Sanitation Worker 1st Shift

Woodland Gourmet; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 25,485 - 31,684; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental

Vision

401k with company match

Paid holidays and paid time off

Job summary

Woodland Gourmet is seeking a dedicated sanitation technician to maintain cleanliness of plant production equipment and facilities, ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, and worker safety standards.

You will perform general sanitation, breakdown and reassembly of equipment, washdowns, and interior area cleaning while following GMP and SSOP guidelines and using appropriate PPE. The role requires teamwork and reliable execution in a fast‑paced production environment.

Qualifications

• Speak English; bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
• Prior sanitation and equipment breakdown experience preferred.
• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Basic tool knowledge and mechanical skills required.
• Food manufacturing experience is a plus; GMP compliance expected.

Responsibilities

• Perform sanitation cleaning per SOPs and quality requirements.
• Breakdown and reassembly of manufacturing equipment.
• Washdown and/or dry-clean equipment as specified by SSOP.
• Clean interior production and non-production areas.
• Identify safety hazards and assist cross-functional teams.
• Operate bailers, riding scrubbers, and scissor lifts safely.
• Comply with GMPs and use PPE; follow safety guidelines.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Sanitation experience

Basic tool knowledge

Mechanical skills

Production/Warehouse experience

GMP compliance

Safety awareness

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

PPE usage

Job description

Travel: As needed according totheessential functions of position

Department:Sanitation

JOB PURPOSE:

The primary role ofsanitation is cleaning the plant production equipment and facilitiesto meet food safety, customer quality, and worker safetyrequirements.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Performgeneral sanitationcleaningduties based on the current SOPs, procedures, and quality requirements
• Breakdownand reassembly ofmanufacturing equipment
• Washdown equipment or dry-clean as specified per the SSOP
• Interior infrastructure cleaning of production and non-production areas
• Assistinidentifyingsafety hazards, areas, and equipment requiring non-routine attention
• Communicate and workcross-functionallywith other departments to meetthe goal at hand
• Participate in major project work,including dust collection system cleanouts,deep cleaning ofwarehouse and production areas
• Safelyoperatebailers, ridingscrubbers,and scissorlifts
• Able to work from heights of 20 feet using scissor lifts
• Ensure all equipment is clean and passespre-operating inspection
• Comply withall food safety and quality assurance standards(GMP
• Ensurecleaning chemicalsare usedper work instructionsand dispensed safely
• Follow all safety guidelines and useappropriate PersonalProtective Equipment (PPE)
• Maintainthe Production areaclean and audit-ready
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned, including janitorial tasks,including washrooms, trash/waste removal, and facility groundskeeping activities

Qualifications/Requirements

• BilingualEnglish/Spanish a plus.
• Priormachinebreakdownand sanitation experience preferred
• High School diploma or GEDpreferred
• Mustdemonstratebasic tool knowledge and basicmechanicalskills
• Production and/or Warehouse experience desirable, food manufacturing a plus
• Canfrequentlymove or lift to55lbs (55lbs-65lbs team lift)
• Must follow allGMPsand workconsistentlywith all food safety, quality,andsanitationrequirements

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to read and write English
• Must be able to add, subtract, multiply,and divide
• Abilityto 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 independentlyandas 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 tomanufacturing and warehouse areas that, under certain conditions, may require the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to chemical safety protocols.

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.This role does not allow for remote work.

Works inamanufacturing environment

Exposure to dust, odors,and noise

Use of cleaning chemicals

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.

Woodland Gourmet hires exceptional people to perform a wide variety of important functions that contribute to the success of our organization. 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 the incentive program terms and conditions). Based on your qualifications, previous experience, and transferable skills, the company will determine, at its discretion, the hourly rate offered and will reflect the 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 & identify theft), 401k with company match, paid family leave, paid holidays and paid time off.

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.E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to government records to confirm employment eligibility. For more information on E-Verify and your rights, please visit theE-Verify website.

Woodland Gourmet assures equal employment opportunity in all its hiring and employment policies and practices. This includes 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.