Food manufacturing inspector

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course to get some of the skills and knowledge you need for this job.

Courses include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Food and Drink Operations
• T Level in Science

Once working, you would complete further training to become an inspector.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You can work towards this job by doing an advanced apprenticeship for:

• food technologists
• food and drink process operators

You would complete further training in food quality and inspection after your apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

If you're working in the food and drinks industry, you can take training for a:

• Higher Certificate in Food Control
• Advanced Professional Certificate in Food Hygiene and Standards Control

You will also complete a portfolio of work for assessment as part of the training. These qualifications are awarded through the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of public safety and security
• excellent verbal communication skills
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• customer service skills
• the ability to read English
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• maths knowledge
• active listening skills
• business management skills
• administration skills
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Food manufacturing inspectors make sure companies meet hygiene and safety standards, and that products are safe to eat.

In this job, you will:

• inspect conditions in slaughterhouses and processing plants
• carry out quality control checks
• test samples of raw ingredients and processed products
• analyse and present test results
• make sure production processes meet hygiene regulations
• train production staff in the importance of safety standards
• check labelling and packaging
• write quality reports
• advise companies about making improvements, and issue warning notices

Location : You could work at a manufacturing plant or in an office.
Environment : Your working environment may be noisy and you'll travel often.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

40 - 42 hours a week

Working Pattern is on call away from home

Career Path:

With experience you could become a food safety manager, co-ordinating the work of a team of inspectors.

You could also move into environmental health or food science after training.