What does a sanitizer do?
It is the job of a sanitizer to clean, disassemble, and reassemble processing equipment. Sanitizers clean based on the established specifications and guidelines and make certain that the equipment is operational in the production. They prepare and manage the equipment and chemicals used for sanitation. Their job entails the creation and maintenance of extensive databases to determine raw materials, release finish product testing, and in-process testing results.
Sanitizer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real sanitizer resumes:
- Manage the receipt and tracking of control substances as well as the DEA biennial inspection.
- Clean grinders, augers, line equipment for raw meat processing for pet food products.
- Follow all GMP and FDA rules and regulations to ensure food contamination/ cross contamination doesn't occur
- Assure quality, complete all paper work, and comply with all safety and GMP standard.
- Clean and prepare mixers and production lines, food allergen cleaning for dairy and nut allergen.
- Confirm that lines are cleaned in accordance with USDA and proper chemicals are used on specific equipment.
- Ensure machines are clean and sanitize from chicken fat and other chicken parts for inspection by USDA.
- Experience with product changeovers (e.g., CIP, flavor changes, sanitizing, setting formulas, etc . )
- Monitor filters, steamers, extrude blancher, heat seal/click clock, hot wax sealer, and machine operator.
- Rinse, foam, scrub, and sanitize equipment ensuring that all areas meet the company's standards of acceptability.
- Work many aspects here from stacking product in cooler to making product and running CIP system for cleaning tanks and lines.
- Maintain highest level of sanitation standards through daily general cleaning, in depth and detail cleaning industrial mixers and storage bins.
- Learned how to use a RF gun for the retail department and also learned how to return items in the returns department
- Ensure thorough cleanliness of manufacturing facility and grounds.
- Maintain sanitation and cleanliness and organization of department areas and equipment.
Sanitizer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Sanitizers are proficient in Food Safety, Production Equipment, and Power Washers. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Time-management skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Sanitizers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Food Safety, 12%
Clean and sanitize commercial/industrial baking equipment according to food safety guidelines.
- Production Equipment, 7%
Mixed and monitored right amounts of chemicals required to maintain solutions levels and concentrations used for cleaning production equipment.
- Power Washers, 5%
Sanitized the whole warehouse, used chemicals, power washers, power hoses.
- Ladders, 5%
Stooped, climbed ladders and lifted heavy loads during set-up for production assembly.
- GMP, 4%
Insured compliance with all specifications according to USDA, QA, and GMP protocols.
- Cleanliness, 4%
Ensured thorough cleanliness of manufacturing facility and grounds.
Most sanitizers use their skills in "food safety," "production equipment," and "power washers" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential sanitizer responsibilities here:
Mechanical skills. One of the key soft skills for a sanitizer to have is mechanical skills. You can see how this relates to what sanitizers do because "janitors and building cleaners need to understand general building operations and should be able to make routine repairs, such as to leaky faucets." Additionally, a sanitizer resume shows how sanitizers use mechanical skills: "adjust, clean, and lubricate mechanical parts of machines, using hand tools and grease guns. "
Time-management skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling sanitizer duties is time-management skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "janitors and building cleaners must plan and complete tasks in a timely manner." According to a sanitizer resume, here's how sanitizers can utilize time-management skills in their job responsibilities: "followed safety guidelines and meeting production deadlines. "
Physical strength. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of sanitizers is physical strength. This skill is critical to many everyday sanitizer duties, as "janitors and building cleaners often must lift and move heavy cleaning materials and equipment." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "used industrial strength cleaners and high pressure washers to clean and sanitize production equipment. "
The three companies that hire the most sanitizers are:
- Sysco155 sanitizers jobs
- Hannaford Supermarkets77 sanitizers jobs
- H-E-B71 sanitizers jobs
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Compare different sanitizers
Sanitizer vs. Carpet technician
A floor technician's role is to maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of various areas within an establishment. Their responsibilities include operating cleaning equipment, conducting minimal repairs and inventory checks, arranging furniture and fixtures, organizing supplies, and keeping floors free from obstructions. There are also instances where they must replenish soap or tissue dispensers, use strong chemicals, and even dispose of hazardous waste. Furthermore, a floor technician follows directives from managers or supervisors, reporting to them should there be any issues.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a sanitizer are more likely to require skills like "food safety," "production equipment," "power washers," and "ladders." On the other hand, a job as a carpet technician requires skills like "upholstery," "customer service," "clean carpets," and "carpet care." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that carpet technicians earn slightly differ from sanitizers. In particular, carpet technicians are 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a sanitizer. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sanitizer vs. Floor technician
The duties of floor staff depend on their line of work or industry of employment. In restaurants and similar establishments, floor staff is in charge of performing support tasks for the wait staff. They typically serve food to patrons, clean and set tables, help in processing payments, monitor the supplies, and maintain the cleanliness of different areas. They may also assist customers by escorting them to their tables, answering inquiries, and delivering their bills. Furthermore, should there be any problems, the floor staff must report to the manager right away.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, sanitizer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "food safety," "production equipment," "ladders," and "gmp." Meanwhile, a floor technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "extraction," "patients," "safety guidelines," and "safety precautions." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Floor technicians earn a lower average salary than sanitizers. But floor technicians earn the highest pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $31,091. Additionally, sanitizers earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $38,450 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Floor technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than sanitizers. In fact, they're 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sanitizer vs. Floor staff
A custodian, also referred to as janitor, is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and helping protect all facilities. Custodians make sure everything is clean, neat, in order, and free from clutter and safe. They perform routine maintenance tasks and heavy cleaning duties. They do everyday things to sweep floors, mop, scrub, vacuum, collect and empty trash, dust furniture, walls, and equipment. They mix solutions and chemicals in containers based on proportions for disinfecting windows, mirrors, and other partitions requiring cleaning. Some also do minor building maintenance and light repairs, while others are exposed to biohazardous materials.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, sanitizers are more likely to have skills like "food safety," "production equipment," "power washers," and "ladders." But a floor staff is more likely to have skills like "pos," "phone calls," "math," and "emergency situations."
Most floor staff achieve a similar degree level compared to sanitizers. For example, they're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sanitizer vs. Custodian
Types of sanitizer
Updated January 8, 2025
