Nichols Farms is one of the top processors of pistachios in the United States. For more than two decades, Nichols Farms has maintained superior quality and exceptional service in supplying pistachio and almond products to major retail and wholesale clients domestically and internationally. Nichols Farms maintains a state-of-the-art processing facility at their corporate headquarters in Hanford, California, employing over 350 employees. Join the Nichols Farms Team in their objective of continued growth. Nichols Farms possesses a strong employee-oriented environment dedicated to training and growth of team members.

The Nichols Farms Mission and Vision support a culture of striving for mutual success of our employees, suppliers and customers through operational excellence and educational development.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Sanitation Lead is a hands-on frontline leadership role responsible for supporting daily sanitation operations while actively working alongside the team. This position ensures all sanitation work is completed safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with company policies, food safety programs, OSHA regulations, and applicable laws.

The Sanitation Lead provides direction, coordination, and real-time support to team members while reinforcing accountability, safety, and performance standards. In the absence of the Sanitation Supervisor, this role serves as the lead point of contact on the floor, helping guide the team, maintain workflow, and ensure continuity of operations and communication.

This role is critical to maintaining a clean, safe, and audit-ready facility.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead by example in promoting a "Safety First" culture, following all safety procedures including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and Confined Space requirements.
• Serve as acting lead in the absence of the Sanitation Supervisor, providing direction, maintaining workflow, and supporting team decision-making.
• Partner with the Supervisor to coordinate daily sanitation activities by assigning tasks, setting priorities, and actively leading from the floor to ensure timely and effective completion of all sanitation duties.
• Perform sanitation duties while ensuring all work is completed safely, correctly, efficiently, and on time.
• Provide clear and effective shift pass-downs to ensure strong communication between shifts and leadership.
• Support and reinforce compliance with GMPs, SSOPs, food safety standards, and company sanitation procedures.
• Assist in training team members in sanitation processes, chemical handling, safety procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Monitor sanitation activities, identifying issues and taking prompt corrective action when needed.
• Conduct routine walk-throughs of equipment and work areas to ensure cleanliness, compliance, and proper operation.
• Submit and follow up on maintenance work orders for equipment issues or repairs.
• Ensure accurate completion of required documentation, including sanitation logs, SSOP checklists, and Safety Chain records.
• Oversee proper chemical handling, dilution, labeling, and SDS compliance.
• Maintain and track inventory of sanitation chemicals and supplies, and communicate supply needs to prevent shortages.
• Keep team members informed of daily priorities, changes, and expectations.
• Safely operate and ensure proper use of sanitation and facility equipment, including forklifts, aerial lifts, tractors, and floor scrubbers, in accordance with safety standards.
• Communicate with management and team members when issues arise, providing practical, timely solutions to correct problems and prevent recurrence during sanitation activities.
• Assist supervisors by providing real-time updates on work progress, operational issues, and team needs.
• Ensure all instructions are communicated clearly, respectfully, and professionally, both in person and over two-way radio.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, and accuracy.
• Support Lean initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Identify opportunities to improve sanitation processes, efficiency, and overall effectiveness.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

JOB ATTRIBUTES:

• Safety Focus: Consistently promotes and follows safe work practices.
• Lead by Example: Works alongside the team and sets the standard for performance and accountability.
• Leadership & Accountability: Provides direction, reinforces expectations, and supports team performance.
• Communication: Clear, respectful, and effective communication across all levels, including radio use
• Time & Task Management: Effectively prioritizes and adjusts to meet operational demands.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures sanitation execution and documentation accuracy.
• Problem Solving: Identifies issues, takes action, and escalates when necessary.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, changing environment
• Teamwork: Builds a cooperative and respectful work environment
• Continuous Improvement: Actively identifies and supports process improvements.

Continuous Improvement & Knowledge Resource

• Actively contributes ideas to improve sanitation processes and efficiency.
• Supports updates and improvements to SSOPs and sanitation standards.
• Identifies gaps and follows through on corrective actions.
• Maintains strong working knowledge of sanitation procedures and serves as a resource for team members.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in sanitation or a similar role
• Strong working knowledge of GMPs, SSOPs, and sanitation procedures
• Proven ability to work hands-on while supporting team coordination and workflow.
• Ability to communicate effectively and escalate issues appropriately.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in Sanitation processes and procedures is preferred.
• Knowledge of pest control is a plus or ability to learn concepts and practices.
• Forklift experience a plus or ability to become certified to operate forklifts, aerial lifts, and tractors within 30 days of hire.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.
• Computer knowledge is a plus or the ability to learn ERP and computer systems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand for periods of time at workstation, climb stairs, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception. Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as designated by the company.

Most of the role is performed in a manufacturing environment which may include high levels of noise. Working conditions can include extreme cold, heat, or humidity. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.

EOE/M/F/D/V