Sanitation Associate

Purpose Statement

As a Sanitor at Rich’s Niles plant, you play a vital role in maintaining a safe and sanitary environment that protects our food, our people, and our promise to customers. This is more than a cleaning role—it’s a frontline food safety position with impact. You’ll work hands-on to ensure our production lines meet the highest hygiene and safety standards through routine and deep cleaning of equipment, workspaces, and common areas.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

• Disassemble and reassemble production equipment for sanitation, following SOPs and Master Cleaning Schedules.
• Clean and sanitize equipment using COP (Clean-Out-of-Place) and CIP (Clean-In-Place) systems.
• Maintain accurate records including CIP logs, sanitation inventory, and chemical concentration charts.
• Operate digital monitoring systems and support daily sanitation documentation and compliance.
• Inspect and use validation tools to verify sanitation effectiveness.
• Train peers on sanitation best practices, troubleshooting, and compliance expectations.
• Ensure GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), food safety, and associate safety standards are consistently upheld.
• Support TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) initiatives and participate in cross-functional teams as assigned.
• Take on cross-functional assignments to expand skills and contribute to various plant operations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least 1 year of hands-on experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or sanitation environment.
• Comfortable working in variable conditions—including cold, warm, humid, or wet environments—while remaining focused and productive.
• Flexibility and openness to learning across multiple sanitation and production systems.
• Ability to thrive in a physically active role, including frequent standing, bending, and lifting up to 55 lbs.
• Must wear full PPE—including safety glasses, gloves, apron, steel-toe boots, and wet suit—as required by task and area.
• Must be available to work overtime and flexible hours, including extended shifts or off-days when business needs arise.
• Janitorial, housekeeping, or custodial experience in foodservice or healthcare
• Experience operating floor scrubbers, sanitation tools, or basic machinery
• Understanding of cleaning chemicals and PPE use
• Prior military, warehouse, or fast-paced service work with a focus on safety and process
• Certifications such as OSHA & HAACP
• Entry-level maintenance or facilities experience
• Ability to follow SOPs, maintain records, and troubleshoot basic systems