Pilot Plant Sanitation Lead

Job Description:
Job: Pilot Plant Sanitation Lead
SHIFT: Monday – Friday 8am – 4:30pm
Location: Thompson's Station, TN
Job Overview
The Pilot Plant Sanitation Lead (B4) executes business-essential operational and hygiene tasks critical to the success of R&D innovation trials and daily pilot plant operations. By owning and driving the site’s Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS), waste handling, and pest control programs, this role ensures reliable, compliant, and efficient operations locally and in support of Mars global initiatives.
Operating at the vital intersection of R&D innovation, Quality Management System (QMS), and site safety standards (HSE), you will ensure that all equipment, processing environments, and finished trial products strictly adhere to Mars food safety and quality benchmarks before leaving the facility.
Responsibilities
Manage the pilot plant's master sanitation schedule (MSS), waste, and pest control
Clean and sanitize equipment/machinery and plant facility according to good manufacturing (GMP) and sanitation practices (SSOPs).
Direct contractors and associates on weekly sanitation tasks
Train site associates on the correct equipment and facility sanitation practices
Develop and update sanitation standard operating procedures
Execute corrective and preventative continuous improvement projects
Support key stakeholders, such as Q&FS and HSE departments
Provide quality control for pilot plant produced finished product and ensure all products leaving the site are food safe
Responsible for always maintaining associate safety and food safety in the Pilot Plant
Use creativity and innovation to solve mechanical or organizational problems
Flexible to ever-evolving pilot plant demands
Performs other tasks as assigned
Education & Professional Qualifications
Minimum Education: High School Diploma or Vocational School degree with significant relevant food production/sanitation experience; OR
Preferred Education: Associate degree (AA/AS) or Bachelor’s degree (BS) in Science (Chemistry, Food Science, Physics, Analytical Chemistry) or Technology (Engineering Technology).
Required Experience: 3 years in sanitation role and at least 1 year of leadership experience preferred
Demonstrated technical understanding of food manufacturing machinery, processing equipment, and sanitary teardown/assembly. Have a High school diploma, GED or equivalent education
Sanitation & Food Safety: Hands-on experience with food processing GMP standards, industrial equipment/facility sanitation, sanitation chemicals, and basic laboratory testing methods.
Audit Readiness: Attention to detail with the capability to participate in and support HSE and QA internal/external audits.
Digital & Technical Literacy: Comfortable utilizing digital tools (tablets, iPads, computers) and standard enterprise applications (email, electronic timekeeping, calendars, and digital shift logs).
Equipment Certification: Ability to obtain and maintain an active Mars forklift operator certification.
Ability to stand, bend, and move actively for 8+ hours during a 10-hour shift.
Ability to regularly lift and handle equipment, parts, and materials weighing up to 50 lbs.
Flexibility to navigate dynamic pilot plant trial schedules, including end-of-week sanitation rotations.
What can you expect from Mars?
Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
About Mars, Incorporated
Mars is a family-owned business with over a century of history, making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN’S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.