Sanitation Technician Lead

PetAg, Inc. • Hampshire, IL

15h • $22 - $33 • Onsite

About The Position

At PBI-Gordon Companies, and our subsidiaries PBI-Gordon Corporation, Pegasus Laboratories, and PetAg, Inc, our priority is people, pets, and the places they go. As employee owners, we support each other in building our careers as well as our companies. Our foundation is rooted in integrity, innovation, partnership, and pride. Come grow with us!
Position Summary
The Lead Sanitation Technician provides hands-on leadership for sanitation operations to ensure all production equipment, processing areas, and facility environments meet food-grade sanitation, cGMP, HACCP, and regulatory compliance standards. The Lead coordinates sanitation crews, verifies sanitation effectiveness, supports environmental monitoring programs, and ensures production areas are properly released for safe manufacturing.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Leadership or team-lead experience required
• 2–4 years of sanitation experience in food, beverage, or regulated manufacturing
• Working knowledge of GMPs, sanitation SOPs, and food safety requirements
• Ability to use basic technology (e.g., smartphone, tablet, or computer) for completing digital work orders.
• Ability to work in a confined space paddle mixer as well as lift 30lb-50lbs depending on need and on occasion at high altitude.

Responsibilities

• Assign daily sanitation tasks and coordinate sanitation crew activities
• Provide on-floor guidance and training to sanitation technicians
• Verify sanitation procedures are completed according to SOPs and schedules
• Ensure sanitation readiness aligns with production start-up timelines
• Escalate sanitation, food safety, or staffing issues to supervisors
• Enforce cGMP, food safety, hygienic zoning, and allergen control requirements
• Ensure proper use of sanitation tools, color-coding systems, and traffic control
• Support implementation of Preventive Controls Food Safety Plan sanitation requirements
• Maintain compliance with FDA, customer, and third-party audit standards
• Clean and sanitize production equipment, processing areas, storage areas, utensils and external facility grounds in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Execute Clean-Out-of-Place (COP) and basic Clean-In-Place (CIP) procedures as assigned. Disassemble and reassemble equipment for sanitation following SOPs.
• Operate cleaning equipment and machinery including floor scrubbers, foam guns, high-pressure washers, pallet jacks, forklifts, trash compactors, and balers.
• Perform manual cleaning activities including sweeping, mopping, and wiping down surfaces.
• Verify proper chemical usage, dilution concentrations, and storage practices
• Work in confined spaces, including inside production mixers and other limited-access equipment, while adhering to safety protocols and using appropriate PPE.
• Perform high-reach cleaning using ladders step stools, or lifts to clean overhead equipment or structures.
• Refill sanitation supplies and move materials using dollies or by lifting/moving boxes (following proper ergonomic and safety guidelines).
• Support cross-training efforts and maintain effective communication with team members and other departments.
• Assign and complete work orders, projects, and corrective actions on CompuClean custodial management application.
• Complete and verify sanitation logs, chemical usage records, and cleaning verification forms are completed accurately.
• Perform visual inspection of equipment and areas after sanitation activities.
• Notify supervisors of any sanitation deficiencies before production release.
• Track sanitation performance metrics and recurring sanitation issues
• Support sanitation re-cleaning activities when required and support sanitation investigations, root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Enforce sanitation safety practices including chemical handling, PPE, and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
• Conduct safety observations and coach employees on safe work practices
• Report hazards and ensure corrective actions are implemented

Benefits

• Employee Ownership (ESOP): Company-funded retirement contribution of ~18% of pay, plus 401(k)
• Competitive pay with bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, FSA, and Pet Insurance
• Generous paid time off, paid holidays, and parental leave
• Fitness reimbursement and tuition assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED