Inspection Operations Supervisor

Who we are: CCOF advances organic agriculture for a healthy world. We advocate on behalf of our members for organic policies, support the growth of organic through education and grants, and provide organic certification that is personal and accessible.

CCOF is a nonprofit organization governed by the people who grow and make our food. Founded in California over 50 years ago, our roots now span the breadth of North America, and our presence is internationally recognized. We are supported by an organic family of farmers, ranchers, processors, retailers, consumers, and policymakers. Together, we work to realize a future where organic is the norm.

Position Summary:

CCOF is seeking an Inspection Operations Supervisor who manages a steady and timely pace of inspections across farm, handler, and livestock operations throughout the year. The Inspection Operations Supervisor is responsible for assigning qualified inspectors and ensuring all inspections comply with USDA organic requirements. 

If you're passionate about organic agriculture and ready to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply. Step into a leadership role where you’ll join a dynamic and mission-driven team that collaborates to support inspectors and ensure client needs are met.  Your guidance will help streamline operations, foster team success, and make a lasting impact on organic integrity.  

The Inspection Operations Supervisor works with a team of three or more other Inspection Operations Supervisors to coordinate approximately 6000 inspections annually for about 4000 clients. 

This position does not include on-site inspections of certified organic operations or other regular field work. The Inspection Operations Supervisor may have periodic opportunities to perform in-field inspector evaluations during organic inspections. 

This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the CCOF Inspection Operations Manager. This is a United States-based remote position. 

Initial phone interviews are scheduled to begin November 3, 2025 

Essential Responsibilities:

• Assign organic inspections to inspectors using the Intact database, meeting internal inspection completion goals, and maintaining compliance with USDA organic inspection requirements.
• Supervise and support 8 to12 inspectors.
• Monitor overall inspection completion rates using the Intact database, ensuring timely submission of inspections reports.

Specific Duties

Inspection Assignment

• Monitor CCOF’s Intact database portal for inspection-related action items and ensure timely resolution of those items. Create and assign inspection orders for new clients, as well as for existing clients requiring additional inspections.
• Provide written and verbal inspection instructions for inspectors. 
• Provide Inspection Fee estimates for new applicants. 
• Ensure efficient use of inspector resources including travel expenses.  
• Track status of inspection assignments and communicate with inspectors regarding late inspections or other scheduling needs. 
• Address client inquiries about inspection scheduling and inspection complaints.

Inspector Supervision

• Act as the main point of contact for 8-12 direct reports.
• Provide direct support to inspectors via email, phone, and web meetings regarding inspection assignments and CCOF inspection systems, including the Intact database and the MyCCOF inspector web portal.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations for direct reports, assessing inspection quality, timeliness, professionalism, and timely communication. 
• Oversee direct reports by giving and receiving feedback and addressing performance problems, defining roles and goals, delegating, modeling CCOF's values and imparting our culture to their direct reports, ensuring CCOF remains in compliance with employment laws, and promoting equal opportunities for all staff members.

Quality of Inspections and Inspectors 

• Ensure that database and communications records regarding inspections and inspectors are consistent and current.
• Assist in maintaining CCOF’s roster of qualified inspectors through assessment, training, ongoing support, and evaluation of inspectors.
• Work on special projects as deemed necessary by the Director of Inspection Operations or Chief Certification Officer. 

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in regulatory compliance to a certification standard or related experience, including professional experience conducting and/or coordinating organic inspections, assigning inspections, supporting inspector performance, and ensuring compliance with USDA organic standards and internal timelines or related experience in regulatory compliance
• Completion of IOIA Organic Inspector training or equivalent experience, including proficiency in organic certification standards, inspection procedures, and regulatory compliance.
• Inclusive leadership and management skills. Ability to build relationships and trust with direct reports and team members. Uses coaching, training, and feedback to develop and help direct reports become more effective. Embraces change and sets goals that align with the organization’s vision. Proven track record and willingness to navigate difficult conversations with professionalism and empathy. Delegates skillfully by clearly communicating expectations for the outcomes of the work, ensuring team alignment on work plans and processes, checking-in on ongoing work, and creating accountability and opportunities for learning. Holds the team accountable and recognizes areas for professional growth.
• Strong communications and collaborative teamwork skills. Professional written and verbal communication. Writes clearly with the ability to tailor messages to various audiences including individuals from different backgrounds, sharing context and asking questions to understand others’ perspective and fostering effective and engaging interactions.  Organizes and shares information effectively.
• Highly Organized, motivated, and detailed oriented. Understand how to prioritize competing needs and tasks without sacrificing quality. Reliably completes assignments within assigned deadlines. Proactive, self-directed and driven to achieve goals. Asks for help when needed. Helps others prioritize competing needs. Reliably supports direct reports with their assignments.
• Attention to detail: Notices and fixes errors that others might overlook. Acknowledges mistakes and turns them into learning opportunities. Has a track record of leaving things better than they found them.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving ability. Solve problems by grasping the subtleties of complex issues and identifying patterns in challenges. Comes up with insightful, pragmatic, equitable, and sustainable ways to tackle common challenges while working autonomously under pressure.
• Consistency, dependability, and responsiveness. Ability to consistently produce a high standard of work. Meet deadlines and attend meetings and events on time. Responsive to high priority requests and questions.
• Ability to work within multiple collaborative environments. Versatility in adapting to diverse workgroups, communication styles, and professional interactions.
• Proficiency in computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, and databases programs. Effectively manages emails, creates professional documents, spreadsheets, and maintains accurate database records.

Desired Qualifications:

• Intermediate Spanish language skills to speak fluently, write detailed texts, and deal with complex texts, such as organic certification programs.
• B.A. or B.S. degree or higher in Agriculture Science, Environmental Science, Organic and Sustainable Food Systems, or related field.
• One or more years of practical experience in organic agriculture or food systems.    
• Experience with other regulations, such as Regenerative Organic, Food Safety, or other environmental regulatory programs.
• Experience conducting organic inspections including knowledge of organic certification standards, auditing procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Operations and logistics experience including inventory control, transportation logistics, and process optimization.
• Auditor training for food quality production systems or a similar field.
• Commitment to anti-discrimination and employee well-being. Knowledge and commitment to the principles of anti-discrimination. A willingness to engage in discussions about race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, or gender and the ways our identities shape our workplace experiences.
• Experience working remotely with in-office and remote teams.

Supervisory Responsibilities Or Key Relationships:

• This role will be responsible for managing a team of 8-12 direct reports.

Physical And Travel Requirements:

• Ability to travel domestically (about 5 days a year)
• Prolonged periods sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation: CCOF takes pride in offering competitive pay and benefits such as superb health plans, 401(k) program, and generous sick/personal and vacation time. The Inspection Operations Supervisor’s starting salary range will be $83,000 – $85,000 and will depend on qualifications and experience.  

Hiring Process: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Interested applicants, please submit the following documents:

• Cover letter summarizing your interest in CCOF and the position, and qualifications
• Current resume
• List of three professional references 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone calls, please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest.

CCOF is an equal opportunity employer. We prioritize community, well-being, and belonging, ensuring that everyone has a chance to contribute, develop and succeed. We encourage people with various talents and experience to apply.

Community-building is a core value at CCOF. We are passionate about cultivating and sustaining a work environment where all employees can thrive. We believe every member of our team enriches our culture by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world.