Inspector Quality Control

Sobeys; Whitby; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Sobeys Inc. in Whitby, Ontario is hiring a Fresh Produce Inspector to ensure incoming produce meets safety, quality, and specification standards.

You will conduct inbound inspections, document defects, and coordinate with vendors and internal teams to drive improved quality and compliance. Key duties include calibrating inspection tools, monitoring cold-chain practices, and supporting food safety initiatives across the distribution center.

Qualifications

• Understanding of quality control principles and fresh produce standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with vendors and teams.
• Attention to detail to identify defects and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks under tight timelines.
• Ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Experience using scales, pressure testers, pulp thermometers, and refractometers.
• Knowledge of food safety requirements and regulatory standards.
• Ability to assess color, maturity, freshness, and overall quality.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inbound inspections of fresh produce per SOPs with sampling and defect identification.
• Evaluate quality against specifications and document/reject non-conforming products.
• Verify attributes: weight, temperature, size, firmness, sugar content, packaging, and pallet condition.
• Monitor handling, storage, and cold-chain in coordination with operations and management.
• Identify high-quality opportunities and communicate with replenishment and category teams.
• Inspect and manage ripening programs for bananas and avocados.
• Perform calibration checks for inspection/testing equipment.
• Coordinate government inspections and sampling activities as required.
• Manage vendor return processes and disposition of rejects.
• Collaborate with vendors to communicate quality concerns and corrective actions.
• Support food safety, QA, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain records and reports of inspections and quality issues.

Skills

Quality control

Communication

Attention to detail

Independent work

Organization

Adaptability

Problem solving

Inspection tools experience

Tools

Scales

Pressure testers

Pulp thermometers

Refractometers

Job description

Whitby Retail Support Centre, 100 Nordeagle Avenue, Whitby, Ontario, Canada

Job Description

Posted Monday, August 3, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Embark on a rewarding career with Sobeys Inc., celebrated among Canada’s Top 100 employers where your unique contributions drive success.

Key Responsibilities

As a Fresh Produce Inspector, you will play a critical role in ensuring only high-quality, safe, and specification-compliant products reach our customers. Your responsibilities will include:

• Conduct inbound inspections of fresh produce according to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including random sampling and defect identification.
• Evaluate product quality against established specifications and document and reject non-conforming products.
• Verify product attributes including weight, temperature, size, firmness (pressure testing), sugar content (refractometer testing), package integrity, and pallet condition.
• Monitor produce handling, storage, and cold-chain management practices in partnership with RSC Operations and Management teams.
• Identify superior-quality product opportunities and communicate findings to Replenishment and Category teams.
• Inspect and manage ripening programs for bananas and avocados, ensuring optimal quality and readiness.
• Perform and document calibration checks for inspection and testing equipment.
• Coordinate government inspections and facilitate sampling activities as required.
• Manage vendor return processes, including documentation and disposition of rejected products.
• Collaborate with vendors to communicate quality concerns and recommend corrective actions or product replacements.
• Support food safety, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives within the distribution center.
• Maintain accurate records and reports related to inspections, product evaluations, and quality issues.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will possess:

• Strong understanding of quality control principles, inspection techniques, and fresh produce quality standards.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with vendors, replenishment teams, category teams, and operations partners.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify defects, quality concerns, and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and perform effectively under tight timelines.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Experience using and calibrating inspection tools such as scales, pressure testers, pulp thermometers, and refractometers.
• General knowledge of food safety requirements, regulatory standards, and best practices.
• Ability to accurately assess product color, maturity, freshness, and overall quality characteristics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and quality documentation systems is considered an asset.

Preferred Experience

• 1–2 years of experience in produce inspection, quality assurance, fresh produce operations, or a related field.
• Experience as a USDA/CFIA inspector, retail produce manager, private produce inspection professional, grower, wholesaler, or similar industry role.
• Familiarity with USDA, CFIA, and fresh produce industry quality standards and regulatory requirements.

Who we are

Sobeys is one of Canada’s leading grocery retailers, with more than 1,600 stores across all 10 provinces and banners including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, and Lawtons Drug Stores. Our 128,000 teammates and franchise affiliates are passionate about delivering great food and exceptional experiences to our customers and communities.

We offer a Total Rewards package designed to support teammates at work and in life. Depending on role and eligibility, teammates may receive health and dental benefits, retirement and savings programs including an Employee Share Ownership Plan, a 10% in-store discount at participating banners, virtual healthcare and an Employee and Family Assistance Program, learning and development opportunities, parental leave top-up, and paid vacation.

Additional Information

External websites may share our organization's job postings which includes compensation information based on similar roles and market benchmarks. These figures are provided for general comparison purposes only and are not issued or verified by our organization.

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to support efficiencies in the candidate screening, assessment, and recruitment processes. These AI tools do not make hiring decisions on behalf of the Company. Hiring decisions are made by our Hiring Teams.

Sobeys is committed to creating accessible and inclusive hiring processes. We will work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process.

Please note: Successful candidates will be required to provide documentation to prove their legal ability to work in the position during the onboarding process. Documentation will be assessed by the employer prior to commencement of work.

Whitby Retail Support Centre, 100 Nordeagle Avenue, Whitby, Ontario, Canada