Clean-in-Place Sanitation Operator

Day in the Life

As a Clean-in-Place Sanitation Operator, you’ll be the behind-the-scenes expert who keeps our food production environment spotless, safe, and ready for flawless runs. Your work ensures product quality and regulatory compliance every single shift.

What You’ll Do

• Assemble and take apart processing equipment following manufacturer instructions to enable thorough cleaning and sanitizing.
• Run the CIP (clean-in-place) system to sanitize tanks, lines, and equipment with precision.
• Perform basic preventive maintenance on product-contact parts—gaskets, seals, O-rings, plates—aligned to the Master Sanitation Schedule.
• Document key sanitation parameters: cleaning cycle times, chemical concentrations, flow rates, heat-up temperatures, and sanitizer strengths.
• Handle plant housekeeping: floors, walls, ceilings, vents, lights, and equipment exteriors.
• Conduct pre-op checks on pumps, valves, agitators, alcoves, clamps, and other product-contact surfaces before start-up.
• Collect sanitation-related samples required for Quality Assurance testing.
• Complete all paperwork neatly, legibly, accurately, and fully—capturing every required detail.
• Record all required information in strict accordance with SOPs.
• Follow all plant and departmental safety procedures, including chemical handling protocols.
• Adhere to plant and department sanitation practices, including allergen sanitation and isolation procedures.
• Use hazardous chemicals safely and correctly.
• Operate a scissor lift safely and use fall protection equipment when needed.
• Use an electric walk-behind hand jack and forklift to complete sanitation tasks.
• Work continuously in a wet processing environment.
• Partner with maintenance, operations, and leadership to coordinate work.
• Contribute to productivity and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Keep work areas clean, orderly, and audit-ready.
• Perform area audits and 5S checks.
• Accurately document CIP records and cleaning for filler equipment.
• Operate chemical foaming systems for manual cleaning tasks.
• Disassemble and reassemble manufacturing equipment as part of sanitation.
• Open maintenance requests in the automated Maintenance Work Order System.
• Stage and prepare manufacturing equipment for CIP cycles.
• Manually clean filler equipment, supporting equipment, and their environments.
• Carry out pre-CIP and post-CIP inspections of filler equipment.
• Conduct verification swabs to confirm cleanliness.
• Verify cleaning and inspection of filler equipment to release the line to production.
• Participate in sanitation-related root cause investigations.
• Perform chemical titration as required.
• Apply advanced understanding of valves, pumps, and instrumentation.
• Leverage advanced knowledge of CIP and sanitation methods.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

What You Bring

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs on occasion.
• Comfort working in wet areas with potential exposure to dust, gases/fumes, and cleaning chemicals.
• Flexibility to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Team-oriented mindset and resilience in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
• Must be able to pass all pre-employment screens (including drug, background, and criminal checks).
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures.
• Solid math skills (whole numbers, fractions, decimals).
• Clear communication skills to present information and respond to questions from managers and clients.
• Mechanical familiarity with plant machinery and equipment.
• Ability to wear a company-provided uniform.

Proficiency & Tools

• Proficient in industrial cleaning equipment operation
• Proficient in CIP
• Primary technology: Cleaning-In-Place (CIP)

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly, full-time role
• Starting pay: $19 per hour
• Medical (base plan employer paid), Vision, Dental, HSA
• 401(k) with company match after a 90-day probationary period
• Free lunch, PTO, and six paid holidays per calendar year

Standards You’ll Uphold

Follow all applicable GMP and Safety guidelines (including chemical handling). Complete assigned tasks on schedule and as needed, observing allergen sanitation and isolation procedures at all times.