The Senior CIP Systems Supervisor leads the strategic operation, optimization, and compliance of Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems across food or beverage production lines. This role is responsible for plant-wide sanitation effectiveness, cross-functional collaboration, and driving continuous improvement in hygienic operations. The supervisor ensures that all CIP procedures meet FDA, USDA, FSMA, and internal food safety standards while mentoring teams and guiding plant sanitation strategy.
Lead the operation and oversight of CIP systems used to clean tanks, pipelines, HTST units, fillers, and other process equipment.
Develop, document, and improve CIP programs, ensuring cycle effectiveness, equipment compatibility, and validated sanitation outcomes.
Supervise sanitation teams, CIP operators, or utility technicians across multiple shifts or lines.
Monitor system performance and troubleshoot issues involving chemical concentrations, flow rates, cycle timing, and temperature profiles.
Partner with QA, Maintenance, and Engineering to validate CIP systems and support compliance during audits and inspections.
Champion continuous improvement projects that optimize chemical usage, water consumption, cycle duration, and cleaning effectiveness.
Maintain accurate sanitation documentation, chemical logs, and compliance records aligned with GMP and HACCP standards.
Train team members on SOPs, safety protocols, food safety, and sanitary design principles.
Participate in new equipment commissioning and review designs for CIP compatibility and sanitary best practices.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Microbiology, or a related technical discipline preferred.
Certifications in HACCP, PCQI, or Sanitary Equipment Design are strongly preferred.
Experience:
5–8+ years in sanitation or CIP operations within the food, beverage, dairy, or pharmaceutical industries.
Experience supervising personnel and managing large-scale CIP systems in a regulated plant environment.
Technical Skills:
Expertise in CIP technology, including chemical dosing, PLC-controlled systems, CIP skids, flow control, and instrumentation.
In-depth knowledge of sanitary design, 3-A standards, FDA/USDA compliance, and food safety protocols.
Strong ability to read and interpret P&IDs, automation interfaces, and system performance data.
Leadership & Soft Skills:
Proven leadership of sanitation/CIP teams with a focus on performance, training, and compliance.
Skilled in root cause analysis and corrective action planning for sanitation-related issues.
Clear communication and documentation skills for cross-functional collaboration and audit readiness.
Commitment to continuous improvement, safety, and operational excellence.