Sanitation Worker 1st Shift

Woodland Foods; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 26,174 - 31,684; Full time

Job summary

Woodland Gourmet in Illinois is seeking a Sanitation Worker to clean plant production equipment and facilities to meet food safety and worker safety standards. The role involves performing sanitation tasks per SOPs, breaking down and reassembling equipment, and maintaining sanitation records in a GMP environment.

You will operate cleaning equipment, assist with major projects, and support cross-functional teams to keep production areas audit-ready.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
• Forklift experience a plus.
• Must demonstrate basic tool knowledge and basic mechanical skills.
• Production and/or Warehouse experience desirable, food manufacturing a plus.
• Flexibility to work overtime, including weekends, required.
• Can frequently move or lift to 55lbs (55lbs-65lbs team lift).
• Must follow all GMPs and work consistently with all food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform general sanitation cleaning duties based on the current SOPs, procedures, and quality requirements.
• Break down and reassembly of manufacturing equipment.
• Wash down equipment or dry-clean as specified per the SSOP.
• Interior infrastructure cleaning of production and non-production areas.
• Assist in identifying safety hazards, areas, and equipment requiring non-routine attention.
• Communicate and work cross-functionally with other departments to meet the goal at hand.
• Participate in major project work, including dust collection system cleanouts, deep cleaning of warehouse and production areas.
• Safely operate bailers, riding scrubbers, and scissor lifts.
• Able to work from heights of 20 feet using scissor lifts.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping of daily Sanitation documentation.
• Ensure all equipment is clean and passes pre-operating inspection.
• Comply with all food safety and quality assurance standards (GMP).
• Ensure cleaning chemicals are used per work instructions and dispensed safely.
• Follow all safety guidelines and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Maintain the Production area clean and audit-ready.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned, including janitorial tasks, including washrooms, trash/waste removal, and facility groundskeeping activities.

Skills

English literacy

Communication

Teamwork

Safety-minded

Mechanical skills

Forklift experience

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift

Job description

Job Title: Sanitation Worker

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Department Manager or Lead

Supervises: N/A

Travel: As needed according to the essential functions of position

Department: Sanitation

JOB PURPOSE

The primary role of sanitation is cleaning the plant production equipment and facilities to meet food safety, customer quality, and worker safety requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform general sanitation cleaning duties based on the current SOPs, procedures, and quality requirements
• Break down and reassembly of manufacturing equipment
• Wash down equipment or dry-clean as specified per the SSOP
• Interior infrastructure cleaning of production and non-production areas
• Assist in identifying safety hazards, areas, and equipment requiring non-routine attention
• Communicate and work cross-functionally with other departments to meet the goal at hand
• Participate in major project work, including dust collection system cleanouts, deep cleaning of warehouse and production areas
• Safely operate bailers, riding scrubbers, and scissor lifts
• Able to work from heights of 20 feet using scissor lifts
• Ensure accurate record-keeping of daily Sanitation documentation
• Ensure all equipment is clean and passes pre-operating inspection
• Comply with all food safety and quality assurance standards (GMP)
• Ensure cleaning chemicals are used per work instructions and dispensed safely
• Follow all safety guidelines and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Maintain the Production area clean and audit-ready
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned, including janitorial tasks, including washrooms, trash/waste removal, and facility groundskeeping activities

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
• Prior machine breakdown and sanitation experience preferred.
• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Forklift experience a plus.
• Must demonstrate basic tool knowledge and basic mechanical skills.
• Production and/or Warehouse experience desirable, food manufacturing a plus.
• Flexibility to work overtime, including weekends, required.
• Can frequently move or lift to 55lbs (55lbs-65lbs team lift).
• Must follow all GMPs and work consistently with all food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Ability to read and write English.
• Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Ability to prioritize and learn quickly.
• Good verbal and written communication.
• Able to manage a variety of tasks at the same time with rapidly changing priorities.
• Must be reliable, a self-starter and safety-minded.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Possess a sense of urgency and attention to accuracy and detail.
• Strong organizational skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Regularly required to sit, stand, walk and frequently bend and move about the facility. Must be able to climb ladders and maneuver in small spaces.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

The performance of this position requires exposure to manufacturing and warehouse areas that, under certain conditions, may require the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to chemical safety protocols.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This position does not allow for remote work.

• Works in a manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to dust, odors, and noise.
• Use of cleaning chemicals.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

We offer a competitive compensation package with benefits. The estimated hourly salary range for this role is $18.50–23. This position is eligible for an annual bonus (based on incentive program terms and conditions). The hourly rate offered will be determined, at its discretion, based on qualifications, previous experience, and transferable skills, reflecting market conditions and cost of living for your geographic location.

Our benefits program is designed to support our team in leading healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. We deeply value the contributions of our team members and are committed to offering a competitive total compensation package. Additionally, we offer medical, prescription drug plans, dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, vision insurance, flexible spending account, health savings account, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance program, voluntary benefits (hospital, critical illness, personal accident, legal and identity theft), 401(k) with company match, paid family leave, paid holidays and paid time off.

E-VERIFY PROGRAM

Woodland Gourmet is a participant in the federal E-Verify program. As part of the hiring process, we will verify the information provided on your Form I-9 to confirm your eligibility to work in the United States. For more information on E-Verify and your rights, please visit the E-Verify website.

EEO STATEMENT

Woodland Gourmet assures equal employment opportunity in all its hiring and employment policies and practices. These include all aspects of employment such as recruiting, hiring, promotions, transfers, demotions, layoffs or terminations, compensation, benefits, training, company-sponsored education, social and recreational programs or events, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. These policies and practices are administered without regard to legally protected categories such as race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation or sexual orientation, pregnancy status or medical conditions related to childbirth, and/or any other factor protected by law.