Sanitation Technician 1

Seneca Foods is one of North America's leading providers of packaged fruits and vegetables with facilities located throughout the United States. Our high-quality products are primarily sourced from over 1,400 American farms. Seneca holds the largest share of the retail private label, food service, and export canned vegetable markets, distributing to over 90 countries. Products are also sold under the brands of Libby’s®, Aunt Nellie’s®, READ®, Seneca Farms®, Green Valley®, Green Giant (Shelf-Stable)®, CherryMan®, Paradise®, Pennant®, and Seneca labels, including Seneca snack chips. Seneca also provides vegetable products to other companies under various co-pack arrangements.

About the role

This position encompasses sanitation duties across various areas including vegetable processing equipment, warehousing, and the equipment environment, ensuring cleanliness and adherence to hygiene standards throughout the facility. The role entails active participation in the sanitation cleaning crew, with responsibilities including thorough cleaning and sanitization of processing equipment, warehouse areas, and equipment environments to uphold stringent Quality Control and Bacterial Standards. Flexibility and adaptability are essential, as the role may involve varied tasks across different areas while prioritizing safety guidelines. The sanitation worker must work cohesively under pressure and demonstrate a proactive approach to task execution.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean work area, ensuring it is devoid of safety hazards.
• Collect raw materials and finished products from the floor as necessary.
• Properly dispose of raw materials as required.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills and collaborate proficiently with colleagues.
• Execute repetitive tasks meticulously, paying careful attention to detail.
• Work adeptly in wet environments for extended durations.
• Execute all assigned duties diligently and within designated timeframes.
• Collaborate closely with supervisors and managers to ensure adherence to Company policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Comply rigorously with directives from management.
• Undertake any additional tasks as delegated.
• Adhere strictly to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and safety protocols.
• Utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling chemicals and utilizing compressed air, where applicable.
• Employ Good Sanitation Practices (GSPs) when working with or around equipment.
• Effectively sanitize equipment and areas in accordance with established Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOPs).
• Verify the appropriate concentration of chemicals by analyzing cleaner strengths and sanitizers during the sanitation process, ensuring safety and efficacy.
• Promptly report damaged, worn, or in-need-of-replacement equipment to a Supervisor or Team Leader.
• Strictly adhere to all company SSOPs for cleaning and sanitizing processing equipment and facilities.
• Prevent cross-contamination of products, work-in-progress, food contact surfaces, and packaging during sanitation procedures.
• Abide by Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) requirements, including GMPs and other job-specific duties, to support Quality and Regulatory Management Programs (QRMP).
• Thoroughly complete all sanitation and required Safe Quality Food (SQF) documentation.
• Maintain all sanitation-related equipment, including but not limited to foamers, pressure washers, cleaning equipment, and tools, in optimal condition.

Requirements

• Read and follow detailed chemical label instructions for sanitation programs and SOPs.
• Good communication skills (listening, speaking, writing).
• Use sound judgment and decision-making.
• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning while performing tasks.
• Service Oriented — Managing work time to effectively accomplish tasks and maintain pace with workflow and deadlines.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with coworkers.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently when needed as part of the team.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as standing/walking, crouching, stooping, twisting, balancing, leg/foot use, reaching, overhead extension, handling, pushing/pulling, climbing, lifting and handling of materials and packed boxes.
• Job requires working indoors in a fast-paced setting with constant cold temperature (~34°F).
• The environment has constant noise, forklift and electric pallet jack activity, wet/damp floors, and moving belts. Attention to keeping foreign objects off belts is required for safety.
• Lift up to 50 lbs. throughout the day.
• Pushing and pulling pallet jacks.
• Willing and able to work long hours, nights, and/or weekends as required by business needs.
• Work environment is wet and exposed to cleaning chemicals.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• 401K.
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.
• Paid Time Off.

Schedule

Sanitation workers typically work during late evenings, nights, or early morning shifts (specific work shift to be determined by the supervisor), with some overtime required on weekends, days, or evenings.