Job Description

Lead, Sanitation Location: Chicago, US, 60654

At Barry Callebaut, we are on a journey to transform the cocoa and chocolate industry. As the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, our actions truly shape the future of our industry. We are a business-to-business company, serving the entire food sector, from the cocoa bean to the finest chocolate product. We are a company with a purpose, we believe in doing well by doing good and reinvesting in the communities we operate. We have a long-standing commitment to sustainability and our goal is to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future. We are headquartered in Zurich, and have more than 12,000 passionate Employees working in more than 40 countries worldwide. We are very proud of who we are and what we do. And of course, we are always looking for talented people to help us have a positive impact on our industry and beyond!

About the role:

Under the direction of the Operations Manager, the Sanitation Lead will be accountable for accomplishing food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards (Internal and external). Responsible for the Sanitation Technicians crew.

Key responsibilities include:

• Sanitation Program Management: Develop, implement, and oversee sanitation programs and cleaning schedules for all areas of the facility, including production, packaging, storage, and common areas.
• Ensure adherence to sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs) and food safety protocols, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), and other relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Team Leadership & Training: Manage and lead the sanitation team, including supervision, training, scheduling, and performance evaluation. Provide ongoing training and support to sanitation staff to ensure adherence to cleanliness standards and safety procedures.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and teamwork within the sanitation department.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the facility complies with all local, state, and federal regulations, including OSHA, FDA, USDA, and EPA standards. Assist with internal and external audits, inspections, and certifications, and ensure the facility meets all required sanitation and safety standards. Maintain records related to sanitation activities, cleaning logs, and other documentation as required by regulatory authorities.
• Quality Control & Inspection: Conduct regular inspections of sanitation practices, including the cleanliness of production lines, equipment, and employee areas. Perform verification tests (e.g., ATP testing, visual inspections) to ensure the effectiveness of sanitation procedures and identify areas for improvement. Collaborate with the quality control team to resolve any sanitation-related quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify areas for process improvements, cost reductions, and increased efficiency in sanitation practices and cleaning procedures. Research and recommend new sanitation technologies, tools, and methods that improve cleaning efficiency and reduce downtime. Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., production, maintenance, quality) to enhance overall facility hygiene and operational efficiency.
• Inventory and Supplies Management: Monitor and manage sanitation supplies and chemicals inventory to ensure adequate stock levels and proper usage. Ensure that cleaning chemicals and supplies are stored, handled, and disposed of according to safety and regulatory standards.
• Safety & Environmental Compliance: Promote and enforce a culture of safety within the sanitation department, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe chemical handling practices.
• Ensure that sanitation activities do not interfere with the safety of the production process and product quality.

About you:

• 3 - 5 years of experience in the Sanitation department, managing cleaning chemicals.
• Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, Quality Systems, and SOPs
• Experience across manufacturing, chemical, engineering, or food industries (including Food Technology), or in related sectors.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral & written.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Experience in leading and managing a team.
• Experience using a computer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, desirable SAP).

What you can expect from Barry Callebaut:

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Environment that welcomes workplace flexibility.
• An atmosphere where diversity is embraced, and inclusivity is second nature. We call it #OneBC! Just ask our champions with the Americas Women’s Forum and the Racial Equality Forum!
• Ability to grow personally and professionally within an organization that values development and internal career growth.
• Be part of our mission in making sustainability the norm through Forever Chocolate with priorities centered around prospering farmers, zero child labor, carbon and forest positive, and creating 100% sustainable ingredients in all of our products.

At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong. #oneBC - Diverse People, Sustainable Growth.

If you want to learn more about Barry Callebaut, please find further information here.

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