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Candy Tester Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Candy Tester information

See Florida salary details

$10

$13

$16

How much do candy tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for candy tester in Florida is $13.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.21 and $14.90 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a candy tester?

A Candy Tester is responsible for tasting and evaluating various types of candies to assess their flavor, texture, appearance, and overall quality. They provide feedback to help candy manufacturers refine recipes and improve products before they reach the market. This role requires a keen sense of taste, attention to detail, and sometimes knowledge of food science. Some positions may also involve reviewing packaging or suggesting improvements.

What does a candy tester do?

A typical day as a Candy Tester involves sampling new and existing candies, recording detailed observations on taste, texture, appearance, and aroma, and providing constructive feedback to product development teams. You may attend team meetings to discuss findings, collaborate with food scientists and marketers, and help refine recipes based on consumer preferences. The work environment is usually a mix of individual sensory evaluations and collaborative sessions in a quality control lab or test kitchen. You'll also need to adhere to hygiene protocols and manage palate fatigue by pacing tastings throughout the day. This role offers a unique blend of hands-on tasting and meaningful contribution to the creation of new sweet products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a candy tester?

To thrive as a Candy Tester, you need a keen sense of taste and smell, the ability to distinguish subtle flavor notes, and an understanding of food safety and quality control standards. Familiarity with tasting protocols, sensory evaluation forms, and sometimes basic lab equipment is helpful in this role. Attention to detail, strong communication skills, and an open-minded approach to trying new products are valuable soft skills for success. These abilities ensure that products are accurately evaluated for flavor, texture, and appearance, contributing to quality assurance in the confectionery industry.

How do you become a candy tester?

To become a candy tester, individuals typically need a keen sense of taste and smell, attention to detail, and sometimes prior experience in food testing or quality assurance. Many roles require passing taste tests and working in controlled environments, with some positions offering training on product evaluation and safety protocols.

What are the most commonly searched types of Candy Tester jobs in Florida?

The most popular types of Candy Tester jobs in Florida are:

What are popular job titles related to Candy Tester jobs in Florida?

For Candy Tester jobs in Florida, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Candy Tester job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, and 60% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $28,426 per year, or $13.7 per hour.

Quality Release Lab Technician

Atlantic Candy Company

Saint Augustine, FL • On-site

$17.25 - $21.75/hr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

The Quality Assurance Technician, Release Lab is independently responsible for incoming material testing, finished product testing coordination, and final product certification and release in compliance with NSF/ANSI 455-2, 21 CFR Parts 111 and 117, and the internal Quality Management System. This role serves as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) and technical owner of Release Laboratory operations, maintaining objectivity and independent Quality authority separate from Production. The position supports all compliance audits.

Responsibilities:
  • Oversee receiving documentation and shipment conditions to ensure regulatory and internal compliance
  • Perform or coordinate incoming inspection and testing of raw materials, ingredients, and packaging components
  • Review supplier Certificates of Analysis and Conformance against approved specifications
  • Assign material status (approved, conditional release, or quality hold) and document decisions in controlled Quality records
  • Coordinate internal and thirdparty finished product testing, including microbiological, heavy metals, solvents, potency, and identity testing
  • Perform final Quality review and product release prior to shipment
  • Issue and maintain Certificates of Analysis, Certificates of Conformance, and conditional release documentation
  • Own and execute calibration and verification programs for Quality and production measurement equipment.
  • Own, implement, and maintain company required calibration.
  • Maintain calibration schedules, records, and outoftolerance investigations
  • Develop, maintain, and implement Release Lab SOPs including sampling, testing, retain handling, and release activities
  • Own and Lead development and maintenance of raw material (including component/packaging) specifications and internal CoAs.
  • Serve as technical reviewer for incoming material CoAs and Receiving Paperwork.
  • Support supplier qualification and material change evaluations in collaboration with Purchasing and Supplier Quality
  • Assist in the maintenance of HACCP and Food Defense Plans
  • Assist in the coordination of environmental monitoring and special condition testing as required
  • Establish and maintain retain sample systems for raw materials, bulk, and finished products
  • Train personnel on Release Lab SOPs, testing, sampling, and documentation practices
  • Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits
  • Participate in deviations, investigations, and CAPA activities
  • Communicate testing status, results, and release decisions to internal stakeholders
  • Ensure compliance with cGMP, Food Safety, and Food Defense guidelines at all times
  • Complete annual food defense training and ensure food safety practices when entering production area
  • All other duties as assigned
  • Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Quality, Science, or related discipline preferred; equivalent experience accepted
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience in Quality Assurance or laboratorybased release functions in a regulated manufacturing environment
  • Demonstrated experience with incoming and finished product testing, CoA/CoC release, calibration programs, and SOP development
  • Working knowledge of NSF/ANSI 4552, GMPs, and FDA regulations (21 CFR 111/117
  • Physical Requirements:
  • This position requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The assigned personnel must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and rarely lift or move up to 25 pounds.
  • The QA Release Lab may be required to travel to the offsite warehouse on occasion to review materials.
  • Active Confectionary is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation.

    We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.