Sanitation/Packaging Line Operator – Dry Powder Division

Fortress Nutrition; New Berlin (WI); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO Package with Carryover Option

9 Paid Holidays Per Year

Medical, Dental & Vision

HSA Option with Quarterly Company Con·

401(k) with company match

Life, AD&D, Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Referral Bonuses

Job summary

Fortress Nutrition is seeking a reliable, detail-oriented Sanitation / Packaging Line Operator to support our Dry Powder operations in a dual role. You will perform sanitation duties after production and support packaging line operations during active production, ensuring food safety and proper packaging.

Schedule is 1st shift, Monday–Friday, 6:00 AM–2:30 PM with overtime/weekend pay. Starting pay is $20.00–$22.00 per hour, with full benefits and opportunities to grow.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 1+ year of experience in industrial sanitation with equipment cleaning.
• Knowledge of GMPs, SSOPs, and food safety practices.
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English.
• Willingness to work overtime and weekends as needed.

Responsibilities

• Perform complete wet cleaning of dry powder blending and packaging equipment after production runs.
• Clean equipment, floors, and surfaces; remove debris and residue.
• Disassemble, sanitize, reassemble machines and food-contact surfaces.
• Scrub equipment and hard-to-reach areas; use food-grade cleaners properly.
• Rinse thoroughly to prevent contamination and allow air drying.
• Set up, operate, and maintain packaging equipment (filler, sealer, detectors).
• Perform quality checks and document results in real time per GDPs.
• Raise sanitation issues or equipment faults promptly to leadership.
• Complete sanitation logs, checklists, and documentation accurately.

Skills

Sanitation

Attention to detail

English (reading/writing)

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Packaging equipment

Sanitation equipment

Job description

Fortress Nutrition is growing—and we’re looking for a reliable, detail-oriented Sanitation / Packaging Line Operator to support our Dry Powder operations. This is a dual-role position, where you will perform critical sanitation duties following production runs and support packaging line operations during active production.
This role is essential to maintaining food safety, preventing cross-contamination, and ensuring equipment and production areas are properly cleaned and ready for the next run. You will also ensure products are packaged accurately, safely, and efficiently to meet our quality and customer specifications before heading to consumers!
Schedule: 1st Shift | Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM

• Overtime and weekends may be required based on production needs; weekends paid at DOUBLE PAY

What You’ll Do

• Sanitation Responsibilities (as needed):

• Perform complete wet cleaning of dry powder blending and packaging equipment following production runs
• Remove debris, dust, and product residue from equipment, floors, and surfaces prior to cleaning
• Disassemble, deep clean, sanitize, and reassemble machinery and food-contact surfaces
• Manually scrub equipment, complex parts, and hard-to-reach areas to ensure thorough cleaning
• Use food-grade chemicals and sanitation equipment following proper procedures
• Rinse and ensure all cleaning agents are fully removed to prevent contamination
• Allow equipment to air dry to avoid recontamination
• Clean and sanitize full processing areas, including floors, walls, and contact surfaces
• Follow all GMPs, SOPs, and SSOPs to ensure compliance with food safety standards
• Identify and report any sanitation issues, equipment damage, or contamination risks immediately
• Complete all required sanitation logs, checklists, and documentation accurately

Packaging Line Operator Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, and maintain packaging equipment (filler, sealer, x-ray, metal detector, scale, coder, etc.)
• Make adjustments to equipment to ensure product and packaging meet specifications
• Perform quality checks, including visual inspections, seal integrity, coding accuracy, and weight verification
• Complete all documentation (MMRs) accurately and in real time following Good Documentation Practices (GDPs)
• Act with a strong sense of urgency to quickly address equipment faults, errors, or slowdowns
• Follow all safety procedures, GMPs, and sanitation requirements at all times
• Communicate production concerns to leadership promptly for resolution
• Support team operations through overtime as needed
• Perform all other duties as assigned by leadership

Required

What We’re Looking For

• High School Diploma or GED
• 1+ year of previous experience in an industrial sanitation role, with experience cleaning equipment/machinery following production runs
• Strong understanding of food safety practices, including proper use of cleaning chemicals on food-grade equipment to prevent contamination
• Working knowledge of GMPs, food safety standards, and sanitation procedures, including safe handling of chemicals and awareness of allergen exposure (e.g., dairy, soy, etc.), cross-contamination, etc.
• Ability to work in environments with exposure to food allergens (e.g., dairy, soy), dust and wet conditions
• Ability to perform basic shop math
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English
• Reliability, accountability, and strong work ethic
• Ability to work overtime/weekends as needed

Must operate with a high sense of urgency, attention to detail, and accountability. This role requires strict adherence to sanitation and food safety standards. Failure to properly clean equipment or follow procedures can result in contamination risks and production delays.

Preferred

• Experience operating packaging equipment in a manufacturing environment
• Experience in sanitation, food manufacturing, or packaging operations in food, dietary supplement, or pharmaceutical or other regulated/controlled working environments
• Knowledge of GMPs, food safety, and sanitation procedures
• Experience working with industrial cleaning equipment and chemicals, and understanding of water only cleaning

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods (up to 10 hours per shift)
• Frequent lifting, pushing, pulling up to 50lbs
• Regular use of hands to finger, grasp, pinch, touch, or operate equipment/controls, and handle materials/objects
• Bending, kneeling, climbing (stairs/platforms), and operating machinery
• Ability to work at heights (mezzanine or scissor lift up to 20 feet)

Work Environment

• Exposure to dust, dry powder, and wet processes
• Exposure to food allergens (e.g., dairy, soy, etc.)
• Climate-controlled facility; optional PPE (such as dust masks) available but not required

Pay & Benefits

• Starting Pay: $20.00-$22.00 per hour, with higher starting rates offered based on experience and qualifications*
• Double Time Pay for 50+ hours/week + any weekend work

Benefits Include

• PTO Package with Carryover Option
• 9 Paid Holidays Per Year
• Medical, Dental & Vision (Affordable Family Coverage)
• HSA Option with Quarterly Company Contributions
• Company-Paid Life, AD&D, Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) with strong company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Referral Bonuses
• …and more!

Ready to Apply?

Please ensure your resume is up to date. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Fortress Nutrition is an Equal Opportunity Employer.