Assistant QA-Hygiene, Sanitation & Compliance at Vert

About the Role 

• The Assistant QA – Hygiene, Sanitation & Compliance is an operational role responsible for executing and monitoring all food safety, hygiene, and sanitation systems within the production area.  This role ensures that all cleaning protocols, allergen management, and environmental monitoring meet internal specifications and certification standards (e.g., BRC, FSSC 22000, HACCP).

Key Responsibilities 

Hygiene & Sanitation Execution

• Perform pre-operational and post-operational sanitation inspections for all processing equipment's and facility surfaces.
• Validate effectiveness of cleaning protocols using ATP swabbing, visual inspection, and microbiological surface sampling.
• Maintain and calibrate sanitation monitoring equipment (ATP meters, pH meters for detergent verification, temperature probes for rinse water).
• Monitor and record sanitation critical control parameters, chemical concentrations, contact times, water temperatures, and line dryness before production start-up.
• Coordinate with production teams to ensure proper segregation of production cleaning zones to prevent cross-contamination.

Compliance & Documentation

• Maintain the master sanitation schedule and verify daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning tasks of the production lines and facilities are completed and signed off.
• Collect and prepare environmental samples (swabs, air plates, water samples) for third-party testing as per the environmental monitoring plan.
• Ensure all sanitation records of CIP logs, chemical usage, pest control service reports, humidity, temperature checks are completed accurately and filed for traceability.
• Maintain controlled documents such as Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), chemical safety data sheets, and master cleaning checklists.

Audits & CAPA

• Conduct internal GMP and hygiene compliance audits against BRC Food Safety Standard (Issue 9) and FSSC 22000 requirements, focusing on zoning (high/low hygiene areas) and allergen control in the production areas. 
• Assist in preparation for external audits by compiling sanitation validation records, environmental monitoring trend data, and chemical usage logs.
• Initiate Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) for sanitation failures (e.g. pest sightings, improper chemical storage).
• Investigate root causes of hygiene-related deviations and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) with the sanitation team.

Training & Culture

• Deliver targeted training to production and sanitation staff such as, GMPs, proper chemical handling, allergen sanitation steps, and personal hygiene.
• Maintain training records for all food handlers, ensuring certifications (HACCP, Internal Auditor, Chemical Safety) are current.
• Promote a culture of “clean-as-you-go” on the processing floor through daily engagement and spot checks.

Supplier & Raw Material Support

• Inspect incoming raw materials for visible soil, mold, or foreign matter that could impact sanitation effectiveness.
• Document and report non-conformances related to packaging materials that may introduce hygiene risks.

Qualifications & Competencies:

• Diploma /bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of direct experience in a quality assurance or technical role within food processing industry.
• Hands-on experience with wet/dry sanitation protocols, CIP systems, and environmental monitoring programs.
• Direct experience preparing for or participating in BRC, FSSC 22000, or HACCP audits is highly preferred.
• Proven ability to understand and apply chemical safety data, sanitation validation principles, and zoning concepts.
• Proficiency with ATP swabbing and rapid hygiene monitoring tools.
• Ability to interpret microbiological results.
• Strong record-keeping discipline
• Problem-solving skills for recurring sanitation challenges