Sanitation Specialist

Materials Handler & Sanitation Specialist - Full Time - Days

Company Overview:

Cayuga Health is the region's leading healthcare system, and most trusted driver of integrated health services, together with valued partners. We empower our people and employ our capabilities to equitably improve the well-being of the communities we serve. At Cayuga Health System, our commitment to providing extraordinary health care begins with our team. Our extraordinary professionals are continuously discovering clinical innovations and enhanced access to the most up-to-date facilities, equipment, technologies, and research protocols. We have a commitment to its employees by providing competitive rates and compensation, a comprehensive employee benefits programs, attractive working conditions, and the chance to build and explore a career opportunity by offering professional development.

Nestled in the beautiful Finger Lakes region, Cayuga Health provides an outstanding place to work in a vibrant community. Come discover all that Ithaca, New York and Cayuga Health has to offer!

Position Overview:

The Materials Handler is responsible for inventory management, procurement support, receiving, storage, and distribution of food and non-food supplies for the Nutrition Services Department. This position maintains appropriate inventory levels using Just-in-Time purchasing principles while ensuring product quality, regulatory compliance, and efficient departmental operations.

In addition, this position serves as the department's sanitation specialist by maintaining a clean, safe, and survey-ready environment throughout all storage, receiving, and support areas. The Materials Handler assists with sanitation monitoring, regulatory compliance, infection prevention practices, and environmental readiness in accordance with Department of Health (DOH), CMS, OSHA, Joint Commission, and departmental standards.

What you'll do:

Inventory & Receiving

• Conduct daily inventories and maintain established par levels.
• Place food and non-food supply orders while minimizing waste and excess inventory.
• Receive, inspect, verify, and properly store all deliveries using FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory rotation.
• Inspect deliveries for quality, temperature, damage, expiration dates, and accuracy prior to acceptance.
• Coordinate vendor credits and replacements for damaged, missing, incorrect, or poor-quality products.
• Monitor inventory for quality, shelf life, and stock rotation.
• Assist with emergency preparedness inventory and supply management.
• Escalate procurement issues, shortages, or supply chain concerns to leadership.

Sanitation & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain clean, organized, and survey-ready storage areas, receiving docks, coolers, freezers, chemical storage areas, and supply rooms.
• Complete daily, weekly, monthly, and deep-cleaning assignments according to departmental schedules and proactively on an as-need basis.
• Monitor storage areas for compliance with food safety standards, including proper food separation, labeling, FIFO rotation, pallet storage, aisle clearance, sprinkler head clearance, pest prevention, chemical storage, and temperature requirements.
• Ensure receiving and storage areas remain clean throughout deliveries and are restored to sanitary condition following truck unloading.
• Remove cardboard, pallets, recyclables, and waste promptly to reduce fire, pest, and safety hazards.
• Identify and report sanitation, maintenance, safety, pest control, or regulatory concerns requiring corrective action.
• Assist with product recalls, storage audits, temperature monitoring, inventory audits, and survey preparation activities.
• Maintain documentation required for sanitation, receiving, and inventory processes.
• Safely operate pallet jacks, carts, and other material handling equipment.
• May be required to travel off-site to obtain supplies or products when operationally necessary.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education - High School Diploma or GED
• Experience - Minimum of 1 year in a similar role
• Licensure - Not required

Preferred Qualifications:

• ServSafe Food Handler Certification (preferred) or ability to obtain within six months.
• Knowledge of healthcare food safety regulations, sanitation practices, inventory control, and receiving procedures.
• Experience preparing for regulatory surveys and maintaining survey readiness.
• Experience with inventory or purchasing software or vendor websites

Physical Requirements:

• Standing for long periods of time, lifting up to 50 pounds, sitting, pushing, pulling and reaching. May be exposed to areas of extreme heat or cold. Primary work location may include loud noises, wet and slippery conditions, exposure to sharp objects. A licensed ability to drive may be necessary.

Travel Requirements:

• Onsite - Schuyler Hospital - 220 Steuben Street Montour Falls, NY 14865
  • May be required to travel off-site to obtain supplies or products when operationally necessary.

Pay Range Disclosure:

• $17.00 to $23.00 per hour

At this time Cayuga Health System will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

If you are interested in applying for this position and you require an accommodation, please contact Cayuga Health System at hr@cayugamed.org

Cayuga Health System Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Cayuga Health System commits to treating all people with dignity so that everyone who comes to us is safe, cared for, and respected. We will support the growth of our employees and the health of our community by embracing the rich diversity of social and cultural identities, needs, and life circumstances of all people. We strive to recognize and overcome personal biases and systemic policies that marginalize others and contribute to disparities in healthcare access, equitable care, and good health outcomes.

Cayuga Health is dedicated to our vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion. As we strive towards our vision, we welcome the opportunity to work alongside a diverse range of employees.