Quality Inspector

At Häns Kissle, we strive to deliver the simple goodness of home in every bite. Founded in 1984, Häns Kissle began as the regional commissary for a small, high-end grocery chain in New England, crafting fresh, upscale prepared foods and deli salads. Today, we operate manufacturing facilities that produce high-quality food products while maintaining an uncompromising commitment to food safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. POSITION SUMMARY The Quality Sanitation Inspector plays a critical role in ensuring the production of safe, high-quality food products through comprehensive quality inspections, sanitation verification, pre-operational assessments, and food safety monitoring activities. This position is responsible for evaluating facility conditions, verifying sanitation effectiveness, monitoring compliance with food safety and quality standards, and supporting regulatory and certification requirements.The Quality Sanitation Inspector works closely with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) teams to identify and correct deficiencies, maintain compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP, SQF, and company policies, and drive continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Quality Inspection & Pre-Operational Verification Conduct post-sanitation and pre-operational inspections of equipment, production lines, processing areas, and facility infrastructure.Verify cleaning effectiveness and sanitary conditions prior to production startup.Identify, document, and communicate deficiencies that may impact food safety, product quality, or regulatory compliance.Verify facility readiness for production activities through detailed inspection and evaluation processes.Monitor compliance with food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements throughout the facility. Food Safety Monitoring & Testing Utilize ATP monitoring equipment and other approved testing methods to verify sanitation effectiveness.Conduct environmental and operational inspections to ensure compliance with food safety standards.Monitor allergen controls, product zoning practices, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).Evaluate production environments for potential contamination risks and initiate corrective actions when necessary.Support implementation and verification of HACCP, SQF, Food Defense, and sanitation programs. Documentation & Recordkeeping Maintain accurate inspection records, testing results, corrective action reports, and verification documentation.Complete all required documentation in accordance with company procedures, customer requirements, and regulatory guidelines.Document deviations, non-conformances, and corrective action activities.Utilize Microsoft Office, Redzone, and company software systems to maintain inspection records and compliance documentation.Ensure documentation is accurate, complete, and audit ready. GMP Compliance & Facility Monitoring Observe, monitor, and reinforce compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).Communicate GMP, sanitation, and food safety concerns to supervisors and appropriate personnel.Conduct routine inspections of production areas, employee practices, equipment, and facilities to verify compliance.Support facility readiness for internal, customer, third-party, and regulatory audits. Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement Collaborate with Production, Sanitation, Warehouse, and Maintenance teams to resolve food safety and quality concerns.Assist with troubleshooting process deviations and implementing corrective actions.Identify opportunities for process improvements related to food safety, sanitation, quality, compliance, and operational efficiency.Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and support food safety culture programs throughout the organization. Regulatory Compliance Support compliance with FDA, USDA, FSMA, HACCP, SQF, GMP, and company food safety requirements.Assist in maintaining programs and records required for regulatory and third-party certification audits.Report food safety, sanitation, and quality concerns in a timely manner. Training & Development Support employee training initiatives related to GMPs, sanitation procedures, food safety programs, and quality requirements.Promote a culture of food safety, quality awareness, accountability, and continuous improvement.Assist in coaching employees on compliance expectations when appropriate. Additional Responsibilities Utilize Redzone and other compliance systems to support food safety monitoring, recordkeeping, corrective action tracking, and continuous improvement efforts.Perform other duties as assigned by the Quality Supervisor, Sanitation Supervisor, or FSQA Manager. Qualifications & Education Requirements Education High School Diploma or GED required.Associate Degree in Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, or a related field preferred. Experience Previous experience in food manufacturing, sanitation, quality inspection, food safety, or quality assurance preferred.Experience working in refrigerated and wet food manufacturing environments is highly desirable. Computer Skills Proficient with computers, tablets, and digital compliance systems.Intermediate proficiency in: Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft WordElectronic Compliance SystemsWeb-Based Sanitation or Quality Management SoftwareRedzone or similar operational software preferred Preferred Qualifications Bilingual (English/Spanish)Prior experience in Food Manufacturing Quality Assurance or SanitationHACCP CertificationSQF TrainingGMP TrainingSanitation CertificationInternal Audit TrainingIntermediate to Advanced Excel Skills Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Attention to Detail Exceptional attention to detail and strong observation skills.Ability to identify food safety, sanitation, and quality risks. Food Safety Knowledge Ability to quickly learn and apply food safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.Basic understanding of HACCP, GMPs, SQF, sanitation verification, allergen control, and food defense principles. Communication Skills Strong verbal and written communication skills.Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with employees at all organizational levels.Ability to document observations and findings accurately and clearly. Teamwork & Collaboration Proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.Ability to support production, sanitation, and quality objectives while maintaining compliance standards. Problem Solving Ability to identify concerns, evaluate risks, and assist with corrective actions.Strong organizational and analytical skills. Work Environment & Physical Requirements. Office Environment (10%)Data collection and documentation activities.Computer and administrative work.Report preparation and record maintenance.Plant Environment (90%)Refrigerated and wet manufacturing environment.Exposure to production equipment, sanitation chemicals, cleaning processes, and food allergens.Exposure to occupational noise.Physical RequirementsFrequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and climbing stairs.Ability to lift and move materials up to 50 pounds.Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for extended periods.Ability to work flexible schedules, including weekends and holidays, as business needs require.We Take Care of Our TeamPosition offers an hourly range of $22.00 - $24.00Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, experience, and location.Benefits include annual holiday bonus program; 401k company contribution with company match up to 5%, Starting at 2 weeks paid time off; 10+ calendar holidays; up to 12 weeks paid parental bonding leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs; pet insurance, legal shield and identity theft protection; short-term and long-term disability plans.Hans Kissle takes pride in its people and product. We strongly believe in our philosophy to uphold the highest level of integrity in everything we do. Each employee is expected to understand and act appropriately per our philosophy and policies. This job description reflects essential functions assigned by management which are subject to change at any time**********STAFFING AGENCIES AND RECRUITING FIRMS - PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT HANS KISSLE FOR THIS ROLE**********