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Produce Quality Inspector Jobs in Pinetops, NC (NOW HIRING)

Quality Control Technician

Wilson, NC · On-site

$17.50 - $22.25/hr

... plant feed systems to produce a blended aggregate gradation that is in compliance with ... inspectors and customers to facilitate job progress and to promote a positive company image. 10.) ...

Quality Tech

Wilson, NC · On-site +1

$15.25 - $20.50/hr

Although our own branding may not appear on the labels of the beverages we produce, there is a good ... High level of precision and accuracy in inspection and testing processes. * Familiarity with SQF ...

Metal Fabricator

Wilson, NC · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

... and performing quality inspections. The ideal candidate is safety-focused, detail-oriented, and committed to producing high-quality work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Key ...

Quality Control Lab Technician

Wilson, NC

$18.25 - $23.25/hr

... plant feed systems to produce a blended aggregate gradation that is in compliance with ... inspectors and customers to facilitate job progress and to promote a positive company image. 10.) ...

Quality Investigator The Quality Investigator plays a key role in ensuring compliant, reliable ... produce clear, concise, and logically structured investigation reports. * Contribute to inspection ...

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Produce Quality Inspector information

See Pinetops, NC salary details

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How much do produce quality inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for produce quality inspector in Pinetops, NC is $18.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.57 and $20.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Produce Quality Inspector, you need expertise in food safety standards, quality control procedures, and experience with agricultural products, often supported by a background in food science or agriculture. Familiarity with inspection tools, data entry systems, and certifications like HACCP or USDA inspection credentials is frequently required. Attention to detail, strong observational skills, and effective communication are vital soft skills for accurately assessing product quality and collaborating with suppliers. These skills ensure that only safe, high-quality produce reaches consumers, protecting public health and reducing supply chain losses.

What does a produce quality inspector do?

A Produce Quality Inspector is responsible for examining fruits, vegetables, and other produce to ensure they meet specific quality and safety standards. They look for signs of damage, spoilage, ripeness, and contamination, and may also check for correct labeling and packaging. Their work helps maintain food safety throughout the supply chain and ensures customers receive high-quality produce. Inspectors often work in warehouses, distribution centers, or at points of import and export.

What are some common challenges faced by produce quality inspectors, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Produce Quality Inspectors often face challenges such as managing varying quality standards among suppliers, working in fast-paced environments, and identifying subtle defects in produce. To address these issues, inspectors rely on clear communication with suppliers and team members, continuous training on updated quality standards, and the use of standardized checklists and tools. Staying organized and maintaining meticulous records also help ensure consistency and accuracy in inspections, which is crucial for food safety and customer satisfaction.

What qualifications do I need to be a produce quality inspector?

Produce quality inspectors typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and may benefit from knowledge of food safety standards and quality control procedures. Attention to detail, good communication skills, and the ability to operate inspection tools are important; some employers may require certification in food safety or quality assurance.

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

AspectProduce Quality InspectorFood Safety Inspector
CertificationsQuality assurance certifications, HACCP knowledgeFood safety certifications, HACCP, ServSafe
Work EnvironmentFarms, processing plants, warehousesRegulatory agencies, inspection sites, food facilities
Industry UsageProduce, agriculture, food processingFood manufacturing, regulatory compliance

The Produce Quality Inspector focuses on assessing the quality and freshness of produce, ensuring it meets standards before distribution. In contrast, the Food Safety Inspector evaluates overall food safety compliance across various food facilities. While both roles require knowledge of HACCP and food safety protocols, their work environments and specific responsibilities differ, with Produce Quality Inspectors concentrating on produce quality and Food Safety Inspectors on regulatory compliance across the food industry.

What is the role of a produce quality inspector?

A produce quality inspector evaluates fruits and vegetables to ensure they meet quality standards for appearance, ripeness, and freshness. They inspect products for defects, proper sizing, and safety, often using tools like inspection sheets and following industry regulations. This role helps maintain product quality and consumer safety in food production environments.
What cities near Pinetops, NC are hiring for Produce Quality Inspector jobs? Cities near Pinetops, NC with the most Produce Quality Inspector job openings:
Infographic showing various Produce Quality Inspector job openings in Pinetops, NC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 63% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,304 per year, or $18.4 per hour.

Production Inspector (UD) - Nights

Avient Corporation

Greenville, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Avient rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 37 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

24th of 84 rated plastic manufacturers


Job description


The UD Inspector will set up, operate, adjust and clean the inspection equipment required to inspect and pack finish product into boxes in accordance to work instructions and standard operating procedures. Maintain records of the finished product in the appropriate system. Inspect/re-inspect and pack finished product. Assist in the training, guidance and leadership of other team members.
Responsibilities
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
  • Ensures all work is conducted in a safe and effective manner and all applicable procedures and policies are followed. Maintain or enhance safety awareness programs and related documentation. Support and lead the Avient Protective MaterialsSafety Committee. Take action to correct unsafe acts, systems and procedures.
  • Abides by Avient Protective Materials procedures/policies regarding security, inclusive of: employee security agreements; use of non-disclosure agreements with outside parties; control of Avient Protective Materials intellectual property limited to a "need to know" only basis; no unauthorized use of cell phones, cameras, computers or Avient Protective Materials property; reporting security threats and incidents; proper control of Avient Protective Materials property and keys.
  • To set up, operate, adjust and clean the inspection equipment required to inspect and pack finish product into boxes in accordance to work instructions and standard operating procedures. Operates equipment in a safe and efficient manner while maintaining quality product. Take samples and determines properties of the produced finished products. Prepares samples for offline quality checks. Supply and maintain inventory of components/supplies as needed.
  • Inspect and pack finished product. Demonstrates a commitment to quality by ensuring all product documentation is accurate and complete.
  • Responsible for compliance with relevant laws, regulatory requirements, recipes, SOP's, and other related documentation and activities. Ensures Company guidelines related to company policies relating to quality, safety, housekeeping and cost effectiveness are met.
  • Enters data about components and finished products into the MES system. Maintain accurate production related records.
  • Move, measure, maintain inventory and store raw and finished products. Receives stores, handles and delivers raw materials and finished products as required or directed. Utilize standard material handling equipment. Operate rider and/or walk for truck and overhead crane.
  • Utilize good judgment in making critical decisions on product quality, equipment functionality, safety and other related activities.
  • Identifies problems related to equipment, work orders, log books, set-ups and other related activities and recommends ways to solve. Makes suggestions regarding product quality, safety precautions, and work improvements. Informs Lead of any problems that may impair the quality of the UD product, packaging components, work efficiency and/or safety.
  • Maintain annual training requirements on hazardous waste by reviewing DYNPRO SHE DYN 653 and general awareness presentation. Specific job holders will complete more detailed training as well.
  • Uses time wisely to complete other tasks when no product is available at work station for inspection to include assisting on another inspection station, making core supports, housekeeping and completing training in training compass.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Education and Experience
  • Two year technical degree or high school diploma and at least 1 year of experience in a manufacturing or military technical experience.
  • Knowledge of appropriate safety procedures
  • Knowledge of changeovers/cleaning/set-up, work instructions
  • Ability to perform mathematical computation; problem solving.
  • Problem solving/troubleshooting skills.
  • Organize, schedule and follow-up on activities.
  • Creativity and initiative.
  • Interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Basic computer skills.
  • Ability to operate forklift and overhead cranes.
  • Mechanical skills & knowledge including equipment assembly.
  • Ability to identify problems and utilize good decision making skills to resolve.
  • Ability to maintain accurate records.
  • Ability to constantly produce at established production rates.
  • Attention to detail, alertness, skill in detecting defects and identify machine or process problems.
  • Ability to follow directions.
  • Ability to read gauges, dials, meters and set controllers; ability to coordinate hand-arm manipulation.

Physical Demands
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk and/or hear. Occasionally required to sit.
  • Must be able to walk and use hands.
  • Occasionally requires bending, stooping, climbing ladders and stairs.
  • The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally handle 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities may require close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Typically work is in a manufacturing environment where noise level is loud.
  • Requires the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, hearing protection, hard hat, respiratory protection.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, dust, fumes, airborne particles, chemical dust, and risk of electric shock, vibration, non-hazardous chemical agents and outside weather conditions.
  • Regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles.
  • The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock.
  • Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
  • May be exposed to working in extreme heat and humidity.

About Us
Our purpose at Avient Corporation is to be an innovator of materials solutions that help our customers succeed, while enabling a sustainable world.
Innovation goes far beyond materials science; it's powered by the passion, creativity, and diverse expertise of 9,000 professionals worldwide. Whether you're a finance wizard, a tech enthusiast, an operational powerhouse, an HR changemaker, or a trailblazer in materials development, you'll find your place at Avient.
Join our global team and help shape the future with sustainable solutions that transform possibilities into realities. Your unique perspective could be the key to our next breakthrough!
We believe that all of our global employees are leaders and that the six most important behaviors for driving our strategy and culture are the same no matter if an employee is a leader of self, a leader of others, or a leader of the business.
By playing to win, acting customer centric, driving innovation and profitable growth, collaborating seamlessly across Avient, and motivating and inspiring and developing others and yourself you will accelerate your ability to achieve Avient's strategic goals, to meet our customer needs, and to accomplish your career goals.
At Avient, we believe a wide variety of thoughts, ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person's qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.
Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran's status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to complete an online application, please contact the Avient HR Team by emailing, ApplicationAccommodation@Avient.com.

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