Job Description

Purpose

:

This position is a critical part of the Operations Team, which that helps the company deliver on one of the most critical components of produce distribution- Quality! The role is fast-paced and complex and has various responsibilities which are pivotal to creating a best-in-class quality and food safety culture.

Responsibilities include the oversight of inbound product inspections, grading, reporting, USDA inspections, FDA inspections, and in-slot quality inspections.

Job Responsibilities

Quality Control Inspection

Adheres to and follows all quality assurance procedures and programs:

o Inbound product inspection: Inspecting the product to identify quality issues, reporting of issues, and USDA inspections

o Coordinates product inspections with the USDA or other necessary regulatory agencies

o Conducts daily walk-through of assigned coolers to check the quality of the product and identify any quality issues

o Daily inspection of dated of product and products deemed highly-perishable, to ensure ideal product rotation

o Identify and remove any distressed product, determine what product needs reworking and what product should be discarded - utilizes repack operations, when necessary, to minimize loss and capitalize on opportunities

o Works with the buyers in the procurement team to coordinate product on hold, inbound receiving inspections, and product being removed from the pick slot

o Coordinates the rework process of applicable distressed/damaged products

o Effectively communicates quality issues to the procurement team

o Assists sales and customer service with quality assurance complaints

Ensures proper sanitizing, disinfecting, and cleaning procedures in place throughout the inspection/grading process

Ensures ongoing teaching, training, and support of the QA associates

Fruit Ripening

o Oversees all activities related to fruit handling, ripening, rotation, and storage; including conducting quality inspections, development of ripening cycles, actual ripening, and the handling/rotation of post ripened product.

o Sort, grade, inspect product in accordance with the color/ripeness chart

o Inspect inbound loads of unripened fruit for pressure, quality, stages of maturity, defects, sizing, and grade

o Work closely with procurement and sales to manage inventory to demand

o Ensure adequate stock of ethylene gas on hand at all times

o Ensure the proper operation of the catalytic generators, including routine maintenance

o Ensure routine cleaning, maintenance, and operation of the banana rooms

Physical Demand

The working conditions and physical demands described are representative of those that must be met in order to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. At times, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. At any time if he or she feels that an accommodation is needed, the employee should contact his or her supervisor or the Human Resources Department.

Ability to regularly use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.

Ability to stand and walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, talk and hear.

Required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or sit.

This position requires specific vision abilities which includes close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Applicants must have the ability to work a varying schedule nights, weekdays or weekends, and some holidays

Work hours may vary, or change based on the business requirements

The job is primarily performed in an office environment

Qualifications

Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Agriculture, Horticulture, or a related field preferred. Minimum of

2-3 years of experience in produce inspection, quality assurance, or food safety

within a distribution or warehouse environment. Prior experience with

USDA or FDA inspections

, or equivalent regulatory interaction, strongly preferred.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance
Work Location: In person