Senior Manager, Sanitation

Work is Sweet!

'Quality without Compromise' is not just a motto at See's Candies. It is the most important ingredient in our recipe for success. See's Candies has been in business since 1921 and maintains a reputation for producing the highest quality candy and providing superior customer service.

See's is a leader in the confectionary industry with over 250 retail shops across the USA. We are seeking friendly, enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about providing great customer service.

Job Description Summary:

The Senior Manager, Sanitation is a key leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, execution, and continuous improvement of sanitation programs across five manufacturing facilities in California. This role ensures compliance with all safety, food safety, and regulatory standards while optimizing sanitation processes and leading high-performing teams.

This position requires approximately 50% travel and may be based in either San Francisco or Los Angeles.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $98,000K - $122,000K per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and functional oversight for sanitation operations across five facilities, ensuring standardization and compliance with all applicable safety, food safety, and environmental regulations.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Sanitation Managers, Supervisors, and Forepersons across all sites. Oversee performance management, talent development, and succession planning. Manage team dynamics in both union and non-union environments, including participation in labor relations matters as needed.

• Collaborate with Operations, QA, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to ensure sanitation efforts support production efficiency, product quality, and compliance.

• Oversee the development, implementation, and auditing of Master Sanitation Schedules (MSS), ensuring effective execution and documentation at each facility.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on sanitation effectiveness, labor efficiency, and chemical usage. Introduce innovative cleaning technologies and automation where applicable.

• Ensure consistent application of SOPs and sanitation policies. Standardize practices across all locations to ensure audit readiness and compliance with company and third-party standards (e.g., SQF, FDA).

• Lead sanitation readiness and participation in internal and external audits, including customer, regulatory, and third-party inspections.

• Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of sanitation activities, inspections, training, corrective actions, and verification activities across all sites.

• Own the execution and adherence to pre-requisite programs (PRPs), including allergen control, environmental monitoring, and cleaning validation/verification.

• Partner with Safety and Food Safety leadership to ensure that all sanitation activities meet or exceed company and regulatory requirements. Provide regular sanitation performance updates to senior leadership, highlighting risks, progress, and resource needs.

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) across facilities, using data to drive decision-making and resource allocation.

• Support capital planning and budget management related to sanitation equipment, infrastructure, and resource planning.

• Lead sanitation training programs across all facilities, promoting a strong food safety culture and ensuring team competency.

• Serve as a cross-functional leader, fostering collaboration and alignment across departments and promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

• Manage relationships with sanitation chemical suppliers, equipment vendors, and contract sanitation providers to ensure quality, safety, and cost effectiveness.

• Support corporate sustainability goals by identifying opportunities to reduce water, chemical, and energy usage in sanitation processes.

Minimum Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in sanitation management, preferably in a food manufacturing environment.

• 3+ years of multi-site leadership experience required.

• Proven success in building and leading high-performing teams across geographically dispersed locations.

• In-depth knowledge of sanitation chemicals, cleaning processes, environmental monitoring, and sanitation equipment.

• Strong knowledge of food safety and regulatory standards including HACCP, GMP, FSMA, SQF, FDA, USDA

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; bilingual (English/Spanish) highly preferred.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with sanitation software, digital audit tools, and ERP systems.

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time across California.

Work Environment

• This role requires frequent time on the production floor in various environments, including night shifts during peak seasons.

• Must be able to work in environments that require wearing PPE and compliance with all safety regulations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk on concrete floors for extended periods of time (up to 8 hours), including in production, warehouse, and sanitation areas.

• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 40 pounds occasionally.

• Must be able to bend, stoop, reach, and climb stairs or ladders as required during facility inspections or sanitation oversight.

• Comfortable working in varying environmental conditions, including cold, hot, humid, or wet areas typically found in food production environments.

• Ability to wear and work in required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including but not limited to safety shoes, gloves, goggles, hearing protection, and respiratory protection.

• Must have the ability to travel frequently (up to 50%) by car and/or air to different facilities across California.

• Visual and auditory acuity necessary to monitor sanitation effectiveness, observe work practices, and participate in training and inspections.

Core Values

All team members must demonstrate a commitment to See's core principles and workplace values, including integrity, commitment, experience, and stewardship in all aspects of their work.

The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, in addition to a full range of generous medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

See's is an EOE

See's will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable local, state or federal law (including San Francisco Ordinance #131192 and Los Angeles Municipal Code 189.00).