Food production and processing has become a centralized business, where factories process thousands of pounds of foods hourly in one location and then ship the products across the country if not the world. Food manufacturers do this by processing raw vegetables, meats, fruits, nuts, grains, meats, and dairy products into finished products ready for the local supermarket or restaurant. With centralized processing, food products may be shipped beyond the local market to international markets.
To ensure high quality, the United States Department of Agriculture oversees all aspects of production and distribution. Factories hire compliance jobs in the form of quality control technicians and food inspectors to monitor all process steps before during and after production.
Educational Requirements for Food Quality Compliance Jobs
Because the food-processing field is responsible for a wide variety of products from snacks and desserts, to dairy products, ice cream and prepared meals, the educational requirements may also vary by company and position. Compliance inspectors and quality control workers generally require an Associate’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree in food sciences or a related field. In larger organizations, Food Scientists and Quality Control Supervisors may hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree.
Job Descriptions and Skills for Food Quality Compliance Jobs
Because most food processing is highly automated, quality compliance jobs in food processing require a demonstrated understanding of process management and engineering. Inspectors look for problems through testing samples or looking for variations in processing. If the facility produces frozen treats, the inspector will ensure that the line is injecting the raw ingredients in the right amount at the right temperature. The compliance inspector is responsible for rejecting defective items immediately, as well as notifying the line supervisor to make adjustments if defects are found.
To ensure a high quality product, inspectors weigh, sort, and test samples. They then compare the results against acceptable standards. Quality control technicians and inspectors may also need to understand statistical sampling, as well as understand how to apply controls to experiments to ensure that food quality and consistency are maintained. If any variations are noted, the quality control inspector may work with the Food Scientist as well as the line supervisor to adjust the machinery, formulations or processes to ensure that the food product is safe, consistent and of high quality.
Compliance technicians and quality inspectors must understand the recipes and processes required to manufacture the products the factory delivers. In order to be effective and ensure the factory’s product complies with all laws and regulations, the applicant should also demonstrate the ability to read and interpret complex regulations in a manufacturing environment.
Areas to Emphasize for Compliance Inspectors and Technicians
Because food products may spoil resulting in major recalls, illness and image problems for the brand and manufacturer, quality control technicians monitor compliance with the process plans for every step of the manufacturing line. They have responsibility for all steps of the manufacturing process, starting with the delivery of the raw ingredients, through the manufacturing and the eventual distribution of the foods, ensuring that no contamination or temperature variations outside of the normal zones occur.
Food compliance monitoring requires skills in reading technical equipment and analyzing samples for contaminants using chemical or biological techniques. Applicants should show that they have experience utilizing laboratory equipment as well as possess an understanding of the processes for ensuring that contamination has not occurred. For example, demonstrating times in previous situations where the applicant has applied science-based controls from raw materials to finished products would be seen as a major strength.
Compliance and Quality inspectors must also have an attention to detail, as well as clearly understand the rules and regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture. The Compliance and Quality inspectors also must be able to interpret how the regulations apply to the manufacturing process.
If foods are shipped to other countries, applicants for compliance jobs that monitor quality also need to demonstrate an understanding of the regulations of other countries or trading zones. Compliance inspectors also need to have an understanding of the financial costs of quality, as well as the costs to the organization for failing to comply with regulations, including the cost of destroying foodstuffs that do not pass inspection.
Because quality control compliance positions may work with food scientists as well as engineers to ensure that processes do not introduce contamination, the applicant should also demonstrate excellent communication skills as well as a solid understanding of the processes and sources of contamination for the type of food processed.
Conclusion
Compliance is a rapidly growing career path in numerous industries and professional areas. With the greater emphasis placed on following precisely the regulations and laws for food purity and processing, as well as the increased costs of sanctions, compliance careers now also are part of the food manufacturing and processing industry.
