Sr. QA Inspector - Fresh

Join our team and immediately become part of the largest distributor of conventional, natural, organic, and specialty products in the United States and Canada. We serve over 43,000 customer locations with 200,000 different products. Our warehouse associates supply thousands of consumers with better-for-you food that nourishes families nationwide. Our retailers range from small family-owned stores to Whole Foods Market and everything in between.

About the role

Inspects all incoming shipments of assigned product groups, as well as products stored in the warehouse, against USDA Good Delivery Guidelines. Ensures all on-hand produce meets the highest quality standards and verifies dated products to meet customer expectations. Develops and manages ripening plans, maintains inspection records, and makes recommendations to reduce warehouse shrink.

Responsibilities

• Inspect all incoming shipments and stored warehouse products, rating them according to Company and USDA specifications.
• Develop a ripening plan for bananas based on a 4-5 day ripening cycle, including training associates for backup purposes.
• Maintain daily ripening logs and necessary inspection/rejection records.
• Accept or reject product based on condition, short weight, transit damage, grade, temperature, and other factors.
• Spot-check frozen foods to ensure compliance with Company standards and specifications.
• Inform buyers on product quality, ensuring correct dates and rotation of product.
• Organize shipping schedules for items with varying degrees of maturity and provide shipping instructions to assembly via warehouse supervision.
• Determine the dollar cost and cause of warehouse shrink due to spoilage and make recommendations for reduction.
• Maintain logs and records of spoilage, including overbuying, lack of retail performance, and weak produce.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly recaps for management review and warehouse condition reports as requested.
• Train appropriate personnel in proper handling, storage, rotation, and selection of produce for shipping.
• Provide shipping crews with daily information on lots to be shipped.
• Perform other relevant job duties as required.

Requirements

• 2–4 years of wholesale/retail experience or previous experience as a Retail Department Manager.
• 3+ years of experience as an inspector.
• Leadership ability to motivate others and deal effectively with a wide variety of people daily.
• Strong analytical skills for data interpretation and analysis.
• Computer skills in word processing and spreadsheet software preferred.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Capable of inspecting unusual loads of ethnic/imported goods more susceptible to contamination.
• Assist in training new quality assurance inspectors and warehousing in slotting temperature requirements.
• Good judgment, as direct supervision may not always be available.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds and stand, walk, bend, stoop, twist, and turn frequently.
• Exposed to temperatures ranging from -20°F to 35°F in Perishable Operations and 37°F to 90°F in Grocery Operations.
• Ability to perform repetitious arm, wrist, and hand movements for maintenance and service procedures.
• Work with hands and arms overhead, under equipment, and in high places.
• Requires manual dexterity, overall coordination, and good balance.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Comprehensive medical insurance with prescription drug coverage.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• 401K with company match.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• On-site grocery store.
• Wellness program that reimburses for healthy lifestyle activities.
• Paid time off, sick time, paid holidays, and parental leave.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account.