James Sipkema
Wayland,MI
Summary
Sanitation Lead with 19+ years of experience ensuring FDA-compliant food safety and leading sanitation teams across multi-facility operations. FSMA PCQI-certified and skilled in environmental monitoring, SOP development, audit readiness (AIB, SQF), and vendor management to maintain continuous production availability and reduce changeovers. Proficient in continuous improvement, hygienic design evaluations, and SAP/Excel-driven scheduling and cost-control, seeking to apply operational leadership to enhance sanitation efficiency and audit performance.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Sanitation Lead
Hearthside Foods Solutions
Kentwood, MI
05.2025 - Current
- Supervised sanitation processes to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
- Trained team members on proper cleaning techniques and equipment usage.
- Worked closely with quality assurance teams to ensure all products met or exceeded established cleanliness standards.
- Coordinated daily tasks and schedules for the sanitation team, maximizing productivity while minimizing downtime in production areas.
- Managed inventory of cleaning supplies and chemicals, ensuring availability when needed for efficient operations.
- Maintained a safe work environment by promptly addressing any identified hazards or concerns.
- Demonstrated excellent problem-solving skills by quickly identifying issues within the workspace that may have compromised cleanliness standards or posed potential health risks.
- Conducted regular audits of sanitation practices to identify areas for improvement.
- Developed and implemented sanitation schedules to optimize workflow efficiency.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance overall operational effectiveness.
- Monitored inventory levels of cleaning supplies and ordered as needed to maintain operations.
- Led initiatives to reduce waste and improve sustainability in sanitation practices.
- Provided mentorship and guidance to junior staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Led training in sanitation and cleaning practices.
- Developed a strong understanding of company-specific requirements and standards for sanitation, leading to consistently high-quality results.
- Increased team efficiency by providing training on proper sanitation practices to all staff members.
- Stored chemicals in compliance with [Name] regulations.
- Played an integral role in passing industry inspections by maintaining rigorous sanitation standards throughout the facility.
- Facilitated communication between the sanitation department and management teams on matters relating to hygiene or safety concerns affecting daily operations within the facility.
- Collaborated with other departments to develop comprehensive sanitation protocols, resulting in improved overall facility hygiene.
- Conducted routine audits of sanitation practices within the facility, ensuring adherence to guidelines and maintaining a clean environment at all times.
- Improved workplace cleanliness by implementing effective sanitation procedures and guidelines.
- Delegated assignments and verified work quality and completion according to facility and regulatory standards.
- Reduced risk of contamination through regular monitoring and cleaning of production areas.
- Optimized cleaning processes by evaluating effectiveness, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing necessary changes.
Sanitation Manager
Hearthside Foods Solutions
Grand Rapids, MI
10.2024 - 05.2025
- Developed and implemented sanitation protocols to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
- Trained and supervised sanitation staff, fostering a culture of cleanliness and safety.
- Conducted regular inspections to identify areas for improvement in sanitation practices.
- Collaborated with production teams to minimize downtime during cleaning processes.
- Streamlined waste management procedures, enhancing efficiency of disposal operations.
- Led initiatives to reduce water usage in sanitation processes while maintaining standards.
- Analyzed sanitation data to develop strategies for continuous improvement in hygiene practices.
- Conducted thorough investigations into any reported incidents related to sanitation or cleanliness issues within the facility, ensuring swift resolution.
- Maintained detailed records of all sanitation activities in accordance with regulatory requirements and company policies.
- Reduced waste production by introducing recycling initiatives and proper waste management practices.
- Collaborated with quality assurance teams to address any sanitation concerns promptly, upholding high standards of cleanliness throughout the facility.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams on projects aimed at improving overall facility conditions and promoting a clean working environment.
- Provided guidance to employees on proper personal hygiene practices to reduce the spread of illness within the workplace.
- Completed schedules, shift reports, and other business documentation.
- Trained and supervised staff on best practices for cleaning and sanitation procedures.
- Conducted regular inspections of facilities to identify areas for improvement in hygiene standards.
- Established training programs focused on safety and sanitation for new hires and existing staff.
- Increased employee knowledge in hygiene practices by providing comprehensive training programs for staff members.
- Implemented pest control measures, eliminating potential contamination risks caused by pests.
- Contributed to a positive company culture by fostering a safe, clean, and pleasant working environment for all employees.
- Streamlined sanitation processes through the development of efficient cleaning schedules and procedures.
- Assisted in developing company policies regarding sanitation practices, aligning with industry guidelines for best results.
- Conducted regular audits of sanitation processes, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions as needed.
Sanitation Lead
Hearthside Foods Solutions
Kentwood, MI
07.2007 - 10.2024
- Managed eleven team members which included daily scheduling, training, performance assessments and talent recruitment.
- Verified sanitation compliance according to FDA food safety standards.
- Sanitation points of contact for customer and third-party audits.
- Reviewed production schedules and standardized cleaning requirements.
- Monitored environmental monitoring program for three facilities including determination of sampling sites, sampling frequencies and review of certificate of analysis results from the laboratory.
- Developed and maintained a comprehensive cleaning matrix to promote production scheduling efficiency and drive cost savings.
- Performed extended run time assessments to reduce sanitation changeovers and increase production line availability.
- Reviewed and approved sanitation standard operating procedures.
- Point of contact for pest control vendor and chemical supplier.
- Supervised sanitation team to ensure compliance with safety and hygiene standards.
- Developed and implemented sanitation procedures to enhance operational efficiency.
- Trained staff on proper cleaning techniques and use of sanitation tools and chemicals.
- Conducted regular inspections of equipment and facilities for cleanliness and safety adherence.
- Collaborated with production teams to coordinate sanitation schedules without disrupting workflow.
- Monitored inventory levels of cleaning supplies and placed orders as needed for timely restocking.
- Ensured documentation accuracy for sanitation activities, supporting regulatory compliance efforts.
- Led root cause analysis to identify areas for improvement in sanitation practices and processes.
- Led training in sanitation and cleaning practices.
- Increased team efficiency by providing training on proper sanitation practices to all staff members.
- Developed a strong understanding of company-specific requirements and standards for sanitation, leading to consistently high-quality results.
- Played an integral role in passing industry inspections by maintaining rigorous sanitation standards throughout the facility.
- Stored chemicals in compliance with [Name] regulations.
- Facilitated communication between the sanitation department and management teams on matters relating to hygiene or safety concerns affecting daily operations within the facility.
- Collaborated with other departments to develop comprehensive sanitation protocols, resulting in improved overall facility hygiene.
- Trained and mentored team members on effective sanitation practices and procedures.
- Oversaw sanitation processes, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Coordinated daily tasks and schedules for the sanitation team, maximizing productivity while minimizing downtime in production areas.
- Worked closely with quality assurance teams to ensure all products met or exceeded established cleanliness standards.
- Conducted routine audits of sanitation practices within the facility, ensuring adherence to guidelines and maintaining a clean environment at all times.
- Improved workplace cleanliness by implementing effective sanitation procedures and guidelines.
- Maintained a safe work environment by promptly addressing any identified hazards or concerns.
Education
High School Diploma -
Wayland Union High School
Wayland, MISkills
- FSMA PCQI Certified
- Internal Auditing Certified
- Licensed Pesticide Applicator
- Certified Asbestos Abatement
- Hygienic Design Evaluations
- Supplier Evaluations
- Continuous Improvement Implementation
- Proficient in Excel, Word, Power Point, SAP etc
Timeline
Sanitation Lead
Hearthside Foods Solutions
05.2025 - Current
Sanitation Manager
Hearthside Foods Solutions
10.2024 - 05.2025
Sanitation Lead
Hearthside Foods Solutions
07.2007 - 10.2024
High School Diploma -
Wayland Union High School