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 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 searching for a talented Inspection Operations Supervisor to join our team and play a vital role in advancing organic agriculture. In this dynamic position, you'll oversee the timely completion of farm, handler, and livestock inspections, working closely with our dedicated team of inspectors to ensure the highest standards are met. Collaborating with other Inspection Operations Supervisors, you'll manage approximately 6000 inspections annually for our valued clients. If you're passionate about organic farming and ready to make a meaningful impact, apply now and join us in promoting a healthier world through organic agriculture!

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 an Inspection Operations Manager. This is a United States-based remote position.

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 rate using the Intact database and ensure inspections are submitted on time. 

Specific duties

Inspection assignment

• Monitor CCOF’s Intact database portal for inspection-related action items and address inspection-related action items. Create and assign inspection orders for new clients and existing clients who need 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

• Acts as the main point of contact for 8-12 direct reports. 

• Provides 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 diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Quality of inspections and inspectors 

• Ensures 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:

• 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. 

• Strong Communications skills. Communicates well with others, including sharing context and asking questions to understand others’ perspectives. Organizes and shares information effectively.

• Ability to operate independently and logically 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.

• Completion of IOIA Organic Inspector training or equivalent experience, including proficiency in organic certification standards, inspection procedures, and regulatory compliance.

• One or more years’ experience in a professional office environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including a solid understanding of basic functions and some experience using advanced features in Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, and databases.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish to sufficiently communicate verbally and in writing with clients and inspectors.

• B.A. or B.S. degree or higher in a related field

• One or more years of practical experience in organic agriculture or food systems

• Experience with organic regulations, or other environmental regulatory programs such as USDA (NOP) standards, 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 

• Knowledge and commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles. Comfortable engaging in discussions about race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, or gender and the ways our identities shape our workplace experiences. Understands the historical context for inequities and its present-day implications.

• 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 listing 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 $72,000 – $75,000 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 encourage people with diverse backgrounds and experience to apply.

Inclusivity is a core value at CCOF. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable work and learning environment for all employees. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions.