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Food Safety Practitioner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Quality and Food Safety Manager

Cary, NC · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

As a Quality & Food Safety Manager, you will lead quality and food safety efforts working closely ... SQF Practitioner Certification and/or PCQI Certification Compensation The annual salary range is ...

As a Quality & Food Safety Manager, you will lead quality and food safety efforts working closely ... SQF Practitioner Certification and/or PCQI Certification Compensation The annual salary range is ...

Quality and Food Safety Manager

Cary, NC · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

As a Quality & Food Safety Manager, you will lead quality and food safety efforts working closely ... SQF Practitioner Certification and/or PCQI Certification Compensation The annual salary range is ...

Showing results 41-60

Food Safety Practitioner information

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$41.5K

$130.3K

$200K

How much do food safety practitioner jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for food safety practitioner in the United States is $130,295.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,000.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food safety practitioner?

Food Safety Practitioners are professionals who ensure that food products are handled, prepared, and stored in ways that prevent foodborne illnesses and contamination. They monitor and enforce food safety regulations, conduct inspections, and educate food handlers on safe practices. Their work is vital in maintaining the safety and quality of food from production to consumption, protecting public health and meeting regulatory standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food safety practitioner?

To thrive as a Food Safety Practitioner, you need a solid understanding of food science, microbiology, and regulatory compliance, often supported by a degree in food science or a related field. Familiarity with HACCP principles, food safety management systems (such as ISO 22000), and relevant certifications like ServSafe are typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong communication skills help ensure effective risk assessment and training of staff. These skills and qualifications are essential for preventing foodborne illnesses, maintaining regulatory compliance, and protecting public health.

What are some common challenges food safety practitioners face when implementing safety protocols in diverse work environments?

Food Safety Practitioners often encounter challenges such as varying levels of staff training, resistance to new procedures, and differences in facility resources across locations. Adapting protocols to fit different production settings while ensuring full regulatory compliance requires strong communication and problem-solving skills. Practitioners must also frequently collaborate with cross-functional teams to maintain high standards and foster a culture of food safety throughout the organization.

What is the difference between Food Safety Practitioner vs Food Safety Auditor?

AspectFood Safety PractitionerFood Safety Auditor
CertificationsServSafe, HACCPISO 22000 Lead Auditor, HACCP
Work EnvironmentFood production, processing facilitiesInspection sites, client offices
Employer & IndustryFood manufacturers, restaurantsConsulting firms, certification bodies

Food Safety Practitioners focus on implementing and maintaining food safety protocols within organizations, ensuring compliance with standards. Food Safety Auditors evaluate and verify these practices through inspections and audits. While both roles require similar certifications like HACCP, Practitioners are hands-on in daily operations, whereas Auditors assess compliance externally. Understanding these differences helps employers and professionals choose the right career path or service.

Is food safety a good career?

A career as a Food Safety Practitioner involves ensuring compliance with health regulations, conducting inspections, and implementing safety protocols in food production and service environments. It offers job stability, opportunities for advancement, and requires knowledge of food safety standards and certifications such as ServSafe or HACCP. The field is essential for public health and can be a rewarding career for those interested in food quality and safety management.

What degree do I need to be a food safety practitioner?

A food safety practitioner typically needs at least a high school diploma or equivalent; however, many roles require a bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology, public health, or a related field. Relevant certifications, such as ServSafe or HACCP, are also important for demonstrating expertise in food safety practices.
More about Food Safety Practitioner jobs

What states have the most Food Safety Practitioner jobs?

States with the most job openings for Food Safety Practitioner jobs include:

Infographic showing various Food Safety Practitioner job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,295 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Site Quality and Food Safety Manager

CPS, Inc. (Food & Beverage Division)

Cincinnati, OH

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Site Quality and Food Safety ManagerThe Site Quality Manager is responsible for leading all Quality Assurance and Food Safety programs at the manufacturing facility to ensure products are safe, legal, and meet customer and company quality standards. This role provides leadership for the Quality team while partnering closely with Operations, R&D, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Regulatory to drive a strong food safety culture and continuous improvement across the site.The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with extensive experience in sauce manufacturing, thermal processing, and FDA-regulated food production. This individual will ensure compliance with all regulatory, customer, and certification requirements while supporting operational excellence and new product commercialization.Key ResponsibilitiesQuality & Food Safety LeadershipLead and manage all site Quality Assurance and Food Safety activities.Foster a strong food safety and quality culture throughout the organization.Ensure compliance with FDA, FSMA, state regulations, customer requirements, and company policies.Maintain and continuously improve the site?s Food Safety and Quality Management System.Oversee implementation and verification of HACCP, Preventive Controls, Environmental Monitoring, Allergen Control, GMPs, Sanitation, and Supplier Quality programs.Serve as the Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) or ensure qualified coverage.Regulatory & Certification ComplianceMaintain compliance with HACCP, FSMA, SQF or BRC standards.Lead all third-party, customer, FDA, and internal audits.Manage corrective and preventative actions resulting from audits, customer complaints, and non-conformances.Ensure accurate documentation and record retention in accordance with regulatory requirements.Manufacturing QualityProvide quality oversight for all manufacturing operations.Support production of acidified, low-acid, refrigerated, and ambient shelf-stable products.Ensure proper control of critical processing parameters, include:Thermal processingHot-fill operationsPasteurizationCooling and filling operationspH, water activity, and other critical quality attributesMonitor product quality trends and implement preventive actions.Team LeadershipLead, coach, mentor, and develop the site Quality team.Establish performance goals and support employee development.Promote cross-functional collaboration between Quality, Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and R&D.Build accountability while encouraging continuous improvement.Continuous ImprovementAnalyze quality metrics and identify opportunities for improvement.Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving tools.Drive reductions in customer complaints, waste, rework, and non-conforming products.Participate in capital projects, process improvements, and new product launches.Customer & Supplier QualitySupport customer visits and quality reviews.Respond to customer quality concerns and lead investigations.Work closely with suppliers to ensure incoming materials meet specifications.Collaborate with R&D during commercialization and scale-up of new products.Salary$110,000 - $130,000 + BonusBenefits AvailableQualifications:EducationBachelor?s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Food Engineering, or a related scientific disciplineMaster?s degree is considered an asset.ExperienceMinimum 5 years of progressive Quality Assurance experience in the food manufacturing industry.Minimum 2 years of leadership experience managing Quality teams.Experience in sauce, dressing, condiment, dip, or liquid food manufacturing strongly preferred.Required Technical QualificationsStrong knowledge of HACCP, PCQI, and SQF/BRC requirements.Experience with FDA and FSMA regulatory compliance.Strong understanding of acidified and low-acid food manufacturing.Knowledge of Better Process Control School (BPCS) requirements and thermal processing regulations.Experience with hot-fill processes, pasteurization, and thermal processing.Experience with ambient shelf-stable and refrigerated food manufacturing.Strong understanding of wet sauce processing and manufacturing operations.Experience managing environmental monitoring, allergen control, sanitation, and preventive controls.Experience leading FDA, customer, and third-party certification audits.CertificationsPreventative Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification preferred.Better Process Control School (BPCS) certification required or ability to obtain shortly after hire.HACCP Certification required.SQF Practitioner certification is considered an asset.Core CompetenciesStrong leadership and team development skills.Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.Proven problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.Strong decision-making ability under pressure.Excellent organizational and project management skills.High attention to detail and documentation accuracy.Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.Continuous improvement mindset with a hands-on approach.Working EnvironmentManufacturing environment with regular exposure to production areas.Ability to spend significant time on the production floors.Occasional travel may be required for training, supplier visits, customer meetings, or support to other company locations.Success MeasuresSuccessful completion of FDA, customer, and third-party audits.Reduction in customer complaints and internal quality defects.Achievement of food safety and quality KPIs.Strong employee engagement and development within the Quality team.**If you?d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Jeff Fee at jfee cps4jobs.com.JO: 63.26JF#LI-JF1