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Food Safety Assistant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Safety Assistant

Norwalk, IA · On-site

$37K - $48K/yr

Business Unit Overview Michael Foods, Inc. is a leader in the food processing and distribution ... Reporting to the Safety Supervisor, the Safety Assistant provides clerical support to the Safety ...

Safety Assistant

Norwalk, IA · On-site

$37K - $48K/yr

Business Unit Overview Michael Foods, Inc. is a leader in the food processing and distribution ... Reporting to the Safety Supervisor, the Safety Assistant provides clerical support to the Safety ...

Description SUMMARY The Quality Food Safety Specialist supports food safety, quality assurance, and ... Prepare reports, maintain data logs, and assist in SOP, SSOP, and process documentation updates ...

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Showing results 1-20

Food Safety Assistant information

See Iowa salary details

$25.8K

$45.8K

$75.1K

How much do food safety assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for food safety assistant in Iowa is $45,824.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,600.00 and $48,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food safety assistant?

Food Safety Assistants are professionals responsible for supporting food safety programs in food production, processing, or service environments. They assist in monitoring hygiene practices, conducting inspections, collecting samples, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. Their work helps prevent contamination and ensures that food products are safe for consumption. Food Safety Assistants often work under the supervision of food safety managers or quality assurance teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food safety assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Safety Assistant, you need a solid understanding of food hygiene, quality control procedures, and basic laboratory techniques, often supported by a diploma or certificate in food safety or a related field. Familiarity with HACCP guidelines, food safety auditing tools, and data recording systems is typically required. Attention to detail, strong communication, and teamwork are critical soft skills for effectively monitoring compliance and addressing issues. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure food products meet regulatory standards and protect public health.

What are some common challenges faced by food safety assistants when ensuring compliance with food safety regulations?

Food Safety Assistants often encounter challenges such as keeping up with frequently updated regulations, ensuring all staff adhere to strict hygiene protocols, and managing thorough documentation for audits. They must also balance day-to-day tasks, like monitoring temperatures or cleanliness, with unexpected issues such as equipment malfunctions or contamination risks. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as Food Safety Assistants regularly collaborate with kitchen staff, supervisors, and quality assurance teams to maintain food safety standards.

What is the difference between Food Safety Assistant vs Food Quality Technician?

AspectFood Safety AssistantFood Quality Technician
CertificationsFood Safety Certifications (e.g., ServSafe)Food Safety and Quality Certifications (e.g., HACCP, SQF)
Work EnvironmentFood production facilities, restaurants, retailManufacturing plants, laboratories, quality control labs
Employer & Industry UsageFood service, retail, manufacturingFood manufacturing, processing, quality assurance
Primary FocusEnsuring compliance with safety standardsMonitoring and maintaining product quality

While both roles focus on food safety and quality, the Food Safety Assistant primarily ensures compliance with safety standards in food service and retail environments. The Food Quality Technician emphasizes monitoring and improving product quality in manufacturing settings. Both roles require similar certifications but differ in their specific responsibilities and work environments.

Are food safety assistants in high demand?

Food safety assistants are in moderate to high demand due to the importance of food safety regulations and quality control in the food industry. Employment opportunities can vary based on location, industry growth, and the need for compliance with health standards, often requiring certifications such as ServSafe. The role typically involves monitoring food handling practices and maintaining sanitation standards in food service or manufacturing environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Safety jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Food Safety jobs in Iowa are:

Infographic showing various Food Safety Assistant job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,824 per year, or $22 per hour.

$37K - $48K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Michael Foods rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 29 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

199th of 445 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Business Unit Overview

Michael Foods, Inc. is a leader in the food processing and distribution industry with business in egg products, refrigerated grocery and potato products. We offer exciting job possibilities throughout our organization where you can enhance your career, sharpen your talents and make an impact. Join our company and be part of an innovative team that’s First in Food.


Location Description
Michael Foods, Inc. located in Norwalk, Iowa is a southern suburb in the Des Moines, Iowa metropolitan area. We are known for knowing our neighbors and enjoying a great quality of life! Our location produces high quality precooked egg patties as well as various French Toast products.
Responsibilities

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Safety Supervisor, the Safety Assistant provides clerical support to the Safety Department and is responsible for assisting with training and orientation sessions as well as written materials review.

This position has the responsibility to comply with Safety work rules at all times as well as an obligation to reinforce Safety as a Core Value. Ensures that all Safety regulations and Company policies & practices are followed in order to provide a safe work environment for all employees.

SCHEDULE:

2nd Shift: 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM (Monday - Friday)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Assist in identifying unsafe work conditions and practices, documenting and taking appropriate action to eliminate these conditions and behaviors.
  • Monitor and analyze data such as, safety inspections, exposure level testing, injuries, SDS program, etc.
  • Perform safety audits and inspections as directed by the Safety Supervisor.
  • Assist with investigation of unsafe acts/conditions, ergonomic incidents, and injuries.
  • Coordinate committee meetings- such as safety committee, ergonomics team, first responder team, among others.
  • Educate and communicate safety to employees through group meetings, conferences, orientations, newsletter, etc.
  • Determine requirements and coordinate supplying appropriate safety equipment and PPE to employees.
  • Collaborate with processing supervisors, managers, outside contractors and maintenance personnel on capital improvement projects to ensure work is completed in a safe manner.
  • Follow MFI Safety Policies as well as OSHA regulations to enforce safe work practices.
  • Compile data and generate reports by entering data into computer, determining information to include in reports, verifying data and distributing reports to appropriate parties.
  • Participate on plant teams as a leader, action item owner, meeting scribe as needed or assigned
  • Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned.
  • Adhere to safe work practices, follow GMP’s, maintain sanitary conditions and ensure that product quality is maintained. Report to management any conditions or practices that may adversely affect food safety, food quality or personnel safety.
  • Ensures regulatory compliance at all times.
  • Responsible for Food Safety and Food Quality of MFI products.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

  • A minimum of 2 years’ experience in the health and safety field within a manufacturing environment. 
  • An associate's degree (A.S., A.A.) or two-year technical training beyond high school in basic office skills, computer operations, bookkeeping/accounting or human resources, with a minimum of 1 year of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Must have computer skills in applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Access, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
  • Good understanding of OSHA standards.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

  • Ability to work well with all levels (be a team player).
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to solve fairly complex problems and manage multiple tasks.
  • Certification in First Aid/CPR/AED or First Responder preferred.
  • Applicable experience in a risk management environment preferred.
  • Ability to facilitate meetings and provide training to all levels of employees.
  • Must be willing to work flexible hours and shifts.
  • Must be willing to travel and attend off-site training.
  • Must have the ability to work independently, establish priorities and accomplish objectives with minimal supervision.
  • Bilingual a plus.
  • Strong organizational and time management abilities.
  • Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
  • OSHA 10-hour certification
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
  • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to speak effectively before groups, customers/vendors or employees of the organization.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work and may not include all of the duties required of the position.

#firstinfood

Qualifications:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

  • A minimum of 2 years’ experience in the health and safety field within a manufacturing environment. 
  • An associate's degree (A.S., A.A.) or two-year technical training beyond high school in basic office skills, computer operations, bookkeeping/accounting or human resources, with a minimum of 1 year of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Must have computer skills in applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Access, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
  • Good understanding of OSHA standards.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

  • Ability to work well with all levels (be a team player).
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to solve fairly complex problems and manage multiple tasks.
  • Certification in First Aid/CPR/AED or First Responder preferred.
  • Applicable experience in a risk management environment preferred.
  • Ability to facilitate meetings and provide training to all levels of employees.
  • Must be willing to work flexible hours and shifts.
  • Must be willing to travel and attend off-site training.
  • Must have the ability to work independently, establish priorities and accomplish objectives with minimal supervision.
  • Bilingual a plus.
  • Strong organizational and time management abilities.
  • Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
  • OSHA 10-hour certification
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
  • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to speak effectively before groups, customers/vendors or employees of the organization.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work and may not include all of the duties required of the position.

#firstinfood

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

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About Michael Foods

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

While our Michael Foods name has only been around since 1987, our true origins date all the way back to 1908 on a small family farm in New England. Over the past century, our capabilities have grown into innovative food offerings that reduce food safety risk, naturally extended shelf life and simplify food preparation and processing for foodservice kitchens and food manufacturers alike. Today, Michael Foods is a multi-billion-dollar supplier of foodservice, food ingredient and retail offerings that specializes in value-added eggs, and refrigerated potatoes. What’s our secret recipe? Great people, make real great food. Not only in our farms, facilities and offices across the country, but in the communities where we live and work. Explore more about who we are and how we strive to be First in Food for you by clicking below.

Industry

Food and drink manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Minnetonka, MN, US

Year founded

1908