Sanitation Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Love pets? Love making a real difference? Darwin's Natural Pet Products is where passion meets purpose. We're not just making pet food; we're creating a healthier future for dogs and cats nationwide through ethical sourcing and superior nutrition. Be part of a family-owned company where your work directly impacts the wellbeing of thousands of pets and the families who love them.

Position Summary

The Sanitation Associate is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing production equipment and facility areas to support food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance. This position follows established sanitation procedures to prevent cross-contamination and ensure the safe and proper use of cleaning chemicals. The role requires strong attention to detail, adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and safety standards, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, including evening or overnight shifts.

What You’ll Do

• Clean and sanitize production equipment, processing areas, and facility surfaces according to established procedures.
• Conduct pre-operational inspections to verify equipment and production areas are clean and ready for use.
• Follow all Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), GMPs, food safety requirements, and company safety policies.
• Prevent cross-contamination of products, work-in-progress, food-contact surfaces, and food-contact packaging during sanitation activities.
• Safely handle, use, label, and store cleaning and sanitation chemicals according to company procedures and OSHA requirements.
• Ensure chemicals are used at the proper concentrations and in accordance with manufacturer and company instructions.
• Follow lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures when cleaning or servicing equipment, as required.
• Clean and maintain buckets, containers, sanitation tools, and equipment, including floor scrubbers, foamers, and other cleaning equipment.
• Assist with pest control and environmental monitoring activities as required.
• Complete sanitation logs, inspection records, and other required documentation accurately and on time.
• Promptly report sanitation, food safety, equipment, or maintenance concerns to a supervisor.
• Maintain clean and sanitary work areas throughout the facility.
• Comply with applicable federal, state, and local food safety and workplace safety requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position does not oversee staff.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary range: $21.65 - $28.00 per hour depending on experience and qualifications.

• Enjoy 10 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) for vacation, sick leave or for any other personal reason.

• Additional paid time away includes 4 Paid Holidays, 3 Floating Holidays.

• Company-sponsored benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability coverage, and life insurance, plus access to additional optional supplemental benefits.

• Company contribution to your 401(k) plan equal to 5% of pay after 6 months of service.

• Keep your pets happy and healthy with a free supply of Darwin’s fresh, premium-quality pet food.

What You Bring:

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous sanitation or industrial cleaning experience preferred but not required.
• Previous experience in a food manufacturing or production environment preferred.

• Ability to work non-standard hours, including evening, overnight, weekend, or other assigned shifts.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and sanitation procedures.
• Understanding of workplace safety practices and safe chemical handling.
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify potential sanitation or contamination concerns.
• Effective time management skills and ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to accurately complete sanitation logs and required documentation.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Work is typically performed in a pet-friendly office environment with low to moderate noise level.

• Regular exposure to wet or slippery surfaces, refrigerated or cold conditions, humidity, loud noise, sanitation chemicals, and moving mechanical equipment may occur.
• Employees may be exposed to varying temperatures ranging from refrigerated or freezing conditions to room temperature.

• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required in designated areas and when performing certain sanitation activities.

• Requires prolonged standing and walking, as well as frequent bending, stooping, reaching, and other physical movements.
• Regularly requires the use of hands to handle tools and equipment and the ability to see, hear, and communicate effectively.
• Ability to work in wet, humid, cold, and physically demanding conditions for extended periods.
• Ability to climb ladders and work at heights when required.
• Ability to push and pull pallet jacks, sanitation equipment, and other materials.

• Ability to safely navigate the facility, including stairs and multiple levels.

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at all times.

Why work for Darwin’s?

• Turn your passion for pets into purpose - join a team on a mission to improve the lives of animals and the people who love them.

• A friendly atmosphere and terrific people who like to work hard and have fun.

• A highly collaborative environment across all parts of the company.

• Free snacks year-round and complementary BBQ lunches during the summer.

About Darwin’s Natural Pet Products

Since 2004, Darwin's Natural Pet Products has been on a mission to help pets and their owners enjoy more years of healthy companionship. As a pioneer of the raw, natural pet food movement and the first raw pet food company to bring e-commerce to the U.S., we deliver fresh, human-grade meals for dogs and cats directly to homes nationwide. Our meals are Inspired by Nature and Informed by Science, and everything we make is grounded in a commitment to quality, conscious sourcing, and the well-being of the pets we serve.

Darwin’s Natural Pet Products is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We pride ourselves on our diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.