Sanitation Technician - Chicago, IL

Job description

Your Role: Sanitation Technician As a Sanitation Technician, you’ll be on the front lines of food safety, working as part of a team to clean and sanitize food production facilities. You’ll use specialized equipment and chemicals to remove debris, sanitize machinery, and prepare the plant to meet strict USDA, FDA, and customer standards. This is a physical role that requires focus, teamwork, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment. You’ll report to a Site Manager and work alongside fellow team members to make sure every shift ends with a safe and spotless facility. Key Responsibilities Clean and sanitize equipment, floors, walls, and work areas in assigned sections of the plant. Dismantle and reassemble equipment to ensure thorough cleaning. Handle cleaning chemicals safely and follow all usage guidelines. Inspect equipment and areas to confirm readiness for pre-op inspections. Follow all company and regulatory safety protocols, including Lock Out/Tag Out, PPE, and HAZCOMM. Work efficiently to complete sanitation tasks within established timelines. Maintain open communication with teammates, supervisors, and plant staff. Support team members and assist with additional duties as needed. What Success Looks Like: Core Competencies We’re looking for team members who: Collaborate: Work well with teammates, support others, and share credit for successes. Focus on the Customer: Deliver consistent, high-quality work that earns client trust and satisfaction. Be Resilient: Stay confident under pressure, bounce back from challenges, and maintain a positive outlook. Adapt to Situations: Adjust to changing tasks, environments, and priorities on the job. Our Values in Action Partnership : You work together with teammates, clients, and supervisors to get the job done right. Excellence : You take pride in your work, follow procedures, and deliver consistent, high-quality results. Integrity : You do the right thing — even when no one is watching. You’re dependable, honest, and accountable. What You Bring: Qualifications & Physical Requirements Minimum Qualifications & Skills Attitude & Dependability: A strong commitment to safety, teamwork, quality, and a positive attitude. Experience: No prior sanitation experience is required—we provide comprehensive, hands-on training. Bonus Qualifications: Prior experience in sanitation, food processing, industrial cleaning, or being bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus but not required. Availability: Must be reliable and available to work primarily overnight shifts (third shift), including weekends and holidays. Essential Physical Demands & Work Environment The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Lifting & Carrying: Must be able to routinely lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 pounds independently (e.g., sanitation chemicals, heavy hoses, and dismantled machinery components). Constant Physical Activity: Position requires continuous standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, stooping, and reaching over the head for the duration of an 8 to 12-hour shift. Manual Dexterity & Grip Strength: Must possess the fine motor skills, repetitive hand/wrist flexibility, and grip strength necessary to dismantle/reassemble complex machinery , scrub surfaces, and operate high-pressure water hoses or industrial cleaning equipment for extended periods. Environmental Exposure: Continuous work in a food manufacturing environment with extreme temperature variances—including wet, humid, hot, and cold/freezing environments (e.g., blast freezers or cooking areas). Sensory & Safety Requirements: Must be able to wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) , including respirators, safety goggles, face shields, steel-toed boots, and chemical-resistant suits. Must be able to tolerate loud noise levels (hearing protection provided) and exposure to industrial cleaning chemicals/fumes. Sensory Acuity: Requires close visual acuity to inspect machinery and verify cleanliness during pre-op inspections. Scheduling Demands: Must be capable of working third-shift/overnight hours, including weekends and holidays, as dictated by plant operational schedules. Job Details Job Type : Full-time Schedule : Primarily overnight shifts; must be available for weekends and holidays Environment : Food manufacturing plants (hot, cold, wet, and noisy conditions) Reporting To : Site Manager Compensation & Benefits Competitive hourly wage Health, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with company match Paid time off & holiday pay Opportunities for overtime pay Career growth and promotion opportunities Your Future Starts Here At Ecowize, we believe everyone deserves a future they can count on. Many of our leaders started on the sanitation floor, and we’re proud to offer pathways for career growth. Whether you want a reliable paycheck, new skills, or a long-term career, Ecowize gives you the training, support, and opportunities to succeed. #LI-DNI Why Ecowize? At Ecowize North America, we go beyond cleaning food production facilities — we safeguard public health and drive operational excellence. As part of our team, you’ll join a mission-driven organization committed to food safety, innovation, and people development. If you’re ready to lead, inspire, and make a measurable difference, this role is for you.