Sanitation Lead

Northwest Frozen is seeking a dependable, safety-focused Sanitation Lead to oversee overnight cleaning and sanitation operations at our Kent warehouse and Des Moines production facility. This role leads a small sanitation crew, ensures equipment and facilities are properly cleaned and sanitized between production runs, and helps maintain the food safety standards our products depend on.

This is a hands-on leadership role. The Sanitation Lead will perform cleaning tasks alongside the team, assign and check work, maintain the Master Sanitation Schedule, verify pre-operational readiness, and communicate directly with Production and QA to keep the plant running safely and on schedule.

About Us

Northwest Frozen manufactures and ships high-quality frozen and fresh sushi, along with fresh ready meals, soups, dumplings, and other prepared foods. We're proud to be the largest sushi and kimbap manufacturer in North America. We take food safety, quality, and consistency seriously in everything we do.

What You'll Do

• Lead and coordinate the overnight sanitation crew, assigning tasks and verifying work is completed thoroughly and on time
• Clean, sanitize, and disassemble/reassemble production equipment, processing lines, tools, and utensils according to established procedures
• Maintain and follow the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) for daily, weekly, and periodic cleaning tasks
• Conduct and document pre-operational inspections (pre-op) to verify equipment and work areas are clean and ready before production start-up
• Safely select, mix, and apply cleaning chemicals and sanitizers according to labels, SDS, and company procedures
• Train sanitation team members on proper cleaning procedures, chemical safety, and food safety practices
• Inspect and maintain sanitation equipment (foamers, hoses, CIP systems, floor scrubbers, etc.) and report maintenance needs
• Support allergen changeovers and verify allergen cleaning procedures are followed correctly
• Complete and maintain accurate sanitation logs, checklists, and chemical usage records
• Communicate sanitation status, delays, or issues to Production, QA, and Maintenance teams at shift handoff
• Ensure compliance with GMPs, food safety standards, OSHA/chemical safety requirements, and company policies
• Maintain clean, organized, and properly labeled chemical storage and sanitation supply areas
• Assist with internal, customer, and third-party food safety audits as needed
• Perform hands-on cleaning duties alongside the team, especially during high-volume or short-staffed periods

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in a sanitation, cleaning, or food production role, with prior lead or supervisory experience preferred
• Working knowledge of GMPs, food safety principles, and sanitation best practices; HACCP or sanitation certification a plus
• Experience safely handling and mixing industrial cleaning chemicals and sanitizers
• Ability to read and follow chemical labels, SDS sheets, and written sanitation procedures
• Familiarity with different classes of cleaning and sanitizing chemicals used in food production (e.g., alkaline/caustic cleaners, acid cleaners, degreasers, quat and chlorine-based sanitizers) and when each is appropriate
• Understanding of proper dilution rates, contact times, and rinse requirements for different chemicals and surfaces
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform frequent standing, walking, bending, climbing, and repetitive cleaning tasks
• Comfortable working in wet, cold, refrigerated, and freezer environments for extended periods
• Reliable attendance and flexibility to work overnight hours, weekends, and occasional overtime as business needs require
• Basic ability to complete written logs, checklists, and electronic records

Ideal Candidate

• 2+ years of experience in food manufacturing sanitation, with direct experience leading or training a small team
• Experience with Master Sanitation Schedules, pre-op inspections, and allergen changeover procedures
• Solid working knowledge of cleaner and sanitizer chemistry and how to match the right product to the surface, soil type, or equipment
• Strong attention to detail and a genuine safety-first, food-safety-first mindset
• Comfortable giving clear direction and holding a team accountable to a nightly cleaning schedule
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus

Schedule

Two Sanitation Lead positions are available:

• Position 1: Monday - Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
• Position 2: Friday - Sunday, 4:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
• Overnight sanitation shift, cleaning between production runs so lines are ready for the next shift
• Applicants should be available to work the full schedule for their assigned position

What We Offer You

• Pay: $25-$30 per hour, depending on experience, including overnight shift differential*
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance
• Stable, steady work with a growing food manufacturer
• A leadership role with real ownership over sanitation quality and outcomes
• Team-focused environment where safety, reliability, and accuracy matter