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Food Quality Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Quality Control Technician

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$20 - $25.75/hr

The Quality Control Technician is responsible for supporting the Food Safety and Quality Assurance team by ensuring products consistently meet company, customer, regulatory, and food safety standards.

Comply with SQF, Food Safety Plan (HACCP), Food Quality Plan (FQP) standards. * Conduct thorough and detailed quality audits of lines to ensure products meet established quality standards.

Quality Assurance Specialist I Location: Manassas, VA 20109 Duration: Temp to Hire - 6 months ... Preferred Skills: · Experience in food, beverage, or dietary supplement manufacturing environments ...

Bachelor's degree in food science or a related field or 3 years or more managing quality and food safety operations, programs, and staff in a sous-vide food manufacturing environment. * Minimum of 2 ...

Bachelor 's degree in food science or a related field or 3 years or more managing quality and food safety operations, programs, and staff in a sous-vide food manufacturing environment.Minimum of 2 ...

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Food Quality information

See Washington salary details

$15

$24

$35

How much do food quality jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for food quality in Washington is $24.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $25.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is food quality and why is it important?

Food quality refers to the characteristics of food that are acceptable to consumers, including safety, taste, appearance, texture, and nutritional value. Ensuring high food quality is important because it helps protect public health, enhances customer satisfaction, and meets regulatory standards. Food quality professionals monitor processes, test products, and implement standards to prevent contamination and maintain consistency. By maintaining high food quality, companies build trust with consumers and reduce the risk of recalls or legal issues.

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

To excel in Food Quality, you need a solid understanding of food safety standards, quality control processes, and relevant regulations, usually supported by a degree in food science or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory testing equipment, HACCP, and quality management systems like ISO 22000 is often required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills help professionals identify issues and collaborate effectively across teams. These competencies ensure the production of safe, high-quality food products while maintaining compliance with industry standards.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in food quality roles, and how are they typically addressed?

Professionals in Food Quality often encounter challenges such as ensuring regulatory compliance, maintaining consistent product standards across batches, and effectively managing cross-departmental communication. These challenges are typically addressed through rigorous quality control procedures, regular staff training, and the implementation of robust auditing systems. Additionally, Food Quality teams frequently collaborate with production, R&D, and supply chain departments to promptly identify and resolve potential issues, ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality are upheld.

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

AspectFood QualityFood Safety Inspector
Primary FocusEnsuring food products meet quality standards, taste, and appearanceEnsuring food products comply with safety regulations and are free from hazards
CertificationsQuality assurance certifications, HACCP knowledgeFood safety certifications, HACCP, regulatory compliance training
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, laboratories, quality control labsInspection sites, regulatory agencies, food processing facilities
Employer & Industry UsageFood manufacturers, quality assurance firmsGovernment agencies, regulatory bodies, food inspection agencies

While both roles focus on food standards, Food Quality professionals primarily ensure the product meets quality and consumer expectations, whereas Food Safety Inspectors focus on compliance with safety regulations to prevent hazards. Both roles are essential for delivering safe, high-quality food products to consumers.

What are popular job titles related to Food Quality jobs in Washington?

For Food Quality jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Food Quality jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Quality jobs in Washington are:

Infographic showing various Food Quality job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $50,185 per year, or $24.1 per hour.

Food Quality Assurance Auditor

Mentor Technical Group

Quantico, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

About Company:

Mentor Technical Group (MTG) provides a comprehensive portfolio of technical support and solutions for the FDA-regulated industry. As a world leader in life science engineering and technical solutions, MTG has the knowledge and experience to ensure compliance with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device safety and efficacy guidelines. With offices in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and Boston and we serve life sciences clients in six global markets: United States, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Germany, Canada, and South America. 

About the Role:

The critical role of Food Quality Assurance Auditor will perform food quality, food safety, and physical safety audits as required per the requirements of the USMC contract.  This is an on-site position that will rotate among the military base dining facilities which include mess halls, kitchens, loading docks, bathroom facilities.  

Maintains close working relationship with the Mess Hall managers and subcontractors on all quality and safety issues. Maintains liaison with the Base Quality Assurance Evaluators (QAE) and other customer representatives on project performance and service matters. Performs several daily inspections and audits to ensure contractual and regulatory compliance. Assists the mess hall managers and subcontractors in maintaining a viable customer service program. Provides monthly in-service training to hourly employees at the base mess halls.

Basic Education Qualifications:

  • Legal Age:  18 Years Old
  • Education or Equivalent Experience:  BA/BS or In Hospitality, Food Science Technology, or related field
  • Supervisory/Managerial Experience: 2 years
  • Certification Requirements: ServSafe certified.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

  • The coordinator maintains a close working relationship with the Mess Hall managers and subcontractors on all quality and safety issues.
  • The coordinator will also provide mentoring/coaching/training assistance to mess hall management and employees as it relates to addressing areas of non-conformance, preparation for client and/or third-party audits, as well as meeting contractual requirements. 
  • Maintains liaison with the Base Quality Assurance Evaluators (QAE) and other customer representatives on project performance and service matters. 
  • Assists the mess hall managers and subcontractors in helping to drive continuous improvement in customer satisfaction and other areas as they relate to service to the client. 
  • Attention to detail in the areas explained in the audit guidance policies as well as an understanding of areas of compliance valued by the client is a must. 
  • The ability to discern between a food safety and/or food quality observation that affects the client and one that does not will be key to developing a good rapport/working relationship with mess hall management while ensuring contractual and regulatory requirements are being met. 
  • An understanding of the FDA Food Code and/or the Tri Service Food Code (TSFC) is needed. 

Typical Knowledge & Skills:

  • An understanding of the FDA Food Code 
  • HACCP
  • Safety Leadership and Investigation skills
  • Customer Service skills
  • Managing Multiple Priorities
  • Perform Technical Tasks
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Quality Control Protocol
  • Auditing & Reporting Skills

Basic Functional Experience:

  • 2 years of experience working 

Physical Qualifications: 

  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • While performing the duties of this job the employee is: 
    • Frequently required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch and bend.
    • Regularly required to stand, walk for extended periods of time, and sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk, hear or smell and taste. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 
    • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Working Environment:

  • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • While performing the duties of this job the employee is exposed to working in: 
    • Kitchen environment among industrial appliances, machines. Dish machines, ovens etc. risk of slips and falls.
    • Outdoor weather conditions; risk of slips and falls. 
    • Regularly exposed to wet or hot/humid conditions [non-weather], working near moving parts. 
    • Steps, stairs and or ladders
    • High paced at times
    • The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate conditions.


Mentor Technical Group es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades y todos los solicitantes calificados recibirán consideración para el empleo sin importar raza, color, religión, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad de género, información genética, origen nacional, estado de veterano protegido, estado de discapacidad o cualquier otro grupo protegido por ley.

Mentor Technical Group is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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