Machine Cleaner

About the role

The Machine Cleaner is responsible for the thorough dry cleaning and precise dust control of production machinery and surrounding areas. This role is critical to maintaining high standards of safety (dust explosion prevention) and equipment reliability by ensuring fine tea dust, debris, and product build-up are systematically removed using only approved dry methods (primarily industrial vacuuming, dusting, wiping).

You’ll add value to this role by performing various functions including, but not limited to:

• Dry dust removal
• Execute daily and scheduled dry cleaning procedures on assigned production equipment and infrastructure using HEPA-filtered or industrial vacuum systems
• Scheduled Cleaning: Perform scheduled deep cleaning tasks, which involve minor disassembly and reassembly of non-technical components (e.g., removable guards, shields, conveyors, chutes) for internal dust removal
• Contaminant Removal: Safely and carefully remove and dispose of all loose tea dust, product remnants, scrap, and debris, ensuring all material is contained during the cleaning process
• Tool Management: Utilize and maintain specialized drycleaning tools, brushes, and industrial vacuum systems in operational condition
• Cleanliness Audit: Ensure all assigned areas meet strict internal cleanliness standards for dust control and fire prevention
• Damage Reporting: Proactively inspect equipment during cleaning and immediately report any signs of damage, wear, fluid leaks, loose fasteners, or other abnormalities to the Maintenance Supervisor for work order creation
• Waste Management: Organize and manage all machine-generated solid waste streams (e.g., recyclable metal, scrap material, discarded tea) to ensure proper disposal
• Cleaning Logs: Accurately complete and sign off on all scheduled drycleaning checklists/logs upon completion of work

Responsibilities

Safety Compliance: Adhere to all required regulatory and site standards related to LOTO and dust control to ensure the facility is compliant for all safety audits
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): MANDATORY - Strictly adhere to all Lockout/Tagout and safety procedures before initiating any cleaning, adjustment, or minor disassembly on equipment. Never clean a machine that is not de-energized and verified safe
PPE Usage: Consistently use required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including but not limited to safety glasses, respiratory protection, and steel-toed/composite-toed footwear (if required)
Tea Dust Protocol: Strictly follow all established protocols for tea dust control and the correct use of static-dissipative tools and vacuum systems
Safe Work Practices: Ensure the work area remains free of slip, trip, and fall hazards (e.g., immediately clean up spilled dry material or other hazards)

Requirements

This is a full-time permanent role on Third (3rd) shift, Monday through Friday, with some Saturdays. Overtime may be available, depending on the needs of the business.

The anticipated starting wage rate for this position is $16.80 to $21.90 per hour plus $0.60 per hour shift differential.

Skills

Ability to follow detailed instructions and cleaning checklists. Basic mechanical aptitude for simple disassembly/reassembly

Qualifications

A High School diploma or GED

Experience: 1+ years of experience in an industrial cleaning or maintenance support role, preferably in a dry process manufacturing environment

Benefits

Competitive compensation and benefits program!
Enrollment in our wellness and employee assistance programs!
Paid holidays, vacation, and other competitive paid time off opportunities!
An inclusive working environment where you can build meaningful work relationships with a diverse group of people
Leaders who are invested in supporting your career growth.
Opportunities to be recognized for outstanding contributions to your team through our employee recognition programs.

Pay

The anticipated starting wage rate for this position is $16.80 to $21.90 per hour plus $0.60 per hour shift differential.

Schedule

This is a full-time permanent role on Third (3rd) shift, Monday through Friday, with some Saturdays. Overtime may be available, depending on the needs of the business.