Quality Assurance Inspector

Marich Confectionery Company; Hollister (CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Marich Confectionery in Hollister, California, is seeking a detail-oriented FSQA Associate to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards across our production lines. The role involves reading procedures, performing inspections (pre-operational, visual, allergen, and metal detection), documenting results, archiving retention samples, and communicating issues to line operators and management.

You will support GMP enforcement, HACCP/CCP verification, and calibration of scales,

Qualifications

• Understanding of HACCP/CCP principles and ability to verify critical control points.
• Knowledge of pre-operational inspections, visual checks, allergen testing, and ATP sanitation monitoring.
• Ability to calibrate scales, thermometers, and related equipment.
• Perform water activity inspections and evaluate results with Mogul operations equipment.
• Enforce GMP and conduct monthly/ daily inspections of Glass, Wood, Ceramic and Plastic areas.

Responsibilities

• Read and understand procedures and specifications relevant to tasks.
• Perform pre-operational line and product changeover inspections including visual checks, ATP, and allergen tests if required.
• Complete FSQA packaging and bulk inspection forms and archive retention samples.
• Verify weights and dimensions using calipers and scales; maintain equipment calibration.
• Record, archive, and manage retention samples per specification requirements.
• Calibrate scales, thermometers, and magnet traps as scheduled.
• Conduct water activity inspections and evaluate product results.
• Lead monthly/daily GMP inspections and report safety and quality issues.
• Communicate clearly with line operators and management about quality concerns.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas; ensure tools and equipment are charged.

Skills

HACCP & CCP Verification

Food Safety & Testing Protocols

Precision Measurement & Calibration

Laboratory Testing

GMP Enforcement

FSQA Record Keeping

Non-Conformance Management

Cross-functional Communication

Bi-Lingual Spanish (nice to have)

Tools

Calipers

Scales

Thermometers

ATP testing kits

Metal Detection

Job description

Located in Hollister, California, Marich Confectionery is a family-owned creator of premium chocolates and gourmet confections. We are dedicated to food safety, premium quality, and operational excellence. Our team thrives in a cooperative workplace built on innovation, teamwork, and meticulous attention to detail. Together, we work to share our exceptional sweets with customers across the country.

Our Commitment

As part of our team, it is your responsibility to report any food safety and/or quality concerns to Management. We ask for your commitment in helping us achieve our Company goals and customer satisfaction. This commitment is essential to our achievement of superior quality and service. We will provide ongoing training for you and all our employees to ensure that we work together as a team to achieve and exceed all food safety and quality expectations and requirements.

Core Responsibilities

• Reading and understanding the procedures and specifications that apply within their tasks.
• Perform pre-operational line and product changeover inspections. This includes visual
• inspections, ATP, and allergen test inspections if required, and product inspection if applicable.
• Complete appropriate FSQA Packaging inspection forms, including documentation such as metal detection and finished product inspections. according to the product
• specifications.
• Complete appropriate FSQA Bulk inspection forms, including documentation such as metal detection and finished product inspections. according to the product specifications. Includes weigh and measure products and verify products dimensional requirements, using calipers, scales, and calculator.
• Collect, record, and archive retention samples, according to the specification requirements. This includes creating record files of the retention samples.
• Verification and calibration of scales, thermometers, roasting equipment, magnet traps according to the frequency established in the procedures.
• Water activity inspections on products required in the Mogul. Including product evaluation according to the product specification.
• Monthly and Daily GMP’s Glass, Wood Ceramic and Plastic Inspection. Including Enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Safety rules for all employees throughout the facility and submitting repair and maintenance requests
• Internal Non-Conformance (INC) Procedure, conduct research, gather the required information for the preparation of the INC document, create data files, and submit the INC document. Include product records in HOLD Log as needed.
• Monthly Production Cleaning Inspection and Records. Includes inspection process of the requested area, verification and filing of the Monthly Inspection record sheet.
• Effectively and professionally communicate with line operators and management regarding quality and food safety issues.
• Keep work areas clean and organized. This includes keeping batteries charged for lamps, walkies, scales, ATP Machine, and the work tools. Includes reporting any malfunctions in work tools.

Preferred Qualifications

Technical & Food Safety Skills

• HACCP & CCP Verification: Knowledgeable in monitoring and verifying Critical Control Points, specifically roasting (CCP1) and packaging metal detection (CCP3).
• Food Safety & Testing Protocols: Proficient in conducting pre-operational line inspections, visual inspections, allergen test kits, and ATP sanitation monitoring.
• Precision Measurement & Calibration: Skilled in using tools like calipers, scales, and calculators to check dimensional specs, with the ability to routinely calibrate scales, thermometers, and magnet traps.
• Laboratory Testing: Ability to perform water activity (\(a_{w}\)) inspections and evaluate product results using specialized equipment (e.g., Mogul operations).
• GMP Enforcement: Deep understanding of Food Safety regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and the ability to confidently conduct and enforce daily/monthly Glass, Wood, Ceramic, and Plastic inspections.

Documentation, Compliance & Administrative Skills

• FSQA Record Keeping: High attention to detail in completing accurate FSQA Packaging, Bulk, and monthly cleaning inspection logs.
• Sample Archiving: Organized approach to collecting, recording, and creating tracking files for retention samples according to strict specifications.
• Non-Conformance Management: Strong research and data-gathering skills to thoroughly document Internal Non-Conformance (INC) reports and manage the product HOLD log.

Soft Skills & Operational Support

• Cross-functional Communication: Excellent professional communication skills to report quality issues, safety violations, or line stops to both operators and upper management.
• Problem Solving & Escalation: Ability to identify line deviations, initiate maintenance/repair requests, and handle safety rule interventions constructively.
• Workplace Organization: Proactive mindset regarding workspace cleanliness and preventative maintenance, ensuring essential tools (walkies, lamps, ATP machines) remain charged and operational.
• Bi-Lingual/Bi-Literate in Spanish is a plus.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment.

Physical Requirements

• Standing, Walking and Climbing: Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods, and be able to climb staircases as needed to visit/inspect areas of the plant.
• Repetitive Movements: Some tasks involve repetitive motions. Must be able to perform these repetitive movements without experiencing strain or discomfort.
• Manual Dexterity: Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity is required (i.e. typing).
• Balance and Coordination: Jobs may require working on elevated platforms, ladders, or scaffolding may necessate good balance and coordination skills to prevent accidents.
• Vision and Hearing: Good vision and hearing are essential for identifying defects, reading instructions, and maintaining situational awareness in a manufacturing environment.
• Bending and Stooping: Manufacturing settings may require employees to bend, stoop, or crouch to access equipment or perform certain tasks. Flexibility and the ability to bend safely are important.
• Respiratory Health: In environments with potential exposure to dust, chemicals, or fumes, respiratory health may be a concern. Some jobs may require the use of respiratory protection equipment, so employees must be physically capable of wearing and using such equipment.
• Temperature Tolerance: Facility can have varying temperature conditions. Work may require employees to work in hot or cold environments.

Commitment to Accessibility:

In compliance with the ADA guidelines. we provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to guarantee equal employment opportunities

• On Site: This position requires you to be onsite at the facility at a minimum of five days a week, Monday through Friday, with occasional overtime as needed per business needs.
• Temperature Control: Our facility maintains strict temperature controls to ensure food safety and product quality. While much of your work will occur in a temperature-controlled environment, you may occasionally be exposed to work or visit cold or hot rooms.
• Noise Level: This position involves working in an office setting within our Plant. It can be loud due to the operation of industrial machinery and the movement of forklifts. Hearing protection is required while in production areas of the plant and will be provided to ensure your comfort and safety.
• Industrial Machinery: You will work alongside a variety of industrial machines designed for food processing and packaging. Proper training and safety measures will be in place to ensure your safety while operating or working near these machines.
• Allergen/Chemical Exposure: You may work or be exposed to food products that contain allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, milk, eggs, etc. Cross-contact and exposure to allergens can occur during various stages of production. Additionally, in the course of your duties, you may handle or come into contact with cleaning agents, sanitizers, food additives, and other chemicals used in our manufacturing processes. Proper training and safety protocols will be provided to minimize risks.
• Good Manufacturing Process: We take our food safety seriously! We follow strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's) to ensure proper food safety, quality and commitment to the health and safety of our teams and customers. This means you will be expected to comply with proper PPE usage and behaviors compliant to our Food Safety and Quality standards. All plant employees are required to wear slip-resistant/non-slip shoes and provided uniforms while in the plant.

Pay Range

The target salary range for this position is $17.00 per hour - $19.00 per hour. The actual rate offered will depend on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, years of relevant experience.

Marich Confectionery is an Equal Opportunity Employer

that bases all employment decisions on merit and operational needs, fostering an inclusive workplace free from discrimination under California and federal law.