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Food Safety Quality Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Food Safety & Quality Specialist

Palmyra, WI ยท On-site

$23.42 - $28.10/hr

Summary The Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Specialist is responsible for executing, verifying, and continuously improving food safety, quality, animal welfare, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance ...

Job Purpose and Impact The Food Safety Quality Coordinator will provide specialized knowledge of specific segments of quality systems or plant processes such as food safety and quality auditing ...

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How much do food safety quality jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for food safety quality in the United States is $21.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $22.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What's the highest paying job in the food industry?

In the food industry, executive roles such as Food Safety Director or Quality Assurance Director tend to be the highest paying positions, often earning six-figure salaries. These roles require extensive experience, leadership skills, and knowledge of food safety regulations and quality management systems.

What are some common challenges faced by Food Safety Quality professionals, and how are they addressed within a typical food production team?

Food Safety Quality professionals often encounter challenges such as maintaining compliance with evolving regulations, managing cross-departmental communication, and ensuring consistent product quality. These challenges are typically addressed through ongoing training, implementation of robust quality systems like HACCP, and close collaboration with production, procurement, and sanitation teams. Regular audits and clear documentation also help teams proactively identify and resolve issues, ensuring that food safety standards are consistently met.

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

AspectFood Safety QualityFood Quality Assurance
CertificationsServSafe, HACCPISO 9001, HACCP
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, processing facilitiesQuality control labs, production lines
Industry UsageEnsuring safety and complianceMaintaining product quality standards

Food Safety Quality focuses on preventing foodborne illnesses and ensuring compliance with safety regulations, while Food Quality Assurance emphasizes maintaining overall product quality and consistency. Both roles often overlap but serve distinct purposes within the food industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Food Safety Quality professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Safety Quality professional, you need a strong background in food science, microbiology, and regulatory compliance, often supported by a relevant degree and industry certifications such as HACCP or SQF. Familiarity with food safety management systems, laboratory testing equipment, and auditing tools is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are key soft skills that enable proactive issue identification and team collaboration. These skills and qualifications ensure the consistent production of safe, high-quality food products and help organizations meet regulatory standards.

What is food safety quality and why is it important?

Food safety quality refers to the practices and standards used to ensure that food products are safe for consumption and meet established quality criteria. This includes monitoring for contaminants, adhering to hygiene regulations, and implementing quality control processes throughout production, storage, and distribution. Ensuring food safety quality is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses, maintain consumer trust, and comply with legal requirements. Effective food safety programs help protect public health and support the reputation of food businesses.

How to get into food safety and quality?

To pursue a career in food safety and quality, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, with many roles requiring a bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology, or a related field. Gaining certifications such as ServSafe or HACCP can improve job prospects, and experience in food production or quality assurance is valuable. Strong attention to detail, knowledge of safety standards, and familiarity with testing tools are important for success in this field.

What education is required to be a food safety specialist?

A food safety specialist typically needs at least a high school diploma or equivalent, with many roles requiring a bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology, or a related field. Relevant certifications, such as ServSafe or HACCP, are also often required or preferred to demonstrate knowledge of food safety standards and practices.

Is a food safety job a good career?

A food safety quality job involves ensuring that food products meet safety standards through inspections, testing, and compliance monitoring. It often requires knowledge of regulations, certifications such as ServSafe, and attention to detail. This field offers stable employment opportunities with potential for advancement in the food industry.
More about Food Safety Quality jobs
What cities are hiring for Food Safety Quality jobs? Cities with the most Food Safety Quality job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Food Safety Quality jobs? The most popular types of Food Safety Quality jobs are:
What states have the most Food Safety Quality jobs? States with the most job openings for Food Safety Quality jobs include:
Infographic showing various Food Safety Quality job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 58% Full Time, 32% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,309 per year, or $21.3 per hour.
Food Safety & Quality Specialist

Food Safety & Quality Specialist

Nelson-Jameson, Inc.

Minneapolis, MN โ€ข On-site

$100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Location: Minneapolis, MN Region (Territory: Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Western Wisconsin)
Job Type: Full-Time, Remote with travel
Compensation: Base salary plus commissions with potential earnings of $100,000+
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits, company-matched 401(k), paid time off, competitive compensation, company-issued vehicle, and much more!
About Us:
Since 1947, Nelson-Jameson has been a trusted supply chain partner to the nation's top dairy and food manufacturers. We provide high-quality products and innovative solutions that help businesses maintain top standards in quality, safety, and compliance. As a family-owned company, we believe in accountability, teamwork, and growth-for our people and the business. We take pride in our close-knit, supportive culture where every team member has a voice and the chance to grow. If you're looking for a rewarding career with a team that works hard and stays optimistic, we'd love to have you join us!
Job Summary:
While most industrial suppliers simply deliver products, Nelson-Jameson delivers solutions. Through our comprehensive product offering and expertly curated food safety programs, we provide customers with the tools they need to produce safe, quality food.
Nelson-Jameson is seeking a Food Quality & Safety Specialist to support our customers and internal teams with subject matter expertise in food safety and compliance. In this role, you'll play a vital role in helping customers solve complex challenges by offering knowledgeable support, accurate recommendations, and practical solutions. Success in this role requires strong communication skills, technical curiosity, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to translate complex information into practical solutions. This role is a great fit for experienced Quality Assurance, Quality Control, or Food Manufacturing professionals who want to make a direct impact on the safety of the food supply chain.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Provide Technical Support: Serve as a technical resource for customers and Strategic Account Managers regarding food safety, sanitation, and quality assurance.
  • Collaborate with Sales: Work closely with Strategic Account Managers to understand customer needs, develop tailored solutions, and promote product sales in assigned categories.
  • Drive Sales & Growth: Promote products to new, casual, and core accounts, aiming to maximize sales and gross margin.
  • Customer Service Excellence: Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction by providing timely, effective, and consistent technical support.
  • Identify Opportunities: Continuously seek opportunities to expand product offerings and solutions to customers, contributing to overall account growth.
  • Training & Education: Stay current on product knowledge and provide ongoing education and training for customers and internal teams to ensure optimal use of products and services.
  • Collaborate Across Teams: Partner with Sales, Product Management, and Marketing to enhance customer experience, promote products, and achieve business goals.

Why Nelson-Jameson?
At Nelson-Jameson, we offer more than just a job; we provide an opportunity to grow and succeed within a family-owned company that values innovation, collaboration, and hard work. You'll be part of a trusted industry leader, working alongside passionate professionals who are dedicated to making a difference.
As a golden rule company, we strive to maintain a culture of honesty, integrity, and kindness. Our organization is committed to operating ethically and respecting people, our community, and the environment. With us, you'll become part of a hard-working team that takes pride in providing safe, high-quality food to communities around the world.
With Nelson-Jameson, you'll receive:
  • Comprehensive Health Benefits with your choice of benefits to match your unique needs
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Competitive Compensation: Base salary plus commissions with potential earnings of $100,000+
  • Established sales territory
  • Paid time off at time of hire
  • Annual allowance for company-branded clothing
  • Annual Wellness Stipend & other wellness programs
  • Company-provided vehicle, cell phone, credit card, and remote work set-up
  • Autonomy & freedom to manage your own schedule
  • And much more!

Qualifications & Skills:
  • Required:
    • Education: Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or equivalent experience.
    • Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Control, food safety, or a related technical field.
    • Travel: Ability to travel up to 75% of the time for customer visits, supplier meetings, internal collaboration, and industry events, primarily regionally across assigned territory but also to other regions of the U.S. Must possess a valid driver's license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and hold all required documentation for domestic air travel.
  • Preferred:
    • Spanish-English Bilingual ability is highly desired.
    • Industry Experience: 5+ years in a combination of Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), sales, dairy safety practices, cheese cultures, enzymes, sanitation protocols, or related experience.
    • Sales Experience: Previous experience in technical sales or business development within a relevant industry is highly desirable.
    • Distributor or manufacturer experience selling to industrial food or other sanitary manufacturing facilities.
    • Proficient in ERP, CRM, and Google Suite tools.
    • Additional certifications or courses related to Food Safety, Quality Assurance, or HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) are highly beneficial

How to Apply:
If you're ready to apply your food safety expertise beyond the plant floor to help protect the food supply through practical, customer-focused solutions, apply today on our career site!
Nelson-Jameson, Inc. and NEXT Logistics, LLC. are Equal Opportunity Employers. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, and veteran status.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.