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Food Safety Assistant Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

OtterBase

Food Safety Specialist

Detroit, MI · On-site

Description: We are seeking a detail-oriented food safety professional to help manage and ... Assist in investigating reported incidents involving potential product-related illness or safety ...

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Food Safety Assistant information

See Michigan salary details

$24K

$42.5K

$69.7K

How much do food safety assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for food safety assistant in Michigan is $42,522.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,900.00 and $45,300.00 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 Michigan?

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

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Food Safety Assistant jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Food Safety Assistant job openings:

Food Safety Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Safety Assistant job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,522 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Food Safety Specialist

OtterBase

Detroit, MI • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Job Description Description: We are seeking a detail-oriented food safety professional to help manage and strengthen sanitation, regulatory compliance, and audit preparedness. This individual will play a hands-on role in keeping programs current, documentation tight, and sites inspection-ready while building strong working relationships with both internal teams and outside vendors. A key part of the job involves identifying problems early, coordinating timely responses, and making sure outcomes are properly recorded.

Key Responsibilities: Maintain adherence to applicable health, safety, and regulatory standards across assigned locations. Responsibilities may include oversight of sanitation practices, environmental monitoring, product integrity, labeling accuracy, and response readiness for product withdrawals. Support operational teams during the launch of new sites and renovation projects by helping ensure all permitting, inspection, and compliance requirements are properly met.

Perform periodic risk-based evaluations at assigned locations to identify potential hazards related to sanitation, product handling, and environmental controls. Ensure that identified risks are addressed through appropriate corrective and preventive measures. Analyze performance data, identify patterns, and communicate insights along with recommendations for ongoing improvement to leadership on a regular basis.

Apply knowledge of internal procedures and operational standards to guide and coach team members and site leadership on compliance expectations. Partner with cross-functional teams to provide input on areas of non-compliance and opportunities for improvement. Respond to urgent situations on a rotating on-call basis, providing timely support and coordination when needed.

Assist in investigating reported incidents involving potential product-related illness or safety concerns. Provide on-site assistance during critical events at operational or logistics facilities as required. Deliver training to new and existing leaders at various levels to ensure understanding and execution of regulatory and organizational expectations.

Offer real-time coaching during site evaluations to reinforce best practices in sanitation, safety, and risk mitigation. Administer certification exams related to safety and compliance standards. Support the rollout of new programs and systems by assisting with training, implementation, and effectiveness evaluation.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biological Science, or a closely related field; equivalent experience may be considered. Professional certification in safety or compliance (e.g., CP-FS) is preferred but not required. At least three years of experience interpreting, applying, or developing safety and compliance standards within a regulated environment or governmental agency

Demonstrated ability to design and deliver training programs and analyze performance data related to safety and compliance. Prior experience addressing safety or quality issues in operational, production, or distribution settings. Strong understanding of applicable regulatory frameworks or foundational safety principles.

Working knowledge of hazard analysis and risk-based control methodologies such as HACCP. Ability to work independently while staying aligned with organizational objectives and programs. Strong communication, technical, and interpersonal skills.

Proven ability to influence outcomes and drive behavioral change without direct authority. Ability to build effective working relationships with internal leadership and external regulatory partners. Willingness to travel frequently, including overnight stays (approximately 65-80%).

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