Position Summary
The Sanitizer I is responsible for cleaning, sanitizing, and preparing manufacturing equipment, tanks, utensils, and production areas in accordance with company procedures, Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), and FDA requirements. This role plays a critical part in maintaining product quality, preventing contamination, and ensuring the safe production of cosmetic, personal care, and home care products.
The Sanitizer I must perform all cleaning and sanitation activities accurately, safely, and consistently while maintaining detailed documentation and compliance with regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, safety-focused, and capable of working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with minimal supervision.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Equipment Cleaning & Sanitation
- Clean and sanitize manufacturing equipment, tanks, utensils, hoses, transfer equipment, and production areas following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Ensure all equipment is properly cleaned and ready for production use.
- Perform manual and automated cleaning processes as required.
- Inspect equipment and components for cleanliness, damage, wear, and operational readiness.
- Notify supervision of damaged equipment, maintenance concerns, or sanitation issues.
- Maintain strict compliance with sanitation standards designed to prevent cross-contamination and product quality issues.
Compliance & Documentation
- Follow Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), FDA regulations, company policies, and sanitation procedures.
- Complete cleaning logs, sanitation records, equipment documentation, and other required paperwork accurately and timely.
- Maintain Good Documentation Practices (GDP) standards.
- Ensure all sanitation activities are properly documented and traceable.
Safety Responsibilities
- Follow all Health, Safety, Environmental, and company safety requirements.
- Become proficient in Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and safely perform equipment isolation activities.
- Utilize all required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Follow confined space and tank entry procedures when required.
- Report safety concerns, incidents, equipment failures, and hazards immediately.
Housekeeping & Facility Support
- Maintain a clean, sanitary, and organized work environment.
- Perform general housekeeping duties including sweeping, mopping, drain cleaning, waste disposal, and cleaning of sanitation areas.
- Support continuous improvement efforts related to sanitation and workplace organization.
- Assist with maintaining compliance in all manufacturing and compounding areas.
Teamwork & Communication
- Work closely with Compounding, Production, Quality, and Maintenance departments to ensure equipment availability and production readiness.
- Communicate schedule conflicts, equipment concerns, and sanitation issues to supervisors.
- Support departmental goals for safety, quality, productivity, and compliance.
- Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Minimum 1 year of experience in a manufacturing, sanitation, janitorial, or production environment.
- Basic understanding of manufacturing equipment and sanitation processes.
- Ability to read and follow written procedures and work instructions.
- Basic mathematical skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and cleanliness.
- Good attendance and reliability.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in cosmetics, personal care, pharmaceutical, food, or other FDA-regulated manufacturing environments.
- Experience working with cGMP requirements.
- Experience performing industrial equipment cleaning and sanitation.
- Basic mechanical aptitude and familiarity with manufacturing equipment.
- Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office applications.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, climb, and reach for extended periods.
- Ability to work in wet, humid, and sometimes hot environments.
- Ability to safely enter and work inside tanks and confined spaces when required.
- Ability to wear PPE including gloves, eye protection, respirators, and protective clothing as required.
- No sensitivities or allergies that would prevent safe handling of cleaning chemicals or use of PPE.
Work Environment
- Fast-paced manufacturing and compounding environment.
- Frequent exposure to water, cleaning agents, sanitation chemicals, and manufacturing ingredients.
- Work performed around tanks, mixers, processing equipment, and production machinery.
- Moderate to heavy forklift and material handling traffic.
- Moderate noise levels and industrial working conditions.
- Regular interaction with Production, Compounding, Quality, Warehouse, and Maintenance personnel.