Job Summary
Sanitation Manager - Food Manufacturing
San Diego, CA
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QUALITY ADVISOR
Southern California, CA | Exempt |
REPORTS TO
VP of Operations
LOCATION
San Diego, CA
ROLE SUMMARY
A growing food manufacturer is seeking a Quality Advisor to serve as an internal subject matter expert and trusted advisor on food safety and quality systems across its manufacturing operations. This role is designed for a senior practitioner who assesses current-state programs, identifies gaps, and provides expert guidance to operational and quality teams
without carrying direct management responsibility.
The right candidate brings deep technical knowledge, strong cross-functional influence skills, and the credibility to drive meaningful change through collaboration rather than authority. This is a strategic advisory role with real operational impact.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Assessment & Advisory
Evaluate current food safety and quality programs against SQF, FDA, and customer standards, identifying gaps and recommending prioritized improvements
Advise on the structure and design of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Master Cleaning Schedules, and pre-operational inspection protocols
Provide expert guidance on transitioning contracted hygiene and cleaning functions to in-house execution, including staffing model recommendations and implementation roadmaps
Food Safety & Compliance Consulting
Serve as the facility's internal subject matter expert on food safety systems, hygienic design, environmental controls, and cleaning and disinfection chemistry
Advise FSQA and Operations teams on maintaining continuous audit readiness for SQF, customer, and regulatory reviews
Guide corrective action development and root cause analysis processes following food safety or quality events
Performance Metrics & Continuous Improvement
Recommend KPI frameworks and measurement systems to assess program effectiveness, including:
?Pre-operational inspection pass rates
?ATP and microbiological environmental monitoring results
?Re-work and re-cleaning rates
?Labor efficiency
?Production downtime attributable to food safety or hygiene events
?Master Cleaning Schedule attainment
Analyze data and inspection results to identify trends, validate effectiveness, and inform continuous improvement priorities
Operational Efficiency Guidance
Advise on optimization opportunities across labor deployment, chemical usage, water consumption, and cleaning methodologies
Identify and recommend process improvements that reduce production downtime related to food safety and hygiene operations
Support wastewater reduction initiatives including management of high-BOD/TSS processes
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with FSQA, Maintenance, HR, and Operations teams to align on food safety priorities and implementation strategies
Coordinate with chemical suppliers, equipment vendors, and external compliance partners to evaluate and recommend programs appropriate for the facility
Advise on tools, equipment, and systems to standardize documentation, verification, and reporting across quality operations
QUALIFICATIONS
8+ years of food safety and quality operations experience in food manufacturing, with bakery experience preferred
Demonstrated expertise building, assessing, or significantly restructuring food safety programs in a manufacturing environment
Strong working knowledge of SQF standards, HACCP principles, SSOP development and validation, and environmental monitoring programs
Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive change without direct management authority
Experience advising on or managing hygiene and food safety programs across multiple shifts, including overnight operations
Analytical mindset with the ability to assess program performance data and translate findings into actionable recommendations
Experience managing or advising on budgets, labor models, and operational performance metrics
Bachelor's degree preferred
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Regular presence on the production floor in wet, cold, and variable temperature environments
Exposure to industrial cleaning chemistry and food safety equipment
Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs as needed
Flexibility to work varied hours in alignment with operational schedules as needed
BENEFITS
The company offers a competitive benefits package that may include:
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) with company match
Paid time off and paid sick leave in accordance with California law
Paid holidays and floating holidays
Career growth and development opportunities
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