Sanitation Associate

Job Title: Sanitation Associate             

Career Level: S1

Function: Operations                

Reports to: Sanitation Supervisor

Location: Whitehall West                      

Position Type: full time            

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 4 pm – 12 am, overtime as necessary

Pay: $20.50 + 10% shift differential = $22.55

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Ornua is a leading dairy company and the proud owner of premium dairy brands enjoyed by consumers around the world. With annual revenues exceeding $3.7 billion and a global workforce of approximately 2,800 employees, Ornua operates across 10 business units and 12 production facilities spanning Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa.

In North America, Ornua is focused on delivering high-quality dairy products and ingredients to retail, foodservice, and food manufacturing customers. The company supports the growth of globally recognized brands, including Kerrygold, while also providing innovative dairy ingredient solutions to meet evolving customer needs.

Backed by a strong global supply network and deep dairy expertise, Ornua combines the strength of an international organization with a commitment to local markets, customers, and communities. Through its manufacturing facilities, commercial teams, and customer partnerships across the United States and Canada, Ornua continues to drive growth, innovation, and excellence throughout the dairy industry.

At Ornua, our success is built on our people, our values, and our commitment to delivering quality products and exceptional service to customers every day.

As a Sanitation Associate, you play a critical role in maintaining a safe, clean, and sanitary food manufacturing environment. Your work directly supports food safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, and the success of our production operations. You will help ensure that production equipment, processing areas, and facility surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized according to established procedures and food-safety standards. By preventing contamination and cross-contamination, you help protect the quality and safety of the products enjoyed by our customers.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Clean equipment and work areas, to include the laboratory, production and all other areas assigned using chemical cleaning solutions, hand tools and pressurized sanitation equipment.
• Inspect sanitation work and follow up as appropriate to ensure that all operating and sanitation standards have been met to ensure a safe and effective on time start of production and processing equipment.
• Perform duties following all good manufacturing practices (GMP’s) including food, equipment, and operating safety requirements.
• Complete all necessary cleaning and workplace sanitation requirements.
• Flexible to support work in all areas as needed.
• Record production information in a tablet, computer or by hand.
• Attend all required company training.
• Demonstrate commitment to Safety, Food Safety and Food Quality.
• Required to fully comply with Quality Management System Policies and Procedures and Food Safety Management requirements.
• Effectively communicate with Management in regard to Equipment issues, Food Safety issues, Quality issues, Safety issues and sanitation processes and procedures that need review. 
• Assist in inventory of chemicals, cleaning supplies and parts required.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Adhere to and strive to exceed the expectations of stringent Safety, Food Safety, Quality and good manufacturing practices (GMP’s) policies and procedures at all times.   
• Ability to calculate and understand basic math and simple formulas including but not limited to addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and averages.
• Perform duties following all good manufacturing practices (GMP’s) including food, equipment, and operating safety requirements.
• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, cultivating a culture of trust, accountability, collaboration, and teamwork.
• Ability to demonstrate a high sense of urgency and be proactive in addressing problems as they arise.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 1-2 years previous sanitation experience required; with experience in Food and Beverage industry preferred
• Ability to communicate in English
• Must be at least 18 years old

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This role requires regular standing, walking, bending, twisting, pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 60 pounds. Employees must be able to perform repetitive motions and safely operate equipment while following all safety and quality procedures.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a food manufacturing facility with variable temperatures — cooler warehouse areas and warmer production zones. The environment includes exposure to moving equipment, moderate to loud noise levels, and required use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety shoes, hearing protection, gloves, and hairnets.

WHY ORNUA?

Ornua is a purpose-driven, values-led co-operative creating value for Irish dairy farming families through our global operations. With 10 business units, 16 production facilities, and in-market teams across the world, we operate through two divisions — Ornua Foods, which markets our iconic consumer brands including Kerrygold and Pilgrims Choice, and Ornua Ingredients, which provides innovative, customized dairy ingredient solutions to our customers.

• Our Values lie at the core of everything we do. Our five values encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care, and Achieve Great Things Together.
• We invest in our people and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Career progression opportunities, including global mobility.
• Comprehensive benefits with region-specific offerings.

TOTAL REWARDS

Total Rewards at Ornua Ingredients North America will include a competitive salary and quarterly bonus scheme for production. The following are a list of other benefits you can avail of: low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits cover; 401k; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave (20 weeks); Parental Leave; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Long Service Awards.

Ornua is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will be provided with equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or genetic information.  Ornua is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact Ornua People Services at View phone number on careers.ornua.com or View email address on careers.ornua.com. 

This employer participates in E-Verify, a federal program that verifies the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. As part of the hiring process, information provided on your Form I-9 will be submitted to the E-Verify system.
E-Verify compares your information to records maintained by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.
For more information about E-Verify, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Nearest Major Market: Eau Claire