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Food Inspector Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Packer Inspector

Romeoville, IL ยท On-site

$23.95/hr

Inspector/Packer personnel report to the Shift Leader. Reasonable Accommodations Statement To ... Food Regulatory and Customer Specifications * Responsible for scrap, efficiency, and product ...

Packer Inspector

Romeoville, IL ยท On-site

$23.95/hr

Inspector/Packer personnel report to the Shift Leader. Reasonable Accommodations Statement To ... Food Regulatory and Customer Specifications * Responsible for scrap, efficiency, and product ...

Packer Inspector

Romeoville, IL ยท On-site

$23.95/hr

Inspector/Packer personnel report to the Shift Leader. Reasonable Accommodations Statement To ... Food Regulatory and Customer Specifications * Responsible for scrap, efficiency, and product ...

Packer Inspector

Romeoville, IL ยท On-site

$23.95/hr

Inspector/Packer personnel report to the Shift Leader. Reasonable Accommodations Statement To ... Food Regulatory and Customer Specifications * Responsible for scrap, efficiency, and product ...

Actively participate in regulatory inspection readiness, processes and corrective actions * Monitor critical limits with daily checks of refrigeration, sanitation chemicals, dish machine operation ...

Inspector

Downers Grove, IL ยท On-site

$23.50 - $28.75/hr

The Inspector supports the Quality Control Supervisor and/or Quality Assurance Manager with all aspects related to control and inspection, involving but not limited to: Measuring parts with the ...

Proven experience in manufacturing quality control or inspection roles within regulated industries such as medical devices or food production. * Strong knowledge of quality systems including ISO 9001 ...

Quality Inspector - Third Shift

Manteno, IL ยท On-site

$24 - $25.50/hr

Proven experience in manufacturing quality control or inspection roles within regulated industries such as medical devices or food production. * Strong knowledge of quality systems including ISO 9001 ...

Inspector

Downers Grove, IL ยท On-site

$23.50 - $28.75/hr

The Inspector supports the Quality Control Supervisor and/or Quality Assurance Manager with all aspects related to control and inspection, involving but not limited to: Measuring parts with the ...

Be Seen First

Packer/ Inspector for Plastic Injection Molding Facility HQC Inc - Oswego, IL Starting Pay: $19.50 ... We operate a clean modern air-conditioned facility making parts for food packaging, medical devices ...

The Quality Inspector performs a thorough inspection of every trailer by comparing trailer to inspection criteria and sales order and recording defects onto iPad and Traveler. The inspector ...

The Quality Inspector performs a thorough inspection of every trailer by comparing trailer to inspection criteria and sales order and recording defects onto iPad and Traveler. The inspector ...

Inspector

Naperville, IL ยท On-site

$23 - $28/hr

Inspect, test, or measure materials, products, installations, and work for conformance to specifications. * Record inspection or test data, such as weights, temperatures, grades, or moisture content ...

The Quality Inspector performs a thorough inspection of every trailer by comparing trailer to inspection criteria and sales order and recording defects onto iPad and Traveler. The inspector ...

Quality Inspector

Harvey, IL ยท On-site

$28/hr

Harvey, IL - On-site Integrity Trade Services is hiring a Quality Inspector for our manufacturing industry client to start 08/03/2026 at $28.00/hour. Receive comprehensive benefits through ITS upon ...

Quality Inspector

Elwood, IL ยท On-site

$20/hr

Entry-Level Quality Inspector Company: Road & Rail Services Pay: $20.00 per hour Job Type: Full-Time Schedule: Wednesday-Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Work Environment: On-site and primarily outdoors ...

Showing results 21-40

Food Inspector information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$11.3K

$42K

$64.9K

How much do food inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for food inspector in Chicago, IL is $42,014.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,600.00 and $44,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food inspector?

To thrive as a Food Inspector, you need a solid understanding of food safety regulations, microbiology, and public health, usually supported by a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with inspection tools, laboratory testing equipment, and reporting systems is essential for effective monitoring and documentation. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong communication skills help Food Inspectors identify risks and collaborate with various stakeholders. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure public safety, regulatory compliance, and the integrity of the food supply chain.

What are some common challenges food inspectors face during inspections, and how can they effectively address them?

Food Inspectors often encounter challenges such as non-compliance with safety regulations, language barriers with facility staff, and time constraints when inspecting multiple sites. To address these issues, inspectors rely on clear communication, detailed checklists, and ongoing training to stay current with evolving food safety standards. Building rapport with facility personnel and maintaining a thorough, objective approach helps ensure that all issues are identified and resolved efficiently, ultimately protecting public health.

What is the difference between Food Inspector vs Food Safety Officer?

AspectFood InspectorFood Safety Officer
Required CredentialsDegree in Food Technology, Microbiology, or related field; certification may be requiredSimilar qualifications as Food Inspector; often requires additional training in food safety standards
Work EnvironmentInspecting food production units, markets, and restaurantsOverseeing food safety compliance, conducting audits, and public awareness
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, food manufacturing, and inspection departmentsGovernment health departments, regulatory agencies, and food industry

Both Food Inspectors and Food Safety Officers work to ensure food quality and safety, often with overlapping roles. Food Inspectors primarily focus on inspecting food establishments and products, while Food Safety Officers handle broader compliance and public health initiatives. The roles are complementary, with similar qualifications and work environments, but differ slightly in scope and responsibilities.

What is a food inspector?

A food inspector makes sure that all food produced at a farm, processing plant, slaughterhouse, or other food production facility meets rigorous health and safety requirements before shipment. As a food inspector, your duties include performing physical inspections of the food, investigating health, sanitation, and safety practices at a facility, and writing reports based off of your investigations and interviews. You must be able to notice any potential for bacterial or other contamination and be willing to stop production to uphold public safety.

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Food Inspector jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Food Inspector job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Inspector job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,014 per year, or $20.2 per hour.

2nd Shift Bilingual Plant Supervisor

The Reserves Network Inc

Aurora, IL โ€ข On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Plant Supervisor (Bilingual) | Aurora, IL | 2nd Shift | Direct Hire | $70,000–$75,000 per year
What Matters Most
  • Competitive Pay: $70,000–$75,000 annually
  • Schedule: 2nd Shift
  • Location: Aurora, Illinois
  • Direct Hire opportunity with career growth and long-term stability
  • Weekly Pay via direct deposit or pay card
  • Work with The Reserves Network: Access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plan, referral bonuses, and more
Job Description
The Reserves Network is seeking an experienced Plant Supervisor to oversee daily food inspection operations at a busy manufacturing facility in Aurora, Illinois. This 2nd Shift, Direct Hire leadership role is responsible for supervising 20–40 production employees, ensuring production schedules, inspection goals, quality standards, food safety requirements, and OSHA regulations are consistently met while maintaining efficient plant operations.
The ideal candidate will have prior supervisory experience within the food manufacturing industry, strong leadership abilities, and a solid understanding of GMP, FDA regulations, HACCP, sanitation programs, and continuous process improvement. This position requires excellent communication, organization, problem-solving, and team development skills in a fast-paced production environment.
Responsibilities
  • Supervise daily inspection operations to ensure productivity, quality, and customer requirements are achieved.
  • Monitor compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety standards; communicate non-compliance and recommend corrective actions.
  • Manage and maintain Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) and recommend improvements when needed.
  • Oversee Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) programs and ensure compliance throughout inspection operations.
  • Monitor X-ray, contaminant detection, and inspection line operations to ensure adherence to sanitation and food safety procedures.
  • Coordinate corrective actions with inspection line leadership and document completed actions.
  • Review inspection reports, seed logs, temperature logs, and contaminant retrieval reports for accuracy and compliance.
  • Ensure approved cleaning products are properly stored and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are maintained and accessible.
  • Monitor pest management activities and coordinate service needs with plant leadership.
  • Implement and maintain deep cleaning schedules for warehouse areas, inspection equipment, forklifts, trailers, and facility infrastructure.
  • Conduct new hire and annual training related to SSOPs, GMPs, and operational procedures for production employees.
  • Provide hands-on support on inspection lines as operational needs require.
  • Create and maintain project documentation for incoming customer work and coordinate workflow with warehouse administration.
  • Plan, schedule, organize, and monitor daily production activities to maximize efficiency.
  • Coach employees, resolve performance concerns, and assist with attendance, safety, and employee relations matters.
  • Verify outbound products meet company quality standards before shipment.
Job Qualifications
  • High School Diploma or equivalent required.
  • 3–5 years of production or plant supervisory experience within the food manufacturing industry.
  • Strong knowledge of GMPs, FDA regulations, HACCP, and sanitation programs.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
  • Knowledge of 5S methodology preferred.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Strong leadership, communication, planning, scheduling, organization, negotiation, and people management skills.
  • Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment while managing multiple priorities.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Six Sigma certification is preferred but not required.
  • Experience supervising food inspection, quality assurance, or food safety operations.
  • Experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
  • Previous experience leading employee training and development programs.
Physical Requirements
  • Ability to stand for extended periods.
  • Frequently bend, twist, reach, push, pull, and grasp throughout the workday.
  • Ability to lift up to 40 pounds without assistance.
Benefits and Perks
  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Company-Paid Life Insurance
  • 401(k) with Company Match
  • Paid Workers Leave
  • Potential Performance Bonuses
  • Career Advancement Opportunities
  • Stable, team-oriented work environment focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence
The Reserves Network, a veteran-founded and family-owned company, specializes in connecting exceptional talent with rewarding opportunities. With extensive industry experience, we are dedicated to helping you achieve your professional goals and shine in your field. The Reserves Network values diversity and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, we foster an environment of respect, integrity, and trust in every aspect of employment.
We are committed to pay transparency. The base salary range for this position is $70,000–$75,000 annually, excluding benefits, bonuses, or other compensation. Your final salary will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, location, and internal pay equity. Please note that hiring at the top of the range is uncommon to allow room for future salary growth.