Sanitation Production Operator

White Castle; Kentucky; Hybrid; USD 55,778,000 - 75,464,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly paychecks

Shift premium

Health benefits

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

White Castle in Kentucky is seeking a Sanitation/Production Operator to maintain a clean, pest-free, FDA-compliant facility and to support bun production through sanitation, safety, and quality processes.

You will operate equipment, follow SOPs, and participate in HACCP/GMP programs while working with a collaborative team to meet daily production goals.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Ability to operate equipment and function efficiently on production lines.
• Strong interpersonal and professional demeanor with willingness to learn.
• Knowledge of production, sanitation, quality and safety.
• Good verbal and written communication; team oriented.
• Understand safe lifting practices and all safety rules.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of HACCP, SSOP, GMPs and FDA regulations.
• Willing to complete on-the-job training.

Responsibilities

• Clean and sanitize food processing equipment according to SOPs.
• Facility cleaning of equipment, floors, walls, and overheads.
• Handle, mix, and use chemicals per label directions and SDS.
• Conduct and document pest control checks.
• Maintain dough quality and safety for bun development.
• Act as final checker for dough balls and quality defects.
• Bag and box baked buns for palletizing and shipment.
• Enter finished product data into the warehouse system and barcode.
• Operate forklift safely.
• Follow food safety procedures in sanitation and production.
• Comply with GMPs, SQF, HACCP and safety policies.
• Communicate professionally with customers and colleagues.
• Flexible hours including shifts, overtime, weekends, and holidays.

Skills

Equipment operation

Sanitation

Quality assurance

Safety procedures

Communication

HACCP knowledge

GMP knowledge

OSHA training

On-the-job training

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift operation

Job description

Description:

When what you Crave is a job that combines creative, challenging and ever-changing work with an experienced, inclusive team committed to create memorable moments every day, only White Castle hits the spot!

We’re America’s first fast-food hamburger chain with more than a century of service to a nation of Cravers. But we’re not satisfied with an impressive past. We’ve got our eye on an even tastier future, and we want you to be part of it!

The Sanitation/Production Operator must maintain a clean and pest free facility that is compliant with FDA regulations. The position is responsible for the sanitation of the building and grounds of the facility and for following set standards and practices to produce a quality baked White Castle bun. The duties include, but are not limited to equipment and facility cleaning, pest control, using safety procedures and being qualified annually for special duties by OSHA standards, machine operation, quality assurance, safety, Good Safety, GMP’s, and fork truck operations. The incumbent is expected to perform related duties assigned by management, which may be added, revised, or eliminated based on business and operational needs, with or without advance notice. Sanitation/Production Operators must follow the direction and guidance of the Lead Operator, Assistant Operations, Operations Supervisor on duty and QA/Sanitation Supervisor.

What we’re looking for:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required;

• Possess the skill to know how each piece of equipment operates and be able to function efficiently in any of the production line positions which is acquired through observation and hands‑on experience;

• Good interpersonal and human relations skills with ability to maintain a positive professional demeanor accepting responsibility and willingness to learn;

• Knowledge, training, and experience with production, sanitation, quality, and safety;

• Must have good verbal & communication skills, be team oriented and work well with others, give, and receive direction, and follow clear and detailed instructions;

• Understand and follow safe lifting practices, all safety rules, and the lockout program;

• Efficiently work and respond in a fast‑paced environment to meet operational demands;

• Good understanding of HACCP, SSOP, GMPs, and knowledge of FDA regulations; and

• Ability to successfully complete on‑the‑job training.

Your day‑to‑day:

• Clean and sanitize food processing equipment according to established Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures;

• Responsible for facility cleaning, including equipment, floors, walls, and overheads;

• Appropriately handle, mix, and use chemicals according to label directions and SDS sheets;

• Conduct and accurately document pest control checks;

• Follow established mixing and extruding procedures, as well as maintain quality and food safety standards, to produce consistent dough and dough pieces for development of the White Castle bun;

• Act as a final checker to ensure that the dough balls are properly panned and free of quality and food safety defects;

• Bag and box all good quality baked White Castle buns for palletizing and shipment;

• Accurately enter finished product information into the electronic warehouse management system, accurately barcode finished product, safely place product in freezer for selection and shipment by the shipping department;

• Sort through bad corrugated cartons for re‑use in the box former;

• Ability to function efficiently in any of the production and packaging positions;

• Proficiency in operating a forklift;

• Follow established food safety procedures and rules while working in sanitation and in production to ensure compliance;

• Abide by all company safety rules, Good Manufacturing Practices, SQF and HACCP programs;

• Comply with incident reporting policies and procedures;

• Ensure adherence to plant’s security and safety policies and procedures, and a safe working environment for all Team Members;

• Communicate effectively with customers and all levels of the organization in a professional manner, display a positive demeanor and be responsive to a team members’ needs; and

• Flexible working hours to meet the needs of the plant, including any shift, overtime, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to bend, turn, twist, climb, and stoop;

• Occasional lifting up to 60 lbs. and frequent lifting up to 45 lbs.;

• Aptitude to work in an environment with frequent exposure to extreme cold, wetness, heat, reduced visibility, dust, flour dust, and other elements;

• Able to tolerate working with chemicals, pesticides, general purpose cleaners, sanitizers, and degreasers;

• Possess the skill to work in confined spaces and climb to elevate heights;

• Must wear safety gear including safety glasses, hearing protection, hair & beard nets, slip resistant shoes, waterproof boots, and other various types of safety gear supplied by the company;

• Frequent periods of standing, and walking; and

• Proficiency to hear, comprehend, and professionally respond to co‑worker inquiries, comments, and concerns.

Why you’ll like it here:

Being family‑owned and operated since 1921 comes with its perks, and we’re not just talking about benefits (while those are pretty great). It means putting people first, thinking for the long‑haul, and creating a place where team members feel supported, valued, and empowered to grow. Here’s just a few ways we invest in our team:

• Weekly paychecks

• Shift premium

• Employee Assistance Program, tuition reimbursement, and scholarship opportunities

• Comprehensive Health Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)

• Financial security with contributions to your 401(k) Retirement Plan and Profit‑Sharing Plan

• Company paid Life Insurance and AD&D

• Sick pay

• Bereavement pay

• Paid Holiday & Vacation

• Paid Breaks

• Promote from within practice

• Incentive programs

• And more!!

Pay rate: $22.87 per hour

White Castle is an Equal Opportunity Employer

White Castle will, upon request, offer a reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or any applicable state or local law. Should you need assistance with completing this application or with any other part of the application process, please contact Team Member Services at [e-mail].

Company Information:

At White Castle, a job can become so much more than a paycheck. It can grow into a lasting and meaningful career. For more than 100 years, we've believed what our founder, Billy Ingram, said best: "Happy employees make happy customers." It is a philosophy that's guided us for generations and continues to shape how we support our team members today.

Along the way, our Original Slider® was named as Time Magazine’s "Most Influential Burger of All Time," we were recognized as one of Fast Company's "10 Most Innovative Dining Companies," and have earned Great Place To Work Certification™ every year since 2021, and an honoree on the Fortune Best Workplaces in Retail™ list since 2022.

If this sounds like your kind of place, we’d love to hear from you.