Packaging Conformance Inspector

Sunset • Livonia, MI

18h • Onsite

About The Position

Mastronardi Produce is seeking a Packaging Conformance Inspector to ensure that inbound and outbound packaging meets established specifications. This role involves daily inspections of packaging at various stages of production and in the warehouse, capturing photographic evidence, and comparing it against defined standards. The inspector will identify and report deviations, serve as a feedback loop between sourcing specifications and operational reality, and contribute to the development of clear and verifiable specifications. This is a hands-on, high-visibility position with opportunities for career growth in packaging engineering.

Requirements

• 0-3 years of experience in food packaging, quality, manufacturing, or related.
• Strong attention to detail and a good visual eye.
• Comfort being on your feet, on the floor, and in cold storage for most of the workday.
• Solid written communication — you can turn a stack of photos into a clear, organized report that someone can act on.
• Proficiency with smartphones, tablets, and basic photo tools; comfort with Excel, PowerBI, SafetyChain, and standard office software a plus.

Nice To Haves

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science, Packaging Engineering, Quality, Food Science, or a related field or equivalent hands-on experience in packaging inspection, quality, or production.
• Experience reading and working from packaging specifications, drawings, or artwork files.
• Familiarity with fresh produce, perishables, or cold chain packaging.
• Exposure to packaging items such as flexible films, thermoformed trays, clamshells, top-seal trays, corrugated boxes, and palletization products.
• Familiarity with food safety standards (SQF, BRC, FSMA) as they relate to packaging.
• Basic photography skills framing, lighting, consistent reference shots.

Responsibilities

• Walk receiving, production lines, packing areas, and the refrigerated warehouse daily to visually inspect primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging.
• Capture high-quality photographs of packaging at each stage of production and finished goods, building a consistent visual record of product coming into distribution center.
• Compare observed packaging against approved specifications: dimensions, print quality, color, graphics placement, label accuracy, seal appearance, case markings, pallet patterns, and stacking configuration.
• Identify and document deviations from specification — wrong artwork version, print defects, mis-sealed packs, damaged cases, incorrect pallet builds — and escalate to the right owner (Sourcing, Quality, Operations, or supplier).
• Maintain an organized photo and inspection database that's searchable by SKU, supplier, line, and date.
• Inspect stacked pallets using step ladders to verify top-of-pallet condition, labeling, and corner protection.
• Partner with Packaging Specialists on the sourcing team to make sure specifications are written clearly enough that any inspector can hold material against them and reach the same conclusion.
• Flag specifications that are vague, missing tolerances, or hard to verify visually — and propose improvements based on what you're seeing on the floor.
• Build incoming inspection criteria and visual standards (gold standard, photo references, defect libraries) so the same checks can be done consistently across shifts and sites.
• Provide structured feedback to internal stakeholders when delivered packaging doesn't match spec, including photo evidence and clear references to the specification clause in question.
• Support first article inspections when new suppliers or new components are introduced.
• Support packaging validation activities by collecting field samples and documenting real-world packaging performance.
• Assist with root cause investigations on packaging-related complaints, damage, or retailer rejections.
• Track recurring defects and surface patterns to Sourcing leadership.

Benefits

• Appropriate cold-weather PPE is provided.
• Direct mentorship from experienced packaging professionals.
• Exposure to the full packaging lifecycle: spec development, supplier qualification, in-line conformance, and continuous improvement.
• A category-leading produce company with national reach and an ambitious sustainability agenda.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed