Sanitation Technician in Battle Creek, Michigan at Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.

Sanitation Technician

(Non-union / Hourly)

Department: Sanitation/Quality

Reports To: Sanitation Manager

Location: Battle Creek, Michigan

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Pay Range + other compensation components: $21.63 - $29.75/hour

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, Thrift, Life Insurance

Shift (if applicable): [Flexible depending on department’s needs + any OT requirements]

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Position Overview

The Sanitation Technician is responsible for maintaining the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, quality, and housekeeping throughout the facility. This position performs sanitation and Clean-In-Place (CIP) operations on production equipment, processing systems, packaging lines, and facility areas while ensuring compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

This role requires a self-motivated individual who can work independently and collaboratively to support plant operations. The Sanitation Technician will be expected to cross-train in multiple sanitation systems and production support functions and assist in other operational areas as needed.

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Key Responsibilities

Sanitation & Food Safety

• Perform daily sanitation activities in accordance with company sanitation procedures, food safety programs, and regulatory requirements.

• Clean and sanitize production equipment, processing systems, fillers, conveyors, packaging equipment, and facility areas.

• Operate and monitor Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems to ensure proper cleaning and sanitizing of processing equipment.

• Inspect equipment and facility areas to verify cleanliness and sanitation effectiveness.

• Ensure compliance with GMPs, HACCP, SQF, FDA, USDA, OSHA, and company quality standards.

• Document sanitation activities, inspections, corrective actions, and required records accurately and completely.

• Identify and report on sanitation, food safety, or quality concerns immediately.

Equipment Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Learn and operate multiple sanitation and CIP systems throughout the facility.

• Perform preventive sanitary maintenance activities on production equipment and processing systems.

• Assist with equipment disassembly, cleaning, inspection, rebuilding, and reassembly.

• Utilize mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills to identify operational concerns and support corrective actions.

• Maintain tools, sanitation equipment, and cleaning systems in proper working conditions.

• Notify leadership of equipment issues requiring maintenance intervention.

Operations Support

• Assist with duties related to assigned shifts directed by Group Leaders, Supervisors, or Management.

• Provide operational support in areas including:

o Production

o Cooler Operations

o Dock Operations

o Blow Mold Operations

o Warehouse Activities

o Material Handling

• Crosstrain across departments to support operational needs and staffing requirements.

• Perform additional duties and assignments as directed by management.

Safety & Housekeeping

• Follow all safety policies, procedures, and lockout/tagout requirements.

• Properly use and maintain required personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.

• Participate in safety meetings, training sessions, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Report unsafe conditions, near misses, incidents, or injuries immediately.

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Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.

• Ability and willingness to perform all assigned sanitation and operational duties.

• Commitment to maintaining the highest quality, sanitation, food safety, and manufacturing standards.

• Demonstrated ability to perform quality work with attention to detail.

• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively.

• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to learn equipment operation, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting fundamentals.

• Willingness to cross-train and perform duties in multiple departments.

• Ability to learn sanitation programs, chemical handling procedures, and CIP operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous sanitation experience in a food, beverage, dairy, or manufacturing environment.

• Experience with CIP systems and food processing equipment.

• Experience performing equipment disassembly, inspection, rebuilding, and reassembly.

• Understanding of GMPs, HACCP, SQF, and food safety requirements.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to work without direct supervision.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Excellent leadership, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Be comfortable in a fast-paced environment

Required Soft Skills:

• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

• Coachable and willing to learn.

• Ability to quickly learn the organization’s systems.

• Be a self-starter and able to work without direct supervision

• Proficient with and enjoy detailed work.

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Competency

• Food Safety Focus

• Quality Orientation

• Mechanical Aptitude

• Attention to Detail

• Accountability

• Teamwork and Collaboration

• Initiative

• Problem Solving

• Adaptability

• Communication Skills

________________________________________Working Conditions

This position operates in a dairy manufacturing environment and may involve exposure to moving machinery, cleaning chemicals, temperature fluctuations, and production operations. Employees are expected to maintain strict adherence to all safety, quality, food safety, and sanitation standards while supporting operational excellence throughout the facility.

Some of the physical requirements are:

• Ability to regularly lift, carry, push, and pull up to 61 pounds.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during scheduled shifts.

• Frequent bending, squatting, kneeling, climbing, reaching, and twisting.

• Ability to work in wet, humid, cold, hot, and noisy environments.

• Ability to work around sanitation chemicals and cleaning solutions while following safety requirements.

• Ability to wear required PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and other equipment as required.

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About Prairie Farms – “Farmer Owned. Locally Produced. Since 1938.”

We are a farmer-owned cooperative. This means we are owned and operated by over 800+ farm families who are critical members of society. They have selflessly taken on the tremendous task of producing nutritious, high-quality milk for a growing population, which requires being on the job 24/7, 365 days a year.

We have represented American agriculture since our founding in 1938. Many of our dairy farms are operated by several generations of family members with roots dating back to the 1800s. On average, each farm milks around 120 cows and everyone pitches in to keep them happy and healthy - which means around-the-clock care!

Our Mission:

• Producing dairy products of the highest quality

• To conduct our business with professional integrity

• To exceed expectations of our customers and consumers

• To support our communities in a positive, sustainable manner

• To deliver exceptional patronage to our network of farm families

• To simply “do right” for our farm families, employees, and communities

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EEO Statement

Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.