Sanitation Technician Lead
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!
Department: Operations
Reports To: Production Manager
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.
Compensation & 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
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Leadership & Coordination
- 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
- Food Safety, GMP & Regulatory Compliance
- 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
- Cleaning & Sanitation Operations
- 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.
- Documentation & Verification
- 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.
- Safety
- 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
Required Qualifications
- 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.
Physical Demands
- Frequently required to stand, walk, bend, stoop, climb, and reach.
- Regularly lifts and/or moves up to 15 pounds; occasionally up to 30 pounds with appropriate equipment.
- Frequent use of hands and arms to operate cleaning tools and machinery.
- Ability to work at varying heights using ladders or step stools as needed.
- Occasional work in confined spaces, following strict safety protocols.
Environmental Conditions:
- Work is performed in a manufacturing facility that may involve exposure to varying temperatures, humidity, and odors from cleaning agents.
- Noise levels may be moderate to high, requiring the use of hearing protection in designated areas.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety glasses, and respiratory protection may be required depending on the task.
Work Environment & Culture
We offer a collaborative, employee-owned workplace where accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement matter. Employees are encouraged to share ideas, grow their skills, and build long-term careers.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees.
Ready to Apply?
If you enjoy dependable, hands-on work and want to be part of a team that values safety, teamwork, and ownership, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today.
The pay range for this role considers a wide range of factors including but not limited to: skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, geographical location, and other organizational needs.
The estimated pay range for this role is $21.85/hr. Min to $32.78/hr. Max per year.
Additionally, you will be eligible to participate in a bonus program associated with this specific role.
PBI-Gordon Companies and its subsidiaries are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time employees who work 30 hours per week or more. Full-time employees will become eligible to participate in benefits on the first of the month following their start date, unless stated otherwise below. (Note: Interns do not qualify for eligibility.)
Medical Insurance
We are committed to helping you and your dependents maintain health and wellness by offering voluntary, competitive medical insurance and prescription drug plan options.
Dental Insurance
Choose from two voluntary dental plans that are designed to help protect you and your dependents’ oral health.
Vision Insurance
Our voluntary vision insurance plan is designed to help protect you and your dependents eye health. Coverage is available for eye exams, frames, lenses, and contact lenses. Employee owners are responsible for 100% of the cost of this plan.
Life Insurance with Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
We offer a company-paid $50,000 life insurance policy with AD&D. You also have the opportunity to purchase additional life and AD&D insurance for yourself, your spouse and/or your dependent children. The cost for this coverage is based on the amount you elect and your age.
Short- and Long-term Disability
Our company-paid short-term and long-term disability plans to provide income replacement in the event you are not able to work due to illness or injury. Short-term disability will provide 70% income replacement up to $1,350 per week and long-term disability will provide 60% income replacement up to $5,000 per month.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
EAP Services are company paid to benefit all employee-owners and their families. EAP provides up to six free counseling sessions to help you and your family members manage life stressors, solve personal or relationship concerns, and achieve your goals.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Flexible Spending Plans offer employee-owners the option to set aside pre-tax monies into a medical reimbursement or dependent care account to help pay for out-of-pocket medical, dental or vision expenses or day care costs. The maximum contributions are determined by the IRS and adjusted annually. This is a use-it-or-lose-it account, meaning any funds remaining in the account following the close of the plan year will be forfeited.
Pet Insurance
We love our pets! Pet insurance options for your furry friends is offered through the ASPCA. Employee-owners can enroll and pay premiums directly to ASPCA.
Paid Holidays & Paid Time Off (PTO)
Everyone needs time off to rest and recharge! Paid time off includes Regular PTO, Personal PTO, and specified paid company holidays. *The amount of paid time off (PTO) depends upon the employee's position and years of service.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
We act like we own the company because we do! An ESOP provides employees with an ownership stake in the company. It’s an additional form of compensation directly tied to PBI-Gordon Companies financial success. All regular employees are eligible to participate in the ESOP the first of the month following 30 days of service. PBI-Gordon Companies contributes approximately 18% of total compensation annually with a six-year vesting schedule. Our ESOP is more than a benefit, it is a key part of a culture, and it can provide significant rewards in retirement!
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Saving for retirement is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. We offer a 401(k)-retirement savings plan to assist employees with this important financial goal. New employee owners are eligible to participate the first of the month following 30 days of employment. We provide a company match of 100% up to 3% deferral with a three-year vesting schedule.
Fitness Reimbursement
We believe regular exercise helps improve overall health and job performance. PBI-Gordon will reimburse up to a maximum of $300 annually for gym/fitness memberships.
William Everett & Mary Ellen Mealman Scholarship Fund
Children or grandchildren of employee-owners may apply for a scholarship under the William Everett & Mary Ellen Mealman scholarship fund. Applicants are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, and involvement in extracurricular/community activities.
Tuition Reimbursement
After one full year of employment, employee-owners are eligible for tuition reimbursement for bachelor’s level coursework related to their current job or any future job offered at PBI-Gordon Companies.
Parental Leave
Company paid parental leave is offered to employee-owners following the birth of a child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption, foster care, or surrogacy. This policy will run concurrently with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, as applicable.
If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Please see our CCPA disclosure for more information.
Employment is contingent upon and may not begin until the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screen. PBI-Gordon and its subsidiaries participate in E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. For more information about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit the E-Verify Website.