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Food Manufacturing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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food manufacturing lead

Gardena, CA ยท On-site

$22 - $26/hr

Job Overview We are looking for a Food Manufacturing Sanitation Lead to join our production team. In this role, you will be required to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene ...

Food Manufacturing Technician Pay Rate or Salary Range: $24.75 /hr. Benefits include health, dental, and vision (following 60 days of employment) Employment Type: Contract Est. End Date: TBD Schedule:

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... food manufacturing environment. This position supports continuous plant operations by minimizing downtime, maintaining equipment reliability, and ensuring compliance with food safety, GMP, HACCP, SQF ...

Controller - Food Mfg

Rancho Cucamonga, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $155K/yr

Overview We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Financial Controller to join our Food Manufacturing organization. In this role, you will oversee all financial operations, ensuring ...

Controller - Food Mfg

Rancho Cucamonga, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $155K/yr

Overview We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Financial Controller to join our Food Manufacturing organization. In this role, you will oversee all financial operations, ensuring ...

PM Sanitation Supervisor (Food Manufacturing) Department: Sanitation Reports To: Plant Manager / Operations Manager Shift: PM / Overnight FLSA Status: Exempt or Non-Exempt (based on classification ...

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Showing results 1-20

Food Manufacturing information

See California salary details

$43.4K

$98.8K

$134.7K

How much do food manufacturing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for food manufacturing in California is $98,847.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,400.00 and $120,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is food manufacturing?

Food manufacturing is the process of transforming raw ingredients into finished food products through various methods such as processing, packaging, and distribution. This industry includes everything from large-scale production of packaged goods to specialized food items. Food manufacturing ensures that products meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards before reaching consumers. It involves numerous roles, including machine operators, quality assurance specialists, and food scientists, all working together to produce safe and consistent food products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in food manufacturing, and why are they important?

To excel in Food Manufacturing, strong knowledge of food safety standards, quality control, and production processes is essential, often supported by relevant certifications such as HACCP or SQF. Familiarity with manufacturing equipment, automated production systems, and inventory management software is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective problem-solving are crucial soft skills for maintaining efficiency and product quality. These competencies ensure safe, consistent, and high-standard food production in a regulated, fast-paced environment.

What is the difference between food manufacturing and food processing?

There is one significant difference between food processing and food manufacturing, and that is what each industry does with a given food product. Food processing is taking a raw product and turning it into an ingredient, like turning vanilla beans into vanilla extract, whereas food manufacturers purchase ingredients and use them within a product, like taking the vanilla extract and using it to make cookies. Both industries work primarily in plant or factory settings, and sometimes food processing and manufacturing is done on the same site, but the duties of manufacturers versus processors differ in their day-to-day operations.

What are common challenges faced by professionals in food manufacturing, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in food manufacturing often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict quality control, adhering to food safety regulations, and meeting high production demands. These challenges can be addressed by staying current with industry standards, participating in ongoing training, and working closely with quality assurance and maintenance teams. Effective communication and collaboration across departments are essential for quickly resolving issues and ensuring smooth production processes.

What is the difference between Food Manufacturing vs Food Processing Worker?

AspectFood ManufacturingFood Processing Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; certifications varyHigh school diploma or equivalent; some certifications may be required
Work EnvironmentFactories, production lines, industrial settingsFactories, production lines, industrial settings
Industry UsageUsed broadly across food production companiesSpecific to processing tasks within food manufacturing
Job FocusOverseeing entire production processes or specific stagesPerforming specific processing tasks like cutting, packaging

Food Manufacturing and Food Processing Worker roles are closely related, often working in the same environments. Food Manufacturing covers a broader scope, including overseeing entire production lines, while Food Processing Workers focus on specific tasks like packaging or preparing food products. Both roles require similar credentials and are essential in the food industry.

Is food manufacturing a good career?

Food manufacturing is a stable career that offers opportunities in production, quality control, and management. It often requires attention to safety standards, technical skills, and sometimes certifications, with work environments that can be fast-paced and physically demanding.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Manufacturing jobs in California?

The most popular types of Food Manufacturing jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Food Manufacturing jobs?

Cities in California with the most Food Manufacturing job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Manufacturing job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,847 per year, or $47.5 per hour.

Food Manager - Manufacturing

National Food Manufacturing Company

Gardena, CA โ€ข On-site

$65K - $98K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

We’re looking for a hands-on Food Manager to lead safe, efficient food production and assembly operations in a fast-paced 24/7 food manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for ensuring daily production is completed on time, to customer specifications, and in compliance with HACCP, food safety, company, and safety standards.

You’ll manage and develop supervisors and team members, drive standard work and continuous improvement, monitor KPIs, and partner with operations leadership to maintain quality, productivity, and high team morale.

This position is based in Los Angeles, CA and requires flexibility to support a 24/7 operation, including some weekends and nights as needed.

Functions and Responsibilities

  • Lead daily food production and assembly operations to ensure customer specifications, quality standards, and production schedules are met
  • Ensure compliance with HACCP, food hygiene, company policies, OSHA, and workplace safety requirements
  • Manage supervisors and frontline team members across shifts, including coaching, training, scheduling, and performance management
  • Monitor adherence to standard work, job instructions, and process standards throughout the operation
  • Create, review, and improve standard work, training materials, and learning checklists for key roles
  • Track labor usage, productivity, waste, schedule adherence, customer complaints, and other operational KPIs
  • Lead continuous improvement activities, including 5S, daily problem solving, Kaizen, and visual management
  • Coordinate shift handovers, production schedules, staffing plans, rosters, holidays, and prioritization of daily work
  • Maintain stock rotation, date/code controls, and product handling practices to reduce waste and ensure service accuracy

Qualifications & Educational Requirements

  • Experience leading teams in food production, airline catering, assembly, logistics, or a similar fast-paced operations environment
  • Strong knowledge of food safety, food hygiene, HACCP, OSHA, and safe work practices; ServSafe certification preferred
  • Proven ability to train, coach, schedule, and develop supervisors and frontline team members
  • Experience with Lean practices, 5S, Kaizen, standard work, KPI tracking, and continuous improvement preferred
  • Analytical, organized, and detail-oriented with strong follow-up, communication, and people-management skills
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office; bilingual English/Spanish preferred
  • College degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and relevant operations leadership experience

Join us in our mission to uphold the highest standards of quality in our products while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. We look forward to your application!

Company Description

We are a well-established food manufacturing company seeking an experience Food Manager to oversee production, food safety, team leadership and operational excellence in a fast-paced environment. The confidential search is for a leadership opportunity with strong growth potential.