Sanitation Clerk - Irvine Plant

About Us: Northgate Gonzalez Market has grown from one store in Anaheim in 1980 to over 40 locations across Southern California, and we’re looking for passionate, customer-focused team members to join our family. We offer flexible schedules, opportunities for growth, and an associate discount of up to 20% for you and your household—all in a positive and fun work environment where you’ll feel valued and appreciated. If you’re enthusiastic, team-oriented, and ready to build a career with us, we’d love to meet you.

Sanitation Clerk Job Summary:

Maintains Plant’s food contact surfaces and non-food contact surfaces in all areas & equipment in pristine and optimum conditions throughout the shift. Executes Company’s GMP program and strictly abides by its policies. Under the direction of Quality Assurance, executes the food safety & quality assurance programs of the plant. Works under the guidance of the Sanitation Manager to develop, implement and execute all sanitation standards operational procedures, (SSOP’S).

Assists Quality Assurance in the implementation and monitoring of all USDA pre-requisite requirements such as Listeria, allergens and traceability. Uses Sanitation chemicals as per Company’s safety & sanitation guidelines. Responsible to always wear appropriate safety gear while performing work duties and ensures that other associates wear it as well. Reports immediately any deviation or policy failure. Ensures that all equipment is properly and safely disassembled, clean, rinse & sanitize and re-assemble back together in a proper and safe way, according to SSOP guidelines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Some of these tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Assists in the execution of the Company’s General Manufacturing Practices, (GMP) policies & procedures.


• Assists in the execution of all Sanitation Standard Operational Procedures, (SSOP’S).


•  Assists Quality Assurance in the implementation and execution of HACCP.


•  Performs the correct dilution ratios of all cleaning chemicals. Ensures that all chemicals always are locked and secured in a previously assigned place.


• Responsible for his safety and the safety of his Peers. Always executes the Lock-out / Tag out program.


•  Ensures that always wear the correct safety gear to perform the job and that all sanitation personnel wear it as well and reports any deviation of policy.


•  Assists QA and Sanitation Manager in executing the correct pre-operational inspection and having the plant ready for USDA inspection in time.


• Works closely with Sanitation leadership, production associates and QA in preventing potential cross-contamination situations.


•  Helps maintain a safe work environment by properly following the IIPP (Injury Illness Prevention Programs).


• Completes sanitation log records in a daily basis, as per QA directive.


•  Works closely with Maintenance department to prevent water-related damage in processing equipment.


•  Works closely with Quality Assurance department in the execution of the Pest Control program.

 Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Promote health and safety in the workplace.


• Assists in maintaining plant in optimum and pristine sanitation condition.


• Display good work ethic, resourcefulness, and organization.


• Reports immediately any malfunction issues and/or missing equipment parts as well as any damaged equipment while performing the daily tasks.


• Strictly follows weekly working schedule provided by Sanitation Leadership Team.


• Responsible for taking scheduled breaks in a timely manner, as per Company’s policy.


• Leads by example in the use of proper uniform and work gear.


•  Ensures that all sanitation records & formats are properly filled as per Quality Assurance guidelines.


• Strictly executes the lock out / tag out program, as per Company’s policy.


• Performs proper equipment prep prior to wash down.


•  Assists Sanitation Leadership team in managing water consumption in Plant. Avoids use of excess water throughout the Plant.


• Performs the SSOP training manual in EACH piece of equipment and it’s daily execution.


• Help maintain peripherical areas of plant in acceptable sanitary conditions such as associate’s restrooms, locker rooms and break rooms.


• Help maintain the trash area outside the plant in proper sanitary conditions.


• Leads by example in maintaining an exceptional GMP program in his/her person, team, and workplace.


• Keeps chemical cage area always locked.


• Must have a solid attendance record.

 Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must have basic Food Handlers certification.


• Basic knowledge on Food manufacturing, processing and sanitation.


• Ability to understand and effectively communicate the daily pre-operational inspections and constant sanitation of plant.


• Must be able to work in a team environment.


• Must be able to follow up direction.


• Must have a very strong Customer service commitment.


• Must be able to lift 30 Lbs. frequently and 40 Lbs. occasionally; stand, reach, climb, and lift frequently.


• Must be able work with others and coordinate cross-contamination prevention with co-workers.


• Must work with minimum supervision.


• Must have an excellent attendance record, reliable and flexible when seasonal work is occasionally required.


• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.

 Physical Demands

The physical demands 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.

• Must be able to lift to 25 Lbs. (Continuously)


•  Must be able to lift to 40 Lbs.  (Frequently) and exert force up to 50 Lbs. (Occasionally)


• Stand (Frequently)


• Walking (Frequently)


• Sitting (Frequently)


• Use hands to finger, handle or feel (Continuously)


• Reach with hands and arms (Continuously)


• Climb or balance (Continuously)


• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl (Frequently)


• Talk or hear (Continuously)


• Plant environment may be subject to extreme temperatures with exposure to water, chemical usage, heath and heavy noise.


• Constant water and chemical contact. (With correct gear).


• High pressure hoses.


• Hot sanitation water of 150 degrees F.


• Work near moving mechanical parts (continuously)


• Vibration (Frequently)


• Moderate noise (Continuously)


• Extreme environment temperature changes: As hot as 85 degrees and as low as 35 degrees F.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Document Use: Prepares various reports and forms to document cleaning schedule, able to read documents and diagrams.

Must write all sanitation records as per QA guidelines.

Job Task Planning and Organizing:

Be prepared for any unexpected changes that may occur during the shift and report to immediate supervisor any deviations or unsafe environment.

Decision Making:

Ability to best perform a task, manage time efficiently, use appropriate equipment, and efficiently deal with a problem should one arise.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret documents in English such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Spanish speaking a plus.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICE

The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors, and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The Employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business or the work environment change.

Truck drivers must be able to pass a standard drug test and qualify as being "drug‑free" under the legal and medical guidelines permitted by the Drug‑Free Workplace Act of 1988.” All other employees not subject to the U.S. Department of Transportation drug and alcohol rules and comparable state laws, must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test, which will not screen for non-psychoactive cannabis metabolites.

Northgate Markets is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Your Right to Work – In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

Northgate Markets will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Ban the Box Law).