Position Summary
The Sanitation Technician is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing equipment, utensils, production areas, and facility surfaces in accordance with GMPs, SSOPs, SQF requirements, and company sanitation procedures. This position helps ensure a clean and hygienic manufacturing environment that supports food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Cleaning & Sanitation
- Perform daily cleaning and sanitation of production equipment and utensils.
- Clean floors, walls, drains, worktables, conveyors, mixers, and packaging equipment.
- Follow Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS).
- Disassemble and reassemble equipment for proper cleaning when required.
- Remove food residues, dust, allergens, and waste from production areas.
- Verify equipment is visually clean before release to production.
Chemical Handling
- Prepare cleaning and sanitizing chemicals according to approved concentrations.
- Perform sanitizer concentration checks when required.
- Safely store and label sanitation chemicals.
- Follow all SDS requirements and chemical safety procedures.
- Report damaged or leaking chemical containers immediately.
Food Safety & GMP Compliance
- Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
- Wear required PPE.
- Prevent cross-contamination during sanitation.
- Follow allergen cleaning procedures.
- Maintain sanitary conditions throughout the facility.
- Report any food safety concerns immediately.
Documentation
- Complete sanitation logs accurately.
- Record chemical concentrations when required.
- Document corrective actions if cleaning was not completed successfully.
- Notify QA/QC or FSQA of sanitation issues requiring verification.
Equipment Care
- Inspect sanitation tools before use.
- Use the correct color-coded cleaning tools for designated areas.
- Report damaged equipment or tools.
- Store sanitation equipment properly after use.
Facility Responsibilities
- Empty trash and waste containers.
- Maintain clean employee welfare areas as assigned.
- Clean warehouse and storage areas according to schedule.
- Assist with periodic deep cleaning projects.
- Support pest prevention by maintaining clean conditions.
Required Qualifications
- Associate's degree preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
Must Have
- Frequently lift up to 50 pounds
- Stand and walk for extended periods
- Bend, kneel, reach, and climb ladders as needed
- Work around cleaning chemicals
- Ability to work in warm, cold, wet or dusty environments
- Ability to follow written procedures
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Teamwork
- Safe chemical handling
- Ability to follow SSOPs
- Understanding of sanitation verification
- Basic mechanical aptitude
- Ability to work independenly
- Good communication skills
Nice to have
- High school and diploma or equivalent preferred
- Manufacturing or sanitation experience preferred
- Basic understandig of food safety preferred
Performance Expectations
- The Sanitation Technician is expected to:
- Complete all assigned sanitation tasks on schedule.
- Maintain accurate sanitation records.
- Follow all GMP and food safety requirements.
- Achieve acceptable ATP verification results.
- Maintain equipment in sanitary condition.
- Support successful SQF, customer, USDA, and FDA inspections.
- Demonstrate safe work habits at all times.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- 100% completion of assigned sanitation tasks.
- ATP pass rate meeting company requirements.
- No missed sanitation records.
- No chemical concentration deviations.
- Timely completion of Master Sanitation Schedule.
- Zero GMP violations related to sanitation.
- Positive audit observations for sanitation effectiveness.
Work Environment
- This position works in a dry food manufacturing facility producing spices, seasonings, and marinades. Exposure to cleaning chemicals, food dust, noise, and production equipment is expected. Appropriate PPE must be worn at all times, and all company food safety, SQF, FDA, OSHA, and GMP requirements must be followed.