CIP & Sanitation Specialist

Essential Job Functions: Track and trend CIP chemical concentrations and review PLC data from Process and Filling to monitor performance against established requirements for time, temperature, conductivity/chemical concentration, flow, pressure, sequence, and other applicable parameters. Compile, review, and maintain accurate CIP documentation, including logs, audit records, validation and verification records, training records, process-change documentation, and supporting records required for traceability and audit readiness. Collaborate with Scheduling and Production managers on production schedules and CIP planning. Audit CIP execution across production lines and shifts to verify approved procedures and operating parameters are being followed; identify, document, and escalate deviations, abnormal conditions, or inconsistent practices to Quality, Production, Maintenance, or other appropriate leadership. Follow up on CIP-related corrective actions to verify identified issues have been addressed and sustained. Participate in and support CIP validations, with a goal of completing or supporting at minimum one validation per production line quarterly; prepare validation documentation, collect data, perform observations, compile results, and maintain validation and verification records. Work with QA technicians to verify required swabs, visual inspections, and other cleaning verification activities are completed; assist with reviewing microbiological, ATP, allergen, visual inspection, or other applicable results and support equipment release verification following CIP activities. Work collaboratively with Quality, Sanitation, Production, Maintenance, and other departments to help resolve recurring CIP, hygiene, and sanitation findings identified through audits or verification activities. Audit the condition, availability, storage, and location of cleaning equipment and supplies; support maintenance of the facility cleaning-equipment map, communicate damaged or unsuitable equipment conditions, and support maintenance requests and preventive maintenance activities as appropriate. Work closely with the EHS Coordinator, Quality leadership, and the facility's chemical provider to support the cleaning and sanitation chemical program, including chemical performance monitoring, provider audit follow-up, chemical labels and tags, chemical-use procedures, supplier visits, testing, troubleshooting, and review of proposed chemical changes. Support the EHS Coordinator with chemical storage, segregation, dispensing, labeling, secondary labeling, Safety Data Sheet availability, and employee chemical-safety practices. Chemical safety program ownership remains with the appropriate EHS and management personnel. Track and monitor pumps, motors, and other CIP-related equipment and instrumentation, including conductivity meters, temperature instruments, flow meters, pressure instruments, chemical dosing systems, VFDs, level instruments, and valve feedback systems; report unusual readings, inconsistent operation, or suspected failures that may affect CIP performance. Create or support maintenance service requests for CIP-related equipment concerns, assist Maintenance in identifying recurring problems, communicate issues to Production and Quality, and support verification that required cleaning activities are completed following maintenance work. Maintain working knowledge of plant CIP circuits, skids, tanks, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, process piping, fillers, and return systems; assist with maintaining CIP circuit maps and participate in system walkthroughs with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, chemical suppliers, and equipment suppliers. Support troubleshooting of CIP circulation, dosing, temperature, conductivity, flow, return conditions, poor drainage, trapped product, equipment damage, or other observable conditions that could affect cleaning effectiveness. Maintain the CIP skid process-change log and support implementation, documentation, testing, and verification of approved changes affecting CIP programs, equipment, piping, instrumentation, chemicals, or operating procedures. Carry out assigned CIP-related portions of equipment or process improvement projects and support commissioning or startup activities when CIP systems are affected. The role is not responsible for hygienic or sanitary design approval but may carry out and support approved modifications or improvement activities. Participate in selected product trials when additional CIP observation or cleaning verification is requested; document CIP performance, support approved product changeover verification activities, and escalate new-product, ingredient, allergen, or changeover concerns to Quality and Food Safety leadership. The position does not independently establish product sequencing, allergen-cleaning requirements, or changeover strategy. Assist with spoilage, microbiological, sanitation, contamination, commercial sterility, or unexpected CIP investigations by gathering and reviewing CIP records, sanitation records, maintenance information, PLC data, chemical information, and other relevant information; assist with documenting findings and corrective actions and escalate food-safety decisions to Quality and Food Safety leadership. Support CIP training for employees responsible for performing, monitoring, or documenting CIP activities and sanitation-related training as requested by Quality, EHS, Sanitation, Production, or other plant leadership; maintain training materials, observe CIP execution, provide coaching on established procedures, and help identify recurring training needs from audit findings. Assist with developing and updating procedures related to CIP operation, CIP verification, chemical use, and cleaning documentation; periodically compare written procedures to actual plant practices and identify inconsistencies. Maintain basic CIP performance trends and support continuous improvement activities led by Quality, Production, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, chemical suppliers, or other technical personnel by collecting and organizing data used to evaluate recurring issues, corrective actions, and approved improvements. Basic performance measures may include CIP completion and parameter compliance, deviations, failed or interrupted cycles, repeat CIP frequency, chemical concentration consistency, cycle duration, cleaning verification failures, repeat audit findings, CIP-related maintenance issues, validation completion, and training completion. The position is not responsible for owning a complex plant-wide sanitation KPI program or independently leading major continuous improvement initiatives. Support FDA, USDA, Organic, Kosher, SQF/GFSI, customer, and other applicable regulatory and certification requirements related to CIP and sanitation verification; assist with audit preparation, participate in audits as requested, and support corrective actions resulting from CIP- or sanitation-related findings. Work independently while collaborating with Production, Scheduling, Maintenance, Engineering, Sanitation, Quality Assurance, Food Safety, EHS, Procurement, chemical providers, equipment manufacturers, and other appropriate partners; provide observations and data when schedules, equipment conditions, or process changes may impact CIP performance. Promote consistent CIP practices and shared ownership of food safety across all shifts. Support departments responsible for sanitation without assuming direct ownership of their sanitation activities.

Physical Requirements: Ability to stand, sit, walk, bend, reach, climb, twist, and use hands and fingers frequently.

Environmental Requirements: Work primarily in food manufacturing and warehousing environments with variable walking requirements, temperatures, noise levels, wet conditions, operating equipment, and cleaning activities. Secondary work is performed in a climate-controlled office environment. Required use of facility-designated personal protective equipment.

Education, Training & Experience: Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, food Science, or related field preferred; may consider substitution with a high school diploma or equivalent and substantial 8+ years of relevant food manufacturing/CIP experience. Minimum 3 years of food or beverage manufacturing experience. Minimum 3 years of CIP, sanitation, quality, or related manufacturing experience. Aseptic processing and packaging knowledge, particularly Tetra Pak Aseptic, preferred. Experience with Clean-in-Place systems and cleaning chemistry. Experience working with processing and cleaning equipment including pumps, valves, tanks, sanitary piping, filling systems, or chemical dosing equipment. Experience interpreting PLC-generated CIP data, automated processing records, or equipment trends desired. Experience in an FDA-, USDA-, SQF/GFSI-, HACCP-, or similarly regulated food manufacturing environment.

Certifications: Preferred or Attain Upon HireHACCP Certified. Better Process Control School (BPCS), as applicable to facility products and processes. Applicable safety training or certification. Ecolab University training. Tetra Pak APOOM or other applicable Tetra Pak aseptic operations training. Additional CIP, food safety, chemical safety, or aseptic processing training as appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Working knowledge of CIP principles, including the relationship between time, temperature, chemical concentration, and mechanical action. General understanding of cleaning chemistry used in food and beverage manufacturing. Ability to read and interpret conductivity, temperature, flow, pressure, pump/VFD, and similar operating data. Ability to review and interpret basic PLC-generated CIP data. Strong observation and troubleshooting skills. Ability to identify trends and recognize unusual operating conditions. Strong organizational and documentation skills. Ability to follow written procedures and identify when actual practices differ from documented requirements. Ability to communicate effectively with operators, technicians, supervisors, managers, suppliers, and technical personnel. Ability to train and coach employees on established procedures. Proficiency with computer applications used for spreadsheets, documentation, trending, and communication. Ability to work independently while contributing as part of a larger Quality and Food Safety team. The employee must follow all applicable company safety, chemical-handling, Lockout/Tagout, food safety, GMP, and personal protective equipment requirements.

Work Schedule & Compensation: Full-Time, Hourly / Non-Exempt. Overtime eligible in accordance with company policy and applicable federal and state law. Standard schedule is generally based on a 40-hour workweek. The position supports a three-shift manufacturing operation. Periodic overtime, off-shift, weekend, early-morning, or extended-hour work may be required to observe CIP activities, perform validations, support investigations, complete audits, provide training, or troubleshoot CIP issues. Regular interaction with employees and operations across multiple shifts is required.