Whey Sanitation Operator

Sanitation Technician

This position is responsible for cleaning and sanitation of plant production equipment and facility to achieve the overall sanitation objectives of the whey plant and exceed food safety and quality requirements. This includes execution of wet and dry sanitation processes, operation of Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems, and maintaining sanitation standards in processing and dryer areas.

• Perform cleaning and sanitation of whey plant equipment, processing systems, environment, and drains according to SOPs.
• Operate and verify Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems, including preparation, chemical concentrations, and cycle completion for whey processing equipment (RO, UF, NF systems).
• Assemble and disassemble equipment as needed for proper cleaning and sanitizing following SOPs and Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) requirements.
• Perform wet and dry sanitation, including cleaning of dryer systems, powder handling areas, and removal of product buildup
• Clean facility structures, including overheads, platforms, ducting, handrails, and other areas to maintain audit-ready conditions.
• Safely handle, prepare and use chemicals while wearing proper PPE.
• Complete and maintain appropriate sanitation documentation, including POMs, logs, and verification records to ensure accurate recordkeeping.
• Perform pre-operational inspections to ensure sanitation standards are met prior to production startup.
• Maintain good communication with supervisors and operators to coordinate sanitation activities and ensure safe, sanitary, continuous product flow.
• Identify and report sanitation deficiencies, equipment issues, and food safety risks.
• Assist in improving sanitation effectiveness and operational efficiency through continuous improvement and development of techniques.
• Review sanitation documentation (POMs) to ensure proper sanitation practices are sustained.
• Assist in training of new or untrained employees in area of sanitation.
• Maintain clean and orderly work areas and equipment.
• Maintain good communications with supervisors to ensure a safe, sanitary, continuous product flow and proper maintenance of equipment.
• Actively participate in extraneous prevention and solids recovery.
• Comply with all company safety rules to achieve no injuries and no lost time accidents.
• Understand and adhere to all GMPs and food safety policies and procedures and perform all work in a manner that ensures the highest standard of food safety and quality.
• Attend and/or complete required safety and quality training sessions by the assigned deadlines.
• Fill and manage bulk chemical totes following established safety and handling procedures.

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

This job operates in a factory environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, chemicals, moving mechanical parts and vibration. The noise level in the work environment can be loud.

Please refer to the separate functional job description for this position.

This is a full-time position, and days of work are on an alternating, repeating schedule. Hours of work are 5:00 am – 5:00 pm. This position will work alternating weekends.

No travel is expected for this position.

High school diploma or GED is required for this position. Maintain current forklift certification.

Desire two or more years in a manufacturing facility. More specifically, experience with food grade products is preferred. Bilingual in English/Spanish.

Minimum age requirement is 18.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of responsibilities, duties or tasks that are required of the employee for this job. Responsibilities, duties and tasks may change at any time with or without notice.