QC Grower

About the role

The QC Grower Technician ensures daily delivered products meet company quality standards and communicates issues and concerns to growers and the sales department. The incumbent inspects and reports all product inventory within the warehouse cooler following food safety standards. Works directly with the Grower Liaison team and Sales to establish produce quality standards based on market needs. This position also assists in internal audits and works with the Grower Supply Assistant Manager on furthering quality processes.

Responsibilities

• All employees are responsible for food safety and are expected to notify the appropriate manager, supervisor, or key personnel if they witness any compromise to food safety or food quality
• Meet daily with the sales team at start of shift to review daily products, expectations, and market needs
• Daily meet and greet growers on site as products are delivered and follow inspection process for all incoming products
• Provide real-time feedback to growers if needed (in person, phone, or email); compose group text to provide feedback as needed
• Inspect inbound truck commodities during winter season and for all buy/sell goods; assess product temperatures and review proper shipping methods were used to protect product
• Take pictures of product being delivered to show all aspects of quality
• Document product quality using internal reporting log
• Upload pictures into internal department shared drive
• Submit daily end-of-day QA/QC Report to appropriate departments
• Daily cooler walkthrough at beginning of shift to assess proper product storage; review previous “On-Hold” products
• Identify any potential “On-hold” products that do not meet quality standards; label/tag products immediately and follow food safety reporting process to manager
• Review and verify all cooler temperatures meet safe food storage standards, daily
• Review and verify all product temperatures meet safe food storage standards, daily
• Ensure applicable products are being hydrocooled and pressure cooled, as needed
• Proactively report aging of products to sales, daily/weekly or as applicable
• Conduct shelf-life report twice a week
• Utilize warehouse equipment (utility cart) to move and place products in appropriate slots, as needed
• Safely operate equipment; follow all company procedures (SOPs, SSOPs)
• Monitor and review inventory dashboard daily for on-hold vs. sold items, shelf-life products; know what products are in the cooler vs. physical products
• Understand the defects and QC issues that pertain to each commodity
• Work with several departments to investigate inventory discrepancies, make corrections, and follow through to completion
• Understand product, how to read harvest schedules, inventory, and grower information
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Self-starter, strategic and independent thinker with good business acumen
• Excellent time management and capable of meeting work schedule deadlines
• Adaptability/flexibility, with the ability to react quickly to changing requirements from internal and external conditions while maintaining good communication with all parties involved
• Produce/grocery/food industry experience a plus
• Strong planning and organizational skills with a high attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong and well-organized communicator, both written and verbal
• Personable and comfortable following up on quality issues with growers
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
• Ability to work in a refrigerated environment at 36–40°F, as well as outside weather conditions
• Ability to maintain a safe working environment by following all safety practices and food safety procedures
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage effective the first of the month following hire
• ESOP (profit sharing) and 401(k)
• Paid vacations and paid holidays
• Coverage under state sick leave
• 100% prepaid college tuition for employees and their dependents
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Pay

$20.00–$22.00+ per hour. Potential 90-day performance-based raise. Yearly review with possibility of increase based on performance and tenure.