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Food Safety Inspector Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

... for inspections, plan reviews, and variances. * Own the ServSafe Manager certification program ... Build and deliver food safety training content for new hires, GMs, DMs, and Restaurant Support ...

... point of contact for inspections, plan reviews, and variances. * Own theServSafeManager ... Build and deliver food safety training content for new hires, GMs, DMs, and Restaurant Support ...

... food safety standards, regulatory requirements (FDA, USDA, etc.), and customer specifications. This role supervises the QA team, supports plant inspections, and helps drive continuous quality ...

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... safety requirements. * Assist Machine Operators and Production Leads with the operation of ... Inspect products and packaging throughout production to identify defects, inconsistencies, or ...

Senior Manager, EHS&S

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site

$80K - $109K/yr

Develops and implements inspection policies and procedures, and a schedule of routine inspections ... Food Safety Responsible and required to notify management about actual or potential food safety ...

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Food Safety Inspector information

See Utah salary details

$32.8K

$46.8K

$70.1K

How much do food safety inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for food safety inspector in Utah is $46,843.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35,500.00 and $55,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food safety inspector?

Food Safety Inspectors are professionals responsible for ensuring that food products are safe, properly labeled, and comply with local, state, and federal regulations. They inspect food processing facilities, restaurants, and other food establishments to check for cleanliness, proper food handling, and storage practices. These inspectors also investigate complaints, collect samples for laboratory analysis, and educate food workers about safety standards. Their work helps protect public health by reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

What are some common challenges food safety inspectors face during inspections, and how are they addressed?

Food Safety Inspectors often encounter challenges such as non-compliance with regulations, resistance from facility staff, and time constraints when covering multiple locations. To address these issues, inspectors rely on strong communication skills to educate and collaborate with facility personnel, thorough documentation practices, and staying up-to-date with evolving food safety standards. Building rapport with businesses and maintaining professionalism helps foster cooperation and ensures that public health remains the top priority.

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

To thrive as a Food Safety Inspector, you need a background in food science, microbiology, or a related field, often supported by relevant certifications and regulatory knowledge. Familiarity with inspection tools, laboratory equipment, and reporting systems like HACCP is crucial. Attention to detail, strong communication, and integrity are standout soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure thorough inspections, regulatory compliance, and the protection of public health.

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

AspectFood Safety InspectorFood Quality Auditor
CertificationsFood Safety Certifications (e.g., ServSafe, HACCP)Quality Management Certifications (e.g., ISO 9001, HACCP)
Work EnvironmentInspecting food production facilities, restaurants, and processing plantsAuditing food manufacturing processes, quality systems, and compliance
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, food production companiesFood manufacturing, certification bodies, consulting firms
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in food safety enforcementAssessing food quality standards and compliance

The Food Safety Inspector primarily focuses on ensuring food safety compliance through inspections, while the Food Quality Auditor emphasizes evaluating and maintaining food quality standards. Both roles require similar certifications and often work within the food industry, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

How do you become a food safety inspector?

To become a food safety inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, with some positions requiring postsecondary education in food science, microbiology, or a related field. Relevant experience in food production or safety, along with certifications such as ServSafe or other food safety certifications, can improve job prospects. Inspectors often need to pass a state or federal exam and may be required to complete on-the-job training or specialized courses.

How hard is it to be a food safety inspector?

Becoming a food safety inspector requires completing relevant education, such as a high school diploma or higher, and obtaining certifications like the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification. The job involves inspecting food establishments, enforcing safety regulations, and often requires attention to detail, good communication skills, and the ability to handle sometimes challenging environments. The difficulty varies based on experience, training, and the complexity of inspections, but it generally involves a combination of education, certification, and on-the-job training.

How much do food safety inspectors make in the US?

Food safety inspectors in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $45,000 to $55,000, with experienced inspectors and those in certain regions earning higher wages. Salaries can vary based on location, level of experience, certifications, and the employing agency, and inspectors often work in government agencies or private companies ensuring compliance with safety standards.

What are popular job titles related to Food Safety Inspector jobs in Utah?

For Food Safety Inspector jobs in Utah, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Food Safety Inspector job openings in Utah as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,843 per year, or $22.5 per hour.

Director of Food Safety

Lehi, UT • On-site


Mo' Bettahs
Restaurants • 501 - 1,000 employees

4.6

Company rating: 4.6 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

86th of 107 rated fast food restaurants

Free food

Respectful managers

Good training


Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

At Mo' Bettah's, we value Kuleana (Responsibility), Ho'okipa (Hospitality and Aloha), Ho'okuku (Competitiveness), Mo'omeheu (Culture), Miki'oi (Fine Craftsmanship), and Pono (Righteousness). These values reflect the qualities of an ideal team player: hunger, kindness, energy, humility, and selflessness. We believe in taking responsibility for our actions, celebrating our unique Hawaiian culture, providing personable service, striving for excellence, and paying attention to detail.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
Reporting to the COO, this role owns the strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of Mo' Bettahs' food safety and sanitation programs across every restaurant in the system. You will set the multi-year food safety vision as we scale from 80 restaurants to nearly 90 across eight states by year end, and you will build the team, systems, and health department relationships that allow us to grow without compromise. You will partner closely with Operations, Training, Supply Chain, and Construction to ensure every plate served, from kalua pig to white rice, meets the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. You will own HACCP plans, the third-party audit program, ServSafe certification, supplier food safety standards, and the company's response to foodborne illness allegations and recalls, serving as the executive voice of food safety to senior leadership. This position is based in Lehi, UT with significant multi-state travel (40-50%) to support restaurants across our operating footprint.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
  • Own and continuously evolve the Mo' Bettahs food safety strategy and program, including HACCP plans, standard operating procedures, and brand-specific food safety standards across every restaurant in the system.

  • Build, lead, and develop the food safety function, including third-party resources, as the restaurant count and geographic footprint grow.

  • Maintain compliance with the FDA Food Code and all applicable state, county, and municipal regulations across our eight-state operating footprint.

  • Develop and maintain temperature, time, allergen, and sanitation standards specific to Hawaiian-style menu items, including rice handling, slow-cooked proteins, steam-table holding, and raw protein cross-contamination controls.

  • Conduct and oversee in-restaurant food safety audits across the portfolio on a defined cadence, surfacing wins and recognition opportunities alongside corrective action.

  • Own the third-party audit program (EcoSure, Steritech, or equivalent), including scope, scoring, vendor relationship, and reporting; calibrate scoring and standards across District Managers and General Managers.

  • Own the company's food safety crisis management playbook; serve as incident commander for foodborne illness allegations, supplier recalls, and health department actions, partnering with Legal, Communications, and executive leadership.

  • Manage relationships with local and state health departments across all eight states; serve as primary point of contact for inspections, plan reviews, and variances.

  • Own the ServSafe Manager certification program system-wide and maintain a current roster of certified managers in every restaurant.

  • Build and deliver food safety training content for new hires, GMs, DMs, and Restaurant Support Center Team Members, including allergen awareness and Hawaiian-style menu-specific protocols.

  • Partner with Construction, Real Estate, and Operations on permitting, plan review, and pre-opening health department inspections for New Restaurant Openings in existing and new states.

  • Partner with Supply Chain to ensure approved suppliers meet Mo' Bettahs food safety standards, including third-party certifications (SQF, BRC, or equivalent); lead supplier food safety reviews and recall execution.

  • Evaluate, implement, and own food safety technology, including digital line checks, remote temperature monitoring, and audit management platforms, to give Operations real-time visibility into food safety performance.

  • Own the food safety department budget, including third-party audit, technology, training, and pest management vendor contracts.

  • Build and report monthly food safety KPIs to the executive team, including audit scores, illness reports, health department findings, training compliance, and recall events; present enterprise food safety risk to executive leadership and the board.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
  • 10+ years of progressive food safety leadership experience in a multi-unit restaurant, foodservice, or food manufacturing environment; multi-state, high-growth experience strongly preferred.

  • 3+ years building, leading, and developing direct reports or field teams.

  • ServSafe Manager Certification required; Certified Professional in Food Safety (CP-FS) or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) strongly preferred.

  • Expert knowledge of the FDA Food Code, HACCP principles, and state-level regulatory variation.

  • Demonstrated experience leading crisis response for foodborne illness events, supplier recalls, or regulatory actions.

  • Demonstrated experience managing food safety across geographically distributed operations.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to coach in-restaurant and present to executive leadership and the board.

  • Ability to travel 40-50%, including overnight and multi-day trips across our multi-state footprint.

  • Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Public Health, Microbiology, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

PREFERRED:
  • Experience building or scaling a food safety function in a high-growth, multi-state restaurant environment.

  • Experience with digital food safety platforms (digital line checks, remote temperature monitoring, audit and incident management systems).

  • Experience in audit score performance and trend analysis by store, district, and region.

  • Experience managing foodborne illness reports and time-to-resolution.

  • Experience with supplier quality programs and certifications (SQF, BRC, PCQI).

  • Prior experience opening restaurants in new states and navigating local regulatory environments.

  • Bilingual English/Spanish.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
The position requires qualified individuals to see, hear and speak (verbally and audibly). Required to ascend and descend stairs; sit and stand for extended periods; lift 30 pounds; bend, stoop, and kneel. Required to enter walk-in coolers and freezers during in-restaurant visits. You may be required to work outside in various weather conditions. You may be required to work on a computer for extended periods, including viewing the screen, using a mouse, manipulating a keyboard with hands, and reaching with arms. You will be required to drive and travel by car, air, or other transportation for business purposes on a regular basis (40-50% travel). Must be able to function effectively in a fast-paced working environment.
Mo' Bettahs is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, or pregnancy.


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