Overview
Quality Inspector Jobs in Santa Ana, CA at Jobma
Overall Job Function:
The Meat Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for ensuring the consistent quality, safety, and compliance of meat products throughout the production, packaging, and distribution processes. This role ensures that products meet internal standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations by performing inspections, monitoring processes, and implementing quality control systems. This role plays a key part in maintaining USDA-FSIS compliance, implementing HACCP programs, and overseeing daily quality checks within production. The specialist supports both plant-level and regulatory initiatives to ensure safe, high-quality meat products are delivered to customer.
Essential Job Functions:
Monitor and evaluate the quality of meat products at various production stages (receiving, processing, packaging, and shipping)
Monitor production operations to verify compliance with USDA-FSIS regulations, HACCP plans, and company quality standards
Assist in developing and maintaining HACCP, SSOP, and GMP programs.
Conduct sensory, physical, and microbial testing as needed.
Ensure compliance with food safety regulations such as USDA, HACCP, FSIS, and company standards.
Maintain documentation for quality checks, non-conformances, and corrective actions.
Assist with internal and external audits (e.g., USDA, SQF, BRC).
Train production staff on quality and food safety procedures.
Investigate customer complaints and non-conforming product issues
Recommend and help implement continuous improvement strategies in production and quality processes.
Maintain calibration and cleanliness of testing equipment and tools.
Stay current with changes in food safety regulations and industry trends.
Support USDA inspectors during plant visits; prepare documentation and assist with corrective actions as needed.
Perform root cause analyses for quality and compliance issues; implement and verify corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
Review and verify product labels to ensure regulatory compliance for claims, ingredients, and nutritional information.
Maintain detailed records of quality checks, deviations, and audit findings.
Participate in internal audits and third-party inspections; help prepare audit documentation.
Provide ongoing training to production staff on food safety and quality procedures.
Work cross-functionally with operations, sanitation, and regulatory teams to maintain food safety culture and compliance.
Competencies:
Effective customer service skills.
Detail-oriented with a high level of organizational skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Supports a consistent professional image of the company.
Observes safety policy and procedure as an absolute.
Strong work ethic with a high level of integrity.
Commitment to dependability and willingness to work to meet goals and deadlines.
Ability to work in a collaborative environment to problem solve and find solutions.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in food science, Animal Science, Microbiology, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
2+ years of experience in a food manufacturing or meat processing environment preferred.
Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and USDA/FSIS regulations
Strong attention to detail and analytical skills
Ability to work in cold environments and perform physical inspections.
Good communication skills for reporting and cross-functional collaboration.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with quality management systems (QMS) is a plus.
Certification in HACCP or SQF Practitioner is preferred
Work Requirements:
This position is based in a fast-paced agricultural setting and is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and vibrations. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, and airborne particles. The noise level is usually moderate but occasionally may be loud. PPE will be provided and must be utilized according to safety standards. Typical working hours are 7am – 4pm with some extended hours during the busy season.
While performing job functions the employee will be required to talk and hear most of the time. The employee will spend frequent intervals moving and sitting, while also needing to reach, bend, twist, crawl, crouch, stoop or kneel. The employee will need to be able to lift up to 50 pounds frequently and maneuver on and off mobile equipment. The physicality of this job is high.
FCS job descriptions are a representation of a job requirements knowledge, skills, and abilities. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Benefits:
401k Company matches 50% up to 10%
PTO after 30 days of employment
Company bonus incentive
Excellent health insurance plans
Dental & Vision available
Short & Long Term Disability provided at no cost to you
Life Insurance
Identity Theft Insurance
Accident Insurance
Clothing Allowance
10% Discount on purchases at the How-To Building Center
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Title: Quality Inspector
Company: Jobma
Location: Santa Ana, CA
