Kitchen Sanitation & Support Associate

Job Position: Kitchen Sanitation & Support Associate

Wage: $15.00–$17.50 per hour

Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Location: Schaumburg, IL

Job Summary

As a Kitchen Sanitation & Support Associate, you will play a key role in maintaining a clean, organized, and efficient kitchen environment. This position supports daily culinary operations by ensuring all equipment, workspaces, and service areas meet sanitation and safety standards.

You will assist with cleaning, organization, and the movement of kitchen supplies, contributing to a smooth and productive workflow across the team.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness of kitchen tools, cookware, service items, and work areas using commercial sanitation equipment
• Ensure kitchen spaces, equipment, and utensils remain organized and in compliance with sanitation standards
• Assist with transporting supplies and equipment between storage and kitchen areas
• Support receiving activities, including loading and unloading deliveries
• Perform routine cleaning tasks such as sweeping, scrubbing floors, and sanitizing waste containers and surfaces
• Remove trash and place materials in designated collection areas

Required Qualifications

• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic and high energy level
• Experience using commercial or industrial cleaning/sanitation equipment
• Strong attention to detail and understanding of sanitation practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Previous experience in food service, hospitality, or a similar setting

Why We’re the Leaders

• Excellent training
• Employee Referral bonuses
• Flexible scheduling
• Career advancement opportunities
• Competitive Pay
• Anniversary Milestone Incentives

Company Benefits & Perks

• Paid Time Off
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance – Includes Spouse and Domestic Partner Coverage (Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D) & Critical Illness Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  1. Mental Health, Relationship Conflicts, Child and Eldercare, Substance Abuse, Grief and Loss
     • Assistance for you and household members
     • In Person Sessions
     • Unlimited phone access
• Parental Leave – Equal benefits to Mothers and Fathers
• 401K Retirement Plan
• FFT University - Over 70 courses designed to enhance your skills in life and on the job to help your career growth.
• Employee Meal Plan
• Employee Discounts (Pet Insurance, Entertainment, Travel, Company Discounts, and much more).

Company Values & Culture

• Collaboration & Open Communication

• Diverse, Inclusive, Safe, and Motivating

• Our Triple Bottom Line – People, Product and Planet

• A Net Positive Organization

Grow with us! - at Food For Thought, instruction, advice, and assistance are always readily available, which is why our average tenure is 5 years. The U.S. average is 4.3 years, while the Hospitality industry average is only 2 years!

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach at or below the shoulder; lift and carry items up to 50 pounds for a moderate distance.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand and move during the length of shift; be able to bend and kneel through the shift. The employee is required to use their hands to handle tools, grasp, and control objects. Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble items. The employee is continuously exposed to extreme temperatures. Working with knives, mincers, and other dangerous tools or equipment.

EEO Statement

Food For Thought provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

E-Verify Participation

Food For Thought participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS.