Sanitation Technician - 3rd Shift $17/hr plus $0.75 Shift Differential

Butterball Farms, Inc.; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Flexible Spending

Job summary

Butterball Farms, Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI is seeking a dedicated Sanitation Associate to maintain clean, compliant production areas.

You will disassemble and reassemble equipment, sanitize surfaces, and verify cleanliness to support food safety and quality. The role offers training, a collaborative team environment, and a comprehensive benefits plan including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Sanitation experience preferred, but training will be provided for the right candidate.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and work in a cold production environment.

Responsibilities

• Cover all electrical boxes and equipment before beginning the cleaning process.
• Safely and properly disassemble production equipment.
• Rinse equipment to remove all remaining raw materials and product residue.
• Properly apply foam, soap, and scrub the equipment.
• Sanitize equipment using appropriate sanitation methods and chemicals.
• Reassemble equipment back to its original state.
• Check for and remove any moisture present in pipes and on ceilings.
• Meet USDA and company sanitation standards using designated chemicals, foam machines, brushes, water hoses, etc.
• Use 5S principles to organize the work area.
• Sanitize floors using appropriate chemicals and products, and squeegee excess water into waste drains.
• Understand the impact of the Sanitation Team’s work on microbial counts and overall product cleanliness.
• Verify equipment cleanliness after the sanitation cycle by checking that swab results are within acceptable limits.

Skills

Basic math

Hand-eye coordination

Process adherence

Team player

Reading instructions

Flexible schedule

Writing ability

Hi-Lo operation

Cross-training

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Hi-Lo forklift

Job description

Join a Mission That Matters – Enrich Lives with Butterball® Farms

At Butterball® Farms, we’re more than a butter manufacturer — we’re a company built on purpose. For over 60 years, we’ve partnered with some of the world’s leading food brands to create innovative, value-added butter products that bring flavor and quality to millions of tables. But our impact goes beyond what we make — our mission is simple: to Enrich Lives, inside and outside our walls.

Recognized as one of West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

What We Offer

• Opportunities for Growth & Advancement
  • Build your career in an environment that encourages development, accountability, and internal promotion.
• High-Performance Culture
  • Join a workplace where we challenge each other to grow, think differently, and deliver our best — every shift, every day.
• Inclusive & Supportive Environment
  • We celebrate diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect. Every voice matters.
• Competitive Pay & Shift Premiums
  • Additional premiums for 2nd and 3rd shift roles.
• Comprehensive Benefits Plan
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Critical Illness, Flexible Spending, Dependent Care, and Accident Insurance.
• Paid Time Off & Holidays
  • Because rest and balance make us stronger.
• 401(k) with Company Match
  • Invest in your future while you help us build ours.
• Tuition Reimbursement & Continuous Learning
  • Grow your career with educational support.
• Community Connection
  • Access The Source for resources, financial counseling, and family services — supporting the whole you.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Confidential support for personal, family, or work-related matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Cover all electrical boxes and equipment before beginning the cleaning process
• Safely and properly disassemble production equipment
• Rinse equipment to remove all remaining raw materials and product residue
• Properly apply foam, soap, and scrub the equipment
• Sanitize equipment using appropriate sanitation methods and chemicals
• Reassemble equipment back to its original state
• Check for and remove any moisture present in pipes and on ceilings
• Meet USDA and company sanitation standards using designated chemicals, foam machines, brushes, water hoses, etc.
• Use 5S principles to organize the work area
• Sanitize floors using appropriate chemicals and products, and squeegee excess water into waste drains
• Understand the impact of the Sanitation Team’s work on microbial counts and overall product cleanliness
• Verify equipment cleanliness after the sanitation cycle by checking that swab results are within acceptable limits

Requirements

Education / Certificates / Licenses / Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Previous Sanitation experience preferred, but not required willing to train the right individual.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Basic math skills (addition and subtraction)
• Strong hand-eye coordination
• Ability to consistently follow processes and standard work instructions
• Effective team player with strong communication skills
• Ability to read and understand written instructions
• Flexibility with work schedule to accommodate high production volumes
• Basic writing ability to complete necessary paperwork
• Ability to safely operate a Hi-Lo and use a manual hand jack
• Willingness to cross-train and assist in other processing areas as needed

Equivalent combinations of education and experience that demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered on an individual basis.

Essential Physical Requirements

• Continuous (67–100% of the time):
  • Seeing
  • Lifting
  • Reaching
  • Standing
  • Repetitive hand motions
• Frequent (33–66% of the time):
  • Kneeling
  • Grasping
  • Talking
  • Hearing
  • Walking
  • Driving
  • Bending at the waist
  • Twisting upper body
• Occasional (Up to 33% of the time):
  • Stooping
  • Crouching
  • Pushing
  • Additional reaching
• Physical Effort
  • Frequent lifting and carrying of up to 10 lbs
  • Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of up to 50 lbs
  • Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of up to 20 lbs
  • Occasional pushing, and pulling of up to 100 lbs

Working Environment

This position is located in a production/processing environment, which may involve:

• Cold temperatures ranging from 45°F with occasional exposure to freezer environments as low as -10°F
• Exposure to manufacturing equipment and machinery
• Standing and working on concrete floors for extended periods
• Fast-paced, physically demanding tasks in a team-oriented setting
• Adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and safety protocols

DISCLAIMER:

The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by the employee within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of any employee assigned to this job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Butterball Farms, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO/AA).