Meat Inspector

The Lamb Co-Operative Inc; Oldmans Township (NJ); On-site; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

401(k) company contribution

Company-paid Medical/Dental/Vision/LBD

Job summary

Greenstone Meats is seeking a Quality Control Meat Inspector in New Jersey to ensure products meet USDA and company quality standards. The role involves inspecting products across receiving, production, packaging, storage, and shipping with support from the Food Safety & Quality Assurance department.

The successful candidate will conduct testing, document findings, investigate quality concerns, and participate in audits while upholding GMP and food safety requirements.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; post-secondary education in Food Science, Quality Assurance, or related field is an asset.
• Minimum one year of experience in meat processing, meat inspection, food manufacturing, Food Safety, or Quality Assurance.
• Familiarity with USDA regulations and meat inspection requirements.
• Knowledge of GMPs, sanitation, and HACCP concepts.

Responsibilities

• Perform incoming and outgoing product inspections to ensure customer specifications, USDA requirements, and quality standards.
• Conduct visual, sensory, and physical evaluations of products to verify quality, appearance, and condition.
• Verify temperatures of products and storage areas and maintain accurate temperature records.
• Inspect packaging, labeling, lot codes, date codes, product weights, and USDA approval requirements.
• Monitor GMPs, food safety procedures, sanitation, and workplace safety standards.
• Assist with returned product inspections, evaluations, and reporting.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication (written)

Independent work

MS Office

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Post-secondary education in Food Science/QA or related field asset

Tools

MS Office

Quality documentation systems

Job description

The Quality Control Meat Inspector is responsible for ensuring that all meat products meet company, customer, USDA, food safety, and quality requirements throughout receiving, production, packaging, storage, and shipping operations. This role works closely with the Food Safety & Quality Assurance department to inspect products, verify specifications, perform testing, document findings, investigate quality concerns, and support regulatory compliance activities. The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, organized, and committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety and product quality.

Major Responsibilities

• Perform incoming and outgoing product inspections to ensure products meet customer specifications, USDA requirements, and company quality standards.
• Conduct visual, sensory, and physical evaluations of products to verify quality, appearance, and condition.
• Verify temperatures of products and storage areas and maintain accurate temperature records.
• Inspect packaging, labeling, lot codes, date codes, product weights, and USDA approval requirements.
• Monitor compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety procedures, sanitation requirements, and workplace safety standards.
• Perform metal detector verification and other routine quality control checks.
• Conduct yield testing and record and communicate results.
• Collect microbiological and product samples for testing and laboratory analysis.
• Maintain complete and accurate quality documentation, inspection records, and product evaluation reports.
• Investigate quality deviations, product defects, customer complaints, and non-conforming products.
• Communicate quality concerns and inspection findings to Food Safety & Quality Assurance Management, Production, Procurement, and Sales teams.
• Recommend and participate in corrective action activities to address quality and food safety issues.
• Implement and support product hold, release, and disposition procedures.
• Assist with returned product inspections, evaluations, and reporting.
• Support USDA inspectors and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Participate in internal audits, customer audits, and third-party food safety audits.
• Analyze quality data and identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, new product launches, and food safety programs.
• Assist with Food Safety and Quality Assurance training activities.
• Maintain audit-ready records and documentation at all times.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Key Success Measures

• Accurate and timely completion of product inspections and quality documentation.
• Consistent compliance with USDA, GMP, food safety, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Effective identification and resolution of quality and food safety concerns.
• Accuracy in product testing, sampling, yield testing, and verification activities.
• Successful execution of product hold and release procedures.
• Maintenance of complete and audit-ready records.
• Positive outcomes during USDA, customer, internal, and third-party audits.
• Timely communication of quality concerns and inspection findings.
• Effective support of corrective action and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong collaboration with Production, Procurement, Warehouse, Sales, and Food Safety teams.
• Reduction of product defects, customer complaints, and non-conforming products.
• Adherence to company safety, quality, and food safety standards at all times.

Qualifications & Considerations for the Position

• High School Diploma or equivalent; post-secondary education in Food Science, Quality Assurance, or a related field is an asset.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience in meat processing, meat inspection, food manufacturing, Food Safety, or Quality Assurance.
• Knowledge of meat cuts and meat processing operations preferred.
• Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation, food safety, and quality assurance principles.
• Familiarity with USDA regulations and meat inspection requirements.
• Knowledge of HACCP, SQF, GFSI, FSEP, or similar food safety systems is considered an asset.
• Experience with product testing, sampling, and quality inspection activities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, summarize, and report quality data.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and quality documentation systems.
• Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and strong work ethic.

Core Competencies

• Accountability and Dependability
• Quality Orientation
• Results Orientation
• Teamwork
• Attention to Detail
• Communication Skills
• Problem Solving

Core Values

Engagement – Demonstrates enthusiasm, initiative, and commitment to organizational goals.

Innovation – Identifies opportunities for continuous improvement and creative solutions.

Professionalism – Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and strong work ethics.

Respect – Values diverse perspectives and maintains positive working relationships.

Working Conditions

• Ability to regularly lift packaged meat products up to 60 pounds.
• Work in refrigerated and freezer environments, including coolers (approximately 34°F) and freezers (approximately 0°F to -4°F).
• Regular use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including steel-toed safety boots, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, face masks, and protective clothing.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and repetitive movements.
• Manual dexterity required.
• Fast-paced meat processing and manufacturing environment.
• Overtime and weekend work may be required.

Pay: $25.00 per hour with a pay increase after 90 days based on a performance evaluation.

• Eligible for discretionary bonus
• 401(k) company contribution
• 100% company paid Medical/Dental/Vision/Basic Life Insurance/Short Term and Long-Term disability benefits

Only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Greenstone Meatsis an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law.

Greenstone Meats is committed to providing an accessible and barrier-free environment. Accommodations are available on request for candidates throughout the selection process. Please contact Human Resources if accommodation is required

Qualifications

Skills

Preferred

Work Ethics-Punctual, Professional Advanced

ProblemSolving-Alternative solns Advanced

Behaviors

Preferred

Team Player : Works well as a member of a group

Loyal : Shows firm and constant support to a cause

Leader : Inspires teammates to follow them

Innovative : Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Enthusiastic : Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Detail Oriented : Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.