Sanitation Technician / Sanitation Crew Member
Location: Arps Dairy – 220 N Clinton St, Defiance, Ohio 43512
Department: Operations / Quality
Reports To: Sanitation Supervisor or Production Supervisor
Shift: Early Morning Shift – Start Time: 4:00 AM and ability to do afternoon Shift if needed
SUMMARY
The Sanitation Technician is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness, sanitation, and food safety of production equipment, processing systems, and facility work areas to ensure ARPS Dairy products are manufactured in a safe, sanitary, and compliant environment. This position performs cleaning and sanitation activities on production equipment, tanks, processing lines, fillers, piping, and facility surfaces using approved cleaning procedures, Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems, and Clean-Out-of-Place (COP) methods.
The Sanitation Technician plays a critical role in supporting ARPS Dairy's Food Safety and Quality Management System by ensuring production equipment is cleaned, sanitized, inspected, and prepared for daily production while complying with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Safe Quality Food (SQF), Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), and company sanitation standards.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Required
· High School Diploma or GED.
· Minimum of one year of experience in food manufacturing, dairy processing, sanitation, or a related manufacturing environment.
· Demonstrated ability to safely operate Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems after training.
· Ability to perform Clean-Out-of-Place (COP) cleaning procedures.
· Ability to safely handle sanitation chemicals and follow Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
· Ability to work in wet, cold, humid, and physically demanding environments.
· Ability to work an early morning 4AM shift and afternoon shifts as needed.
Preferred
· Previous experience in dairy or beverage manufacturing.
· Experience with automated CIP systems and sanitation documentation.
· Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, SQF, PMO, and sanitation requirements.
· Understanding of pasteurization systems and dairy processing equipment.
· Forklift certification or willingness to obtain certification.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of ARPS Dairy's pre-employment requirements, including receipt of a satisfactory pre-employment drug screen result.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Work collaboratively with Production, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, and fellow team members to ensure equipment and facilities are properly cleaned, sanitized, inspected, and prepared for safe food production. Essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
· Equipment Sanitation: Perform daily sanitation of production equipment, tanks, fillers, piping, processing lines, conveyors, pumps, valves, and related equipment.
· CIP Operation: Operate, monitor, and verify Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems for pasteurizers, tanks, pipelines, and processing equipment according to established procedures.
· COP Cleaning: Perform Clean-Out-of-Place (COP) cleaning of removable equipment components, fittings, utensils, pumps, valves, and processing parts.
· Disassembly and Reassembly: Properly disassemble and reassemble production equipment as required to facilitate effective cleaning, inspection, and sanitation.
· Production Readiness: Complete sanitation procedures before production startup and inspect equipment after cleaning to verify cleanliness and readiness for use.
· SSOP and Master Sanitation Schedule: Follow all approved Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), Master Sanitation Schedule requirements, and cleaning-verification procedures.
· Chemical Handling: Mix, handle, store, and dispose of sanitation chemicals, including caustic, acid, and sanitizers, according to company procedures, SDS requirements, and required PPE standards.
· Chemical and Cycle Monitoring: Monitor and document chemical concentrations, temperatures, contact times, and CIP cycle parameters to ensure cleaning effectiveness.
· Sanitation Documentation: Complete sanitation logs, chemical records, verification records, and other required documentation accurately, legibly, and on time.
· Inventory: Maintain sanitation chemical and supply inventory and notify supervision when replenishment is needed.
· Environmental Monitoring Support: Support environmental monitoring, sanitation verification, and corrective-action activities as assigned.
· Facility Cleaning: Clean floors, drains, walls, ceilings, production rooms, coolers, packaging areas, equipment surfaces, and other assigned facility areas.
· Deep Cleaning: Perform scheduled deep cleaning of processing equipment and facility areas.
· Issue Escalation: Immediately report sanitation, equipment, chemical, safety, or food safety concerns to supervision and Quality Assurance.
· Cross-Functional Support: Assist Production and Maintenance when sanitation or equipment-readiness concerns are identified.
· Sanitation Tools: Properly clean, inspect, store, and maintain sanitation tools, hoses, brushes, foaming equipment, and related supplies.
· Housekeeping: Use available downtime to organize sanitation equipment and maintain clean, orderly, and safe work areas.
· Continuous Improvement: Participate in training and continuous-improvement initiatives that enhance sanitation effectiveness, employee safety, and operational efficiency.
· Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned.
FOOD SAFETY & QUALITY RESPONSIBILITIES
· Comply with all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP, SQF, PMO, sanitation, allergen-control, and company food safety procedures.
· Maintain sanitary conditions that protect product safety, quality, legality, and regulatory compliance.
· Immediately report food safety, sanitation, equipment, product quality, or regulatory concerns to supervision and Quality Assurance.
· Complete sanitation, environmental monitoring, chemical usage, and operational documentation accurately and timely.
· Verify equipment cleanliness and line clearance before production startup.
· Prevent cross-contamination through proper cleaning procedures, chemical usage, equipment handling, and sanitation practices.
· Support ARPS Dairy's Food Safety Culture through ownership, accountability, communication, and continuous improvement.
· Stop work and immediately notify supervision if a condition is observed that could affect employee safety, food safety, or product integrity.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
· Strong attention to detail and commitment to cleanliness, food safety, and product quality.
· Ability to read, understand, and follow written sanitation procedures, chemical labels, SDS information, and verbal instructions.
· Ability to safely work with sanitation chemicals and correctly use required PPE.
· Mechanical aptitude sufficient to safely disassemble and reassemble designated equipment after training.
· Ability to monitor CIP parameters and recognize deviations or incomplete sanitation cycles.
· Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with Production, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, and supervision.
· Ability to work independently while contributing to a cooperative, team-focused environment.
· Strong organization, time management, reliability, and ability to complete work before scheduled production startup.
· Ability to adapt to changing sanitation and production priorities in a fast-paced environment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical requirements described are representative of those that must be routinely met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
· Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
· Prolonged periods of standing and walking on wet or slippery surfaces.
· Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing, reaching, pushing, pulling, and twisting.
· Frequent use of hands and arms to operate cleaning equipment, handle hoses, scrub equipment, and disassemble or reassemble parts.
· Ability to work safely around tanks, platforms, ladders, production equipment, and moving machinery.
· Ability to wear required PPE, including safety footwear, gloves, aprons, eye and face protection, hearing protection, and chemical-resistant equipment when applicable.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Working conditions described are representative of those that must be met by an employee while performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
· Smoke-free and alcohol/drug-free working environment.
· Food manufacturing environment with exposure to water, steam, sanitation chemicals, food ingredients, moving equipment, and elevated noise levels.
· Work may be performed in warm, hot, humid, cold, wet, or slippery conditions and around temperature changes.
· Early morning schedule beginning at 4:00 a.m.; afternoon shifts, overtime, weekends, and holidays may be required based on production and sanitation needs.
· Use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory.
This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required for employment. Furthermore, this position description does not establish a contract or guarantee of employment. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice, at the discretion of the employer.
Arps Dairy, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.
Pay: $19.00 - $21.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you able to start your shift at 4:00 AM?
- Did you review the job description? If yes, are you able to meet the essential functions of the position?
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Preferred)
Experience:
- hands-on experience operating CIP and COP systems: 1 year (Required)
- using Acid & Caustic agents: 1 year (Required)
Language:
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Required)
- Night Shift (Required)
- Overnight Shift (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Defiance, OH 43512 (Required)
Work Location: In person
