Employed Organic Inspector

Location: Remote (Northampton-Milton Keynes)
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
A full UK driving license is required for this role.

About our Organisation

Soil Association Certification Ltd exists to accelerate the just transition across food, farming and land use, as a global leader in sustainability certification. We deliver trusted solutions with nature, for people and planet through the certification of high integrity holistic standards. These assurance schemes cover a wide range of sectors including food, forestry, farming, landscape restoration carbon markets, beauty and wellbeing, textiles and catering.

We are recognised and trusted by consumers and businesses around the world, operating in over 60 countries delivering FSC and PEFC certification, and you will also find the Soil Association organic symbol on over 70% of organic products in the UK.

About the Opportunity

Take your food-industry experience into a career with more independence, variety and room to grow. Join Soil Association Certification as a home-based Organic Inspector: a trusted field role combining independent inspection work with structured professional training and pay progression, and opportunities to broaden your certification expertise over time.

The role

Working mainly on-site at operator locations across the Midlands and surrounding areas, you will carry out inspections of organic food facilities and provide clear, professional assessments against certification requirements. Some home-based working will also be required for report writing, planning and administrative tasks.

The role offers considerable autonomy and variety. You will manage your inspection diary, prepare for and conduct site visits, communicate findings clearly and work with businesses operating in a wide range of food production and processing environments.

You will work independently for much of the time, while remaining connected to experienced colleagues and the Inspectorate management team for technical guidance and support. Working away from home will be required when necessary.

Training and career development

Our structured inspector training and competency sign-off program includes induction, technical and scheme training, shadowing experienced inspectors, practical and supervised inspection experience, and competency assessment before independent sign-off.

Ongoing training and technical support will help you broaden your inspection scope, build specialist knowledge and develop your career across a range of certified schemes.

About You

You will bring relevant inspection or auditing experience together with a background in food manufacturing and an understanding of the pressures and practical realities of the food industry.

You will need the confidence and professional judgement to work independently, communicate effectively with different types of businesses and people, manage your own workload and handle inspection findings—including non-compliances—clearly and constructively.

We are primarily seeking experienced organic inspectors. However, we will also consider applicants with relevant professional experience who can demonstrate the skills and potential to succeed in the role. Our structured training programme supports suitable candidates in developing the specialist knowledge and competencies required for organic inspection.

Our Benefits

We offer a range of financial and lifestyle benefits to all our employees, including:

• 27 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
• Pension scheme with ethical investment options and employer contribution increasing with length of service
• Free membership of the Soil Association and discounts on organic produce
• Volunteer days to give back to the local community or support green initiatives
• Family friendly policies and flexible working
• Cycle to work scheme
• Sociable and engaging workplace of professionals that share a passion for healthy, sustainable lifestyle and produce