Job Title: MSIP QA Technician (Carcass & Viscera Inspection)
Status: Full-time
Department: R&D/Quality Assurance
Salary: $29 to $35/hour
The MSIP Screener performs carcass and viscera screening on the Harvest Floor to ensure food safety and product quality in compliance with company programs and applicable regulatory requirements, including CFIA regulations, HACCP standards, and the Modernized Slaughter Inspection Program (MSIP).
This role requires sustained attention to detail, accurate defect classification, and clear real-time communication with other Harvest Floor positions to support timely disposition and smooth production flow.
Key Responsibilities
Inspection and Assessment
- Perform post-mortem inspection of carcasses, viscera, and heads in accordance with regulatory and company standards
- Identify and assess abnormalities, disease conditions, or contamination concerns
- Make disposition decisions (retain, trim, condemn) within scope of role and escalate as required
- Decide when the line needs to be stopped to determine cause(s) of abnormalities
- Make consistent, timely inspection decisions within defined guidelines, and escalate concerns when required
Carcass Screening
- Visually inspect all carcasses post‑split saw for contamination, defects, and pathological lesions
- Mark defects with approved food‑grade ink and communicate trim requirements to the final trimmer
- Apply hold tags and ensure carcasses requiring CFIA veterinary assessment are directed to the vet rail
- Coordinate closely with the Viscera Screener to align carcass and viscera findings
Viscera Screening
- Visually inspect all viscera post‑presenter using visual assessment and cutting/slashing of affected organs as required
- Identify and mark viscera contaminated with bile, ingesta, or fecal matter for disposition
- Apply tags and ensure viscera requiring CFIA veterinary assessment are segregated per site procedure
- Communicate findings in real time with the Carcass Screener to align carcass and viscera dispositions
Defect Classification (MSIP / CFIA Categories)
- Correctly identify and classify defects in accordance with MSIP training materials and CFIA regulatory categories
- FS-1 – Infectious condition (e.g., septicemia/toxemia, cysticercus)
- FS-2 – Digestive content/milk (e.g., fecal material, ingesta, milk)
- OCP-1 – Carcass pathology (e.g., arthritis, emaciation, erysipelas, localized abscess, mastitis, metritis, pericarditis, pleuritis, pneumonia, uremia)
- OCP-2 – Visceral pathology (e.g., cystic kidneys, enteritis/gastritis, nephritis/pyelonephritis, peritonitis, parasites other than cysticercus)
- OCP-3 – Miscellaneous (e.g., anemia, bile, bruise, edema, external mutilation, fractures, icterus, odour, skin lesions, scabs, toenails not removed)
Compliance & Documentation
- Follow MSIP protocols, CFIA regulatory requirements, HACCP standards, and site food safety programs
- Accurately document findings, tags/holds, dispositions, and deviations as required to support traceability and audit readiness
- Support internal and external audits by maintaining clear, timely records and participating in corrective actions as needed
Collaboration
- Collaborate with Harvest Floor QA, production, and CFIA inspection staff to ensure alignment on defects, holds, and dispositions
- Communicate findings clearly and promptly in real time to support corrective action (trim/hold/segregation) and minimize production disruption
Food Safety & Quality
- Ensure only product meeting food safety and quality requirements proceeds through the process by identifying, tagging, and escalating defects/contamination
- Support HACCP and prerequisite programs through monitoring, documentation, and adherence to standardized procedures
Health, Safety & Animal Welfare
- Follow all health and safety protocols
- Maintain awareness of humane handling and animal welfare standards as they relate to inspection findings
What Success Looks Like
Success in this role means consistently identifying issues accurately, making sound decisions under pressure, and contributing to a smooth production flow while upholding the highest food safety standards.
Qualifications / Experience
Education / Knowledge
- Diploma or degree in food science, animal science, chemistry, or a related field OR a minimum of 3 years’ experience in pork slaughter with demonstrated ability to identify defects on the line (preferred)
- Knowledge of food safety, HACCP, CFIA requirements, and meat inspection/animal anatomy (preferred)
Experience
- Experience in food processing (evisceration/harvest floor), quality assurance, or a meat processing environment (strong asset)
- MSIP screening experience and/or familiarity with carcass and viscera screening processes (preferred)
Skills & Attributes
- Exceptional attention to detail and ability to sustain focus while inspecting every carcass/viscera set
- Ability to accurately identify, classify, mark, and communicate defects in a fast-paced production environment
- Comfortable working on the Evisceration/Harvest Floor (standing, repetitive visual work; exposure to cool, wet processing conditions)
- Clear, confident communication to coordinate trim/holds/segregation with production and CFIA staff
- Able to follow standardized procedures, regulatory requirements, and documentation expectations
Working Conditions
- Work performed on the Evisceration/Harvest Floor at defined screening stations (post-split saw and/or post-viscera presenter)
- Exposure to cold temperatures, moisture, and food processing conditions
- Standing for extended periods
- Use of PPE required
This role is a key part of our commitment to food safety, regulatory compliance, and delivering products our customers can trust.
This is a new position.
Northern Farms does not use AI in any stage of the recruitment and selection process.
Pay: $29.00-$35.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Life insurance
- Vision care
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Arthur, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Work Location: In person
