment to food safety and employee health and safety is essential to success in this role.

Key Responsibilities:

·  Champion and model a Safety-First culture, ensuring full compliance with all supervisory obligations under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act while driving proactive safety engagement across the facility.

·  Provide strong leadership, coaching, and performance management to the Sanitation team, including Shift Sanitation Leads, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and employee development.

·  Lead the execution and optimization of the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS), ensuring sanitation activities are aligned with operational requirements, food safety standards, and production efficiency goals.

·  Actively participate in and contribute to key Barry Callebaut Operating Systems Pillars, driving operational excellence initiatives and supporting site performance objectives.

·  Develop, implement, and continuously improve sanitation programs, policies, and procedures tailored to a predominantly dry-cleaning food manufacturing environment.

·  Serve as the site's sanitation subject matter expert, identifying opportunities to improve sanitation effectiveness, resource utilization, and environmental sustainability.

·  Conduct routine audits, inspections, and risk assessments to identify sanitation gaps, food safety risks, and non-conformances, ensuring timely implementation of corrective and preventive actions.

·  Lead employee relations activities within the department, including performance coaching, recognition, corrective action, conflict resolution, and talent development.

·  Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, and Engineering teams to optimize sanitation windows, equipment readiness, and production performance.

·  Participate in Daily Direction Setting (DDS), operational reviews, food safety meetings, and cross-functional improvement initiatives.

·  Manage departmental staffing, workforce planning, and scheduling to ensure adequate coverage while maintaining labour efficiency targets.

·  Oversee sanitation-related work orders and maintenance activities, ensuring issues impacting food safety or equipment cleanliness are prioritized and resolved effectively.

·  Review and audit daily CIL (Clean, Inspect, Lubricate) activities, sanitation records, and floor observations, ensuring sustained basic conditions and operational standards.

·  Manage sanitation operating budgets and inventory, including chemicals, equipment, cleaning tools, and consumables.

·  Ensure the safe and effective use of sanitation chemicals through verification, titration programs, training, and continuous performance monitoring.

·  Partner with Quality and Food Safety teams to validate cleaning methodologies, supporting the selection of effective sanitation tools, chemicals, and best practices.

·  Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) for equipment, production lines, and facility infrastructure.

·  Support and lead internal, customer, and regulatory audits, ensuring sanitation programs consistently meet or exceed food safety and regulatory requirements.

·  Drive sanitation training and capability-building programs to enhance employee knowledge, compliance, and overall sanitation effectiveness.

·  Establish and monitor departmental KPIs, including sanitation effectiveness, audit results, food safety compliance, labour efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives.

·  Consistently deliver results that exceed food safety, quality, and employee safety expectations while supporting the site's operational objectives.

·  Foster a highly collaborative, high-performing team environment across all shifts, building strong partnerships with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain teams.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Extensive time spent on the production floor, including walking, climbing stairs/ladders, and performing physical inspections.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and varying shifts, in a 24/7 operation.
• Occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to heat and industrial environments.
• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.

About You:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in food plant sanitation and leadership capacity.
• Bachelor’s degree in Science or a related field (preferred).
• Strong understanding of Ontario workplace health and safety regulations.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, GMP, food safety systems, microbiology, and chemical safety.
• Expertise in wet and dry cleaning processes, including COP, CIP, soil identification, chemical selection, and validation techniques.
• Solid understanding of microbiological principles as they relate to sanitation.
• Strong sense of urgency with the ability to meet deadlines and work independently.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), organizational, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated experience supervising and coaching team members
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency in SAP, Microsoft Office & POKA.
• Experience with ISO standards and GFSI certifications (e.g., BRC, SQF) is highly desirable.

Barry Callebaut can offer you a challenging and dynamic international environment that includes a broad range of opportunities for personal growth and development. Apply for one of our interesting positions and start a great career in the wonderful world of CHOCOLATE. Barry Callebaut is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at the Brantford site.