Nextlevel Executive Search

Sanitation Manager - Food ManufacturingSan Diego, CAApply for this jobQUALITY ADVISORSouthern California, CA | Exempt |REPORTS TOVP of OperationsLOCATIONSan Diego, CAROLE SUMMARYA 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 RESPONSIBILITIESProgram 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 roadmapsFood 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 eventsPerformance 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 prioritiesOperational 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 processesCross-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 operationsQUALIFICATIONS 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 preferredWORK 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 neededBENEFITSThe 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 opportunitiesNextLevel Executive Search | Food & Beverage Manufacturing LeadershipCrystal Lake, IL | ernie nlesearch.com