Quality Assurance Inspector (Processing)

The Quality Assurance Inspector is responsible for monitoring and evaluating product quality to ensure compliance with Ocean Mist Farms quality standards customer specifications food safety requirements and operational procedures.

This role requires collaboration with Operations Sales Food Safety and Production teams to ensure consistent product quality and continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.

The position is based in Castroville California and requires travel to remote growing regions. Depending on the assigned area and seasonal business needs temporary relocation may also be required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

All Assignments

• Perform timely and accurate quality inspections on all commodities lots processes and equipment including externally sourced products from California Arizona and Mexico
• Evaluate product quality based on Ocean Mist Farms standards and customer specifications including weight color condition appearance packing and temperature
• Identify and promptly communicate quality concerns discrepancies and deviations from established specifications
• Accurately complete and maintain inspection reports logs and electronic records
• Collaborate with Operations Sales Food Safety Production growers and harvesting teams to investigate and resolve quality concerns
• Support corrective actions and verify that identified issues have been appropriately addressed
• Identify quality trends and opportunities for continuous improvement
• Follow all applicable food safety sanitation safety and operational procedures

Field Assignment

• Conduct pre-harvest harvest and post-harvest product evaluations
• Monitor crop maturity sizing defects appearance environmental conditions and harvest readiness
• Perform daily field inspections and collect quality-related samples and data
• Evaluate harvesting practices for compliance with established quality and product-handling standards
• Partner with growers and harvesting personnel to address quality concerns
• Support field food safety programs grower evaluations field audits shelf-life studies and special projects
• Recommend harvest timing handling procedures cooling icing packaging carton selection palletizing and product disposition
• Participate in a rotating schedule consisting of approximately five weeks in Field operations and one week in Facility/Cooler operations subject to business needs

Processing (Value Added & Heartichoke) Assignment

• Monitor production processes for compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) food safety requirements and product specifications
• Perform production-line verifications including temperature weight packaging labeling and other process-control measurements
• Inspect machinery processing lines and work areas for cleanliness hygiene and operational readiness
• Monitor allergen controls to ensure allergen-containing products are properly separated from non-allergen production runs
• Use precision measuring instruments and testing equipment to perform required verifications
• Verify calibration status and perform routine care or maintenance of testing equipment as assigned
• Reinforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) sanitation procedures and food safety requirements on the production floor
• Place non-conforming products on hold or quarantine in accordance with established procedures
• Assist with root-cause investigations product disposition corrective actions and follow-up verification
• Communicate findings to Production employees supervisors and managers so processes can be adjusted and corrective actions implemented

Facility Assignment

• Inspect incoming commodities and specific product lots intended for fresh-market or value-added operations including externally sourced products from California Arizona and Mexico
• Evaluate incoming and stored products for quality condition temperature packing and compliance with established specifications
• Prepare and maintain receiving raw-product daily and aging inspection reports
• Provide recommendations regarding cooling packaging carton selection palletizing storage and product disposition
• Partner with Facility/Cooler Operations Production Shipping and Sales to address incoming-product and shipment-quality concerns
• Assist with the preparation and coordination of products for exhibitions fairs conventions customer requests and other special projects

Perform other related duties as assigned

Job Requirements and Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional training in quality assurance food safety agriculture production or a related area preferred
• One to three years of experience in quality assurance produce inspection agriculture food processing or a related field preferred
• Ability to read write and communicate effectively in English; bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred
• Basic math measurement computer and analytical skills necessary to evaluate products and accurately complete reports
• Valid California Class C drivers license and ability to meet Company driving-insurability requirements
• Ability to operate a Company vehicle as assigned
• Ability to work a rotating schedule of approximately five weeks in Field operations and one week in Facility/Cooler operations with flexibility based on business needs
• Ability to work either the day or night shift based on assignment and operational needs. Shift schedules may change including scheduling the night shift during daytime hours and employees may be required to cover another shift due to staffing or production needs.
• Ability to travel and temporarily relocate to remote or seasonal operating locations including Oxnard Coachella Yuma and other assigned regions
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to make consistent objective quality assessments
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments and operating areas
• Ability to work independently follow detailed procedures prioritize assignments and communicate concerns appropriately
• Ability to quickly learn and accurately apply new processes procedures and inspection requirements