Find Jobs
Find Jobs Near You – Available Work in Your Location
Skip to job details
CP
Cardinal Personnel Services
Quality Control
Entry-Level JobVerifiedNo experience needed
Career Insights for Food / Agricultural Inspector
See where this job fits in the broader career landscape. Knowing your career path helps you see what's possible from here.
Scorecard
Based on California data
Review key factors to help you decide if this role fits your goals. How is this calculated?
What they do
A Food or Agricultural Inspector inspects food, processed food and food containers to be sure they are safe for consumers, or inspects animals, animal feed or crops to check for disease that could affect food supplies. Checks for compliance with private industry standards or federal food safety and agricultural regulations.
$49,166 / year median in California
+2% projected growth
Job Description
Job Summary :
As the foundational member of our Quality Control team, the QC Technician Level 1 plays a critical role in upholding food safety standards on the production floor. You will perform hands-on inspections, monitor critical control points, and document findings to ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) in our ready-to-eat (RTE) food facility. This entry-level position is ideal for detail-oriented individuals eager to grow in the food manufacturing industry.Key Responsibilities :
Daily Inspections:
Conduct routine GMP checks, including:- Verifying product weights and temperatures using calibrated scales and thermometers. o Inspecting sanitation conditions (e.g., equipment cleanliness, employee hygiene).
- Collecting and organizing retain samples for shelf-life testing.
Documentation:
Accurately record inspection data on paper logs or digital systems (e.g., Excel, QC software), ensuring traceability for audits.Issue Escalation:
Identify deviations (e.g., out-of-spec product, equipment malfunctions) and immediately notify supervisors to initiate corrective actions.Support Tasks:
Assist with label verification, pre-operation checks, and product cuttings for quality evaluation.- Other Duties as assigned Job-Related Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):
Knowledge :
- Basic understanding of food safety principles including HACCP, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
- Basic understanding of standard QC procedures including sampling, inspection, testing, and documentation.
- Familiarity with measurement tools (thermometers, scales). Job Description
- Basic knowledge of product specifications ( including weight, size, appearance, packaging, and labeling) and sensory evaluation (including visual inspection, visual and aroma assessments to detect deviations from product norms.).
- Awareness of
USDA/FDA
regulations for RTE products.- Basic Understanding of foreign material prevention programs.
Skills:
- Accurate data entry (paper/digital).
- Perform simple GMP inspections (e.g., weights, temperatures, titration, sanitation, daily cutting preparation, retain sample).
- Use of basic measuring tools (thermometers, scales).
- Attention to detail to spot non-conformities (e.g., packaging defects, incorrect labeling).
- Able to identify deviations from quality standards and escalate issues promptly to supervisors or QA personnel.
- Basic computer proficiency (Microsoft Office, data entry systems).
Abilities :
- Ability to follow written standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, inspection criteria, and precision.
- Communicate issues promptly to higher-level QC staff or supervisors.
- Follows production schedules as directed and prepares for assigned tasks with supervision.
- Completes assigned daily and weekly tasks within deadlines with direct supervision.
- Responds to radio communication within an acceptable timeframe when prompted or supervised.
- Willingness to learn and adapt to changing procedures, technologies, and quality standards.
- Willingness to work flexible schedules, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, or holidays, depending on production needs.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods, as required in a production environment.
- Capable of working safely and efficiently in a cold, wet, or hot manufacturing environment while wearing required PPE.
- Willing to cover the production floor to the level above during crises and able to step in different shifts as needed.
- Lift 50 lbs and stand for extended periods in wet/cold environments.
Qualifications :
Education:
- HS Diploma or equivalent.
Experience:
0-1 year in food industry, sanitation, or related field.Certifications:
- Food handler certificate (preferred).
Skills :
- Basic computer proficiency (Excel/Word), attention to detail, ability to follow SOPs.
Physical Requirements:
- Lift up to 50 lbs; stand for extended periods in cold/wet/hot environments.
Additional/Preferred:
- Bilingual in Spanish Physical Demands /
Environmental Conditions:
- The essential functions of the job and working conditions requires the individual to sit, walk, stand, stoop, bend, reach, lift, and usage of a computer and or mobile device.
Work Schedule:
- May require flexibility to include early mornings, afternoons, nights and weekends
Job Type:
Full-time Pay:
$20.00 per hourBenefits:
401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insuranceWork Location:
In personBenefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 401(k) Plans
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance