Kitchen Sanitation Specialist

Socket.dev; Graham (NC); On-site; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Alamance Foods Inc. in Graham, NC is seeking a Kitchen Sanitation Specialist for AFI Labs. The role maintains cleanliness, sanitation, organization, and facility readiness across culinary and R&D spaces, equipment, and storage.

You will follow sanitation procedures, use approved cleaners, prevent cross-contamination, and support resets for events. Strong attention to detail, reliability, and the ability to work independently are essential; bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Qualifications

• Experience in commercial kitchen sanitation or related field.
• Strong attention to detail and reliability.
• Ability to work independently.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and deep cleaning throughout AFI Labs according to sanitation standards.
• Clean and sanitize food contact surfaces, worktables, counters, floors, and equipment.
• Maintain high sanitation standards across kitchens, storage, and common areas.
• Follow approved cleaners, sanitizers, chemicals, and safety procedures.
• Prevent cross-contamination via proper tool and material separation.
• Dispose of waste properly and maintain cleaning and storage areas.
• Support facility resets after events and periods of high activity.
• Monitor supplies and communicate replenishment needs.

Skills

Kitchen sanitation

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Bilingual

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: DC6 DLine - Graham, NC, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $18.00Hourly, Job Shift: Day Shift | 8AM - 5PM

Position Summary

The Kitchen Sanitation Specialist is responsible for maintaining exceptional cleanliness, sanitation, organization, and facility readiness throughout AFI Labs. This role supports the full facility, including culinary and R&D kitchens, bakery, café and beverage areas, sensory spaces, equipment and storage areas, common spaces, and other assigned environments. The position requires strong commercial kitchen sanitation practices, attention to detail, reliability, and the ability to work independently. Because AFI Labs regularly hosts customers, executives, business partners, and other visitors, this individual must also demonstrate a positive professional presence, discretion, sound judgment, and respect for the environment and the people working within it.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform routine and deep cleaning throughout AFI Labs according to established sanitation standards and schedules.
• Clean and sanitize food contact surfaces, worktables, counters, sinks, floors, walls, doors, shelving, cabinetry, fixtures, and other assigned surfaces.
• Maintain high sanitation standards across food preparation, testing, production, sensory, customer, storage, and common areas.
• Clean and sanitize commercial culinary, bakery, beverage, and food processing equipment according to established procedures and equipment requirements.
• Use approved AFI Labs cleaners, sanitizers, chemicals, tools, cloths, brushes, and sanitation materials for their designated applications.
• Follow required chemical concentrations, contact times, labeling, storage, handling, and safety procedures.
• Prevent cross-contamination through proper sanitation practices and separation of cleaning tools and materials.
• Collect and properly dispose of food waste, general waste, cardboard, packaging, shipping materials, and receiving waste.
• Maintain waste collection, sanitation supply, and cleaning storage areas in a clean and orderly condition.
• Support cleaning and facility resets following food preparation, product development, customer visits, presentations, special events, and periods of increased activity.
• Monitor sanitation supplies and communicate replenishment needs before supplies are depleted.
• Identify and promptly communicate sanitation, equipment, or facility conditions requiring additional attention.
• Recognize and address cleaning needs proactively without requiring continuous direction.
• Adjust priorities as AFI Labs activities and operational needs change.

Professional Conduct and Presence

Maintain a positive, respectful, cooperative, and service-minded attitude. Conduct yourself professionally around customers, executives, employees, suppliers, and business partners. Receive instructions, feedback, and changes in priorities professionally and respond appropriately. Exercise discretion around customer projects, product development activities, meetings, conversations, and confidential information. Use good judgment and situational awareness when cleaning around meetings, presentations, customer activities, and active work areas. Demonstrate pride, ownership, dependability, and care in the appearance and condition of AFI Labs.

Qualifications

Experience in commercial kitchen sanitation, foodservice sanitation, food manufacturing sanitation, institutional foodservice, hospitality, or a comparable environment preferred. Working knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment and appropriate cleaning and sanitation practices. Understanding of food safety, chemical handling, sanitation, and cross-contamination prevention. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately. Ability to work independently, organize assigned responsibilities, and maintain established standards without continuous supervision. Strong attention to detail, organization, time management, and adaptability. Dependable attendance and reliable transportation required. Bilingual English and Spanish communication skills preferred but not required.

Schedule Requirements

This position requires flexibility based on AFI Labs operational needs. Occasional early morning, evening, and weekend availability is required to support customer visits, special events, facility resets, and periods of increased activity.

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift, carry, move, and position items weighing up to 40 pounds. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods. Frequent bending, reaching, kneeling, crouching, and repetitive movement. Ability to safely climb stairs and approved ladders. Ability to work safely around commercial kitchen and food processing equipment. Ability to safely handle approved commercial cleaning chemicals and sanitation products. Ability to perform detailed cleaning at floor level, overhead, behind equipment, and in other areas requiring physical access.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Alamance Foods Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons because of age, race, color, creed, religion, disability, gender, ethnic or national origin, or veteran status. Alamance Foods Inc. prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and will reasonably accommodate applicants with a disability, upon request, and will also ensure reasonable accommodation for employees with a disability.

Employment Eligibility

Alamance Foods Inc. participates in the federal E-Verify program. All employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a Form I-9 and verification of authorization to work in the United States.