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Food Sampler Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Astrix Inc

Sample Control Technician II

Fresno, CA · On-site

Pay Rate Low: 17.67 | Pay Rate High: 17.67 Sample Control Technician Join a global leader in laboratory testing and scientific services supporting the food, environmental, pharmaceutical, cosmetics ...

Target

Food Service Expert

Lathrop, CA

$20/hr

ALL ABOUT FOOD & BEVERAGE The Food & Beverage team enablesa consistentexperience for our guests by ... Use sampling and suggestive selling to promote products and increase sales. * Complete Pizza Hut ...

Target

Food Service Expert

Marina, CA · On-site

$20/hr

ALL ABOUT FOOD & BEVERAGE The Food & Beverage team enablesa consistentexperience for our guests by ... Use sampling and suggestive selling to promote products and increase sales. * Complete Pizza Hut ...

Target

Food Service Expert

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$20.50/hr

ALL ABOUT FOOD & BEVERAGE The Food & Beverage team enablesa consistentexperience for our guests by ... Use sampling and suggestive selling to promote products and increase sales. * Complete Pizza Hut ...

Target

Food Service Expert

Hanford, CA · On-site

$20/hr

ALL ABOUT FOOD & BEVERAGE The Food & Beverage team enablesa consistentexperience for our guests by ... Use sampling and suggestive selling to promote products and increase sales. * Complete Pizza Hut ...

Target

Food Service Expert

Chino, CA

$20/hr

ALL ABOUT FOOD & BEVERAGE The Food & Beverage team enablesa consistentexperience for our guests by ... Use sampling and suggestive selling to promote products and increase sales. * Complete Pizza Hut ...

Actalent

Sample Receiving Technician

Folsom, CA

$20.25 - $27/hr

Sample Receiving Technician The Sample Receiving Technician plays a key role in environmental ... Experience working in a fast-paced, production environment such as food service or manufacturing.

New

Actalent

Sample Receiving Technician

Folsom, CA

$19.75 - $27.25/hr

Sample Receiving Technician The Sample Receiving Technician plays a key role in environmental ... Experience working in a fast-paced, production environment such as food service or manufacturing.

New

Target Brands, Inc.

Food Service Expert

Lathrop, CA · On-site

$20/hr

Use sampling and suggestive selling to promote products and increase sales. * Complete Pizza Hut ... Previous food or grocery experience preferred, but not required * Welcoming and helpful attitude ...

Target Brands, Inc.

Food Service Expert

Hanford, CA · On-site

$20/hr

Use sampling and suggestive selling to promote products and increase sales. * Complete Pizza Hut ... Previous food or grocery experience preferred, but not required * Welcoming and helpful attitude ...

Target Brands, Inc.

Food Service Expert

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$20.50/hr

Use sampling and suggestive selling to promote products and increase sales. * Complete Pizza Hut ... Previous food or grocery experience preferred, but not required * Welcoming and helpful attitude ...

Target Brands, Inc.

Food Service Expert

Chino, CA · On-site

$20/hr

Use sampling and suggestive selling to promote products and increase sales. * Complete Pizza Hut ... Previous food or grocery experience preferred, but not required * Welcoming and helpful attitude ...

Acosta

Lead Event Specialist Part Time

San Diego, CA · On-site

$18.25/hr

... serve food samples including raw meats, produce and eggs complying with food safety guidelines. • Ability to prepare and serve food samples using small appliances such as microwaves, fryers ...

Acosta

Lead Event Specialist Part Time

Fullerton, CA · On-site

$17.40/hr

... serve food samples including raw meats, produce and eggs complying with food safety guidelines. • Ability to prepare and serve food samples using small appliances such as microwaves, fryers ...

Acosta

Lead Event Specialist Part Time

Riverside, CA · On-site

$17.40/hr

... serve food samples including raw meats, produce and eggs complying with food safety guidelines. • Ability to prepare and serve food samples using small appliances such as microwaves, fryers ...

Acosta

Lead Event Specialist Part Time

Ontario, CA · On-site

$17.40/hr

... serve food samples including raw meats, produce and eggs complying with food safety guidelines. • Ability to prepare and serve food samples using small appliances such as microwaves, fryers ...

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All JobsFood Sampler JobsFood Sampler Jobs in California

Food Sampler information

See California salary details

$8

$13

$19

How much do food sampler jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for food sampler in California is $13.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.12 and $17.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a food sampler do?

A typical day for a Food Sampler involves setting up sampling stations, preparing food samples according to safety and presentation guidelines, and engaging with customers to encourage them to try products. Food Samplers answer questions about the products, provide information on promotions, and often collect feedback or report on customer preferences. They also collaborate closely with store staff to ensure adequate supplies and compliance with store policies. This role requires strong communication skills, a friendly demeanor, and the ability to stand for extended periods.

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

To thrive as a Food Sampler, you need a basic understanding of food safety, customer service, and effective communication, often supported by a high school diploma and food handler certification. Familiarity with point-of-sale systems, food preparation tools, and safety protocols is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, approachability, and the ability to engage customers make someone stand out in this position. These skills are crucial for ensuring safe food handling, promoting products effectively, and creating a positive customer experience.

What is the difference between Food Sampler vs Food Taster?

AspectFood SamplerFood Taster
Required CredentialsNone typically required, some food safety knowledgeNone typically required, some culinary or sensory training
Work EnvironmentEvent settings, promotional activities, food exposFood testing labs, product development, quality control
Employer & Industry UsageFood companies, marketing agencies, event organizersFood manufacturers, R&D departments, quality assurance teams

Food Samplers primarily promote products at events and require minimal credentials, focusing on engaging consumers. Food Tasters evaluate food quality and flavors, often working in labs or R&D settings, sometimes with culinary or sensory training. While both roles involve tasting food, their work environments and employer types differ significantly.

What is a food sampler?

A food sampler is a retail food demonstrator who provides a taste of new or featured products to interested customers. The job duties of a food sampler are to set up booths in retail stores, demonstrate how to cook using a particular product, and provide free taste samples to passing shoppers. Other responsibilities are to set up, clean, and break down a sample station in retail stores and promote a brand product to encourage sales. A food sampler needs good interpersonal skills so that customers find them approachable and buy the products. The qualifications you need to become a food sampler are a high school diploma and customer service or sales experience.

More about Food Sampler jobs
What are popular job titles related to Food Sampler jobs in California? For Food Sampler jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Sampler jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Food Sampler jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Food Sampler jobs? Cities in California with the most Food Sampler job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Food Sampler jobs in CA? For Food Sampler jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Food Sampler jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Sampler job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $28,072 per year, or $13.5 per hour.

Senior Food Technologist (Dry Applications)

Kinder's

Walnut Creek, CA • On-site

$115K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

How You'll Have an Impact at Kinder's: 

The Senior Food Technologist provides technical support for all product development activities for dry applications projects from exploratory/concept through commercialization. Emphasis on bench-top formulation and scale up for innovation, migration, and renovation projects, including product cuttings, plant trials, and appropriate documentation.

Key Responsibilities:
  • With guidance, design and execute product development innovation, renovation, cost optimization and quality initiatives.  Follow-through on product refinements based on PD, Marketing, and Customer feedback.
  • Leverage vendor capabilities and co-packers to expand formulation possibilities, new ingredients, product technologies and to increase speed to market.
  • In conjunction with Culinary Team, manage internal cuttings providing guidance on product development.
  • Optimize product formulations based on consumer feedback, ingredient opportunities, nutritional guidelines, and cost constraints.
  • Support new product launches including plant trials and initial production runs at contract manufacturers. Confirm specifications are met for product. With process engineer, confirm specs are met for package, and process. Coordinate logistics for plant trial unique raw materials and sample delivery/acquisition.
  • Design and conduct shelf-life stability testing for new products.
What You Bring to the TableSkills and Experience
  • BS Degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or a similar discipline
  • 3-5 years food industry experience.
  • Knowledge of food manufacturing, formulation and ingredient functionality for sauces.
  • Working knowledge of food safety and microbiology.
  • Familiarity with packaging technology to evaluate adequacy of packaging.
  • Working knowledge of food labeling regulations.
  • Familiarity with sensory evaluation procedures.
  • Excellent time management skills, sense of urgency, and desire to complete all assignments on a timely basis.
  • Must be able to travel up to 30% of the time.

Personal Characteristics

  • Growth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach).
  • Passionate people-lover excited by the opportunity to build strong relationships with teammates and consumers.
  • Low ego with a strong sense of humility.
  • Thrive in a dynamic, lean, and agile environment.
  • Collaborative mindset with an ability to find creative solutions.
  • Self-starter who takes initiative and is willing to speak their mind.
  • Excited to be part of a fast-moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower where required.
  • Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say 'yes' as often as possible to impactful and important priorities.

Location & Pay Transparency 

This position will be based onsite in Walnut Creek, CA. Travel will be required up to 30%. The expected starting salary range for this role is $115,000-$125,000 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, performance, and business needs.

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