Sanitation Team Lead

Position Summary

The Sanitation Team Lead oversees the day-to-day activities of the sanitation crew, ensuring that all cleaning and sanitizing work is completed safely, on schedule, and to required health and hygiene standards. Working alongside the team, the Lead assigns tasks, verifies quality, enforces safety and chemical-handling procedures, and serves as the first point of contact for the crew. The role combines hands-on sanitation work with supervision, training, and coordination in environments that include cold and wet spaces and routine chemical exposure.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Coordination

• Assign daily tasks and cleaning zones to the sanitation crew and monitor progress against the schedule.
• Lead by example, performing hands-on cleaning and sanitizing duties alongside the team as needed.
• Coordinate shift start-up, breaks, and hand-offs to ensure coverage and continuity.
• Act as the first point of contact for the crew, resolving day-to-day issues and escalating as appropriate.

Quality & Compliance

• Inspect completed work to confirm cleanliness and sanitation standards are met; direct re-cleaning where required.
• Ensure chemicals are measured, mixed, and applied according to label directions, dilution ratios, and safety data sheets (SDS).
• Enforce all health, safety, and sanitation regulations, including WHMIS and site-specific procedures.
• Maintain accurate cleaning logs, inspection records, checklists, and shift documentation.
• Support audits and inspections and help implement corrective actions.

Training & Safety

• Train new and existing crew members on cleaning procedures, equipment operation, and safe chemical handling.
• Ensure PPE is available, worn correctly, and maintained by all team members.
• Identify and report safety hazards, equipment malfunctions, and supply shortages promptly.
• Monitor inventory of cleaning supplies and equipment and request replenishment as needed.

Qualifications

Required

• Legally eligible to work in Canada.
• Previous experience in sanitation, janitorial, cleaning, or facility maintenance, including some lead, senior, or supervisory experience.
• Working knowledge of cleaning chemicals, equipment, and sanitation standards.
• Strong communication and organizational skills; able to direct and motivate a team.
• Able to follow and enforce written and verbal instructions, safety procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Physically able to perform the demands of the role (see Physical Requirements below).

Preferred

• WHMIS certification (or willingness to complete training upon hire).
• Experience in a commercial, industrial, or food-related sanitation environment.
• Familiarity with scheduling, inspections, and basic reporting or record-keeping.

Working Conditions

• Regular work in cold and wet environments, including refrigerated or damp spaces.
• Routine exposure to cleaning agents, sanitizers, and industrial chemicals; safe handling and PPE use are mandatory.
• Exposure to noise, odours, steam, and slippery surfaces.
• May work early mornings, evenings, overnights, weekends, or holidays depending on the site schedule.
• Fast-paced environment with defined cleaning windows and deadlines, and responsibility for crew output.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and reach for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, push, and pull up to [25 kg / 50 lbs] and handle equipment safely.
• Manual dexterity to operate cleaning tools and equipment.
• Ability to tolerate temperature changes and prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions.
• Ability to wear PPE, including gloves, boots, eye protection, and protective clothing, throughout the shift.

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