Produce QA Inspector

Socket.dev; Methuen (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages weekly

Earned wage access

Associate discounts

Health benefits

Time off

Job summary

Albertsons Companies is seeking a Produce QA Inspector in Methuen, MA. You will inspect incoming shipments, evaluate quality, and conduct tests to ensure freshness and compliance in a cold distribution environment.

Ideal candidates have a High School Diploma or 1–2+ years of relevant experience, and can use Excel/Word and basic reporting tools to document findings and communicate with teams.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; alternatively 1–2+ years of relevant hands-on experience.
• Ability to visually assess quality, color, and defects accurately.
• Strong numerical judgment for estimating defects and quality levels.
• Experience with quality tools (penetrometer, refractometer, etc.).
• Familiarity with MS Excel, Word, and basic reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Inspect all incoming produce and floral shipments according to quality standards.
• Evaluate samples for defects and overall quality, including size, packaging, and temperatures.
• Conduct and document quality tests (pressure, refractometer, weight).
• Monitor on-hand inventory and communicate quality concerns to Inventory teams.

Skills

Quality assessment

Numerical judgment

Excel & Word

Education

High School Diploma

1–2+ years experience

Tools

Penetrometer

Refractometer

Job description

Why choose us?

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Join us for an exciting opportunity at Albertsons Companies, where innovation and customer service go hand-in-hand!

At Albertsons Companies, we are looking for someone who’s not just seeking a job, but someone who wants to make an impact. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to lead, innovate, and contribute to the growth of a company that values great service and lasting customer relationships. This position offers the chance to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that’s constantly evolving.

If you know produce, understand quality, and can spot issues before they become losses, this is a high-impact role inside a fast-paced distribution environment. As a Produce QA Inspector, you’ll be the gatekeeper of product quality, ensuring everything that enters and moves through the DC meets strict freshness and compliance standards.
This is a hands-on role for someone who’s detail-oriented, decisive, and comfortable working in a cold environment where quality matters and speed is critical.

The position will be based in Methuen, MA.

Main responsibilities:

• Inspect all incoming produce and floral shipments according to company quality standards and SOPs
• Evaluate product samples to identify defects and determine overall quality levels
  Assess:
  • Size/count specifications
  • Packaging and pallet integrity
  • Pulp and trailer temperatures
  • Internal and external product condition
• Conduct and document quality testing, including:
  • Pressure testing
  • Refractometer (sugar/content) testing
  • Weight checks
• Monitor on-hand inventory condition and proactively communicate quality concerns to Inventory teams
• Partner with warehouse leadership to correct:
  • Rotation issues
  • Handling problems
  • Slotting inefficiencies
• Support banana ripening operations as needed
• Ensure all findings are accurately recorded and communicated in a timely, professional manner
  

We are looking for candidates who possess the following:

• High School Diploma
  
• OR 1–2+ years of relevant hands-on experience, such as:
  • USDA or third-party inspection
  • Grower/shipper operations
  • Produce or floral retail
  • Equivalent experience can substitute for education
    
• Technical & Functional Skills
  • Ability to visually assess quality, color, and defects accurately
  • Strong numerical judgment (quickly estimating % defects, quality levels)
  • Experience with quality tools (penetrometer, refractometer, etc.)
  • Comfortable using:
  • Microsoft Excel, Word, and basic systems
    • Digital cameras and reporting tools

Physical Environment:

• Regular lifting up to 75 lbs.
• Work performed in a cold environment (~35°F)
• Must be flexible with schedules, including weekends and holidays
  

We also provide a variety of benefits including:

• Competitive wages paid weekly
• Access to up to 50% of your earned wages before payday, via our partnership with Stream
• Associate discounts
• Health and financial well-being benefits for eligible associates (Medical, Dental, 401k and more!)
• Time off (vacation, holidays, sick pay). For eligibility requirements please visit myACI Benefits
• Leaders invested in your training, career growth and development
• An inclusive work environment with talented colleagues who reflect the communities we serve

A copy of the full job description can be made available to you.

#LI-JM2

Albertsons Companies is at the forefront of the revolution in retail. Committed to innovation and fostering a culture of belonging, our team is united with a unique purpose: to bring people together around the joys of food and to inspire well-being. We want talented individuals to be part of this journey!

Locally great and nationally strong, Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI) is a leading food and drug retailer in the U.S. We operate over 2,200 stores, 1,732 pharmacies, 405 fuel centers, 22 distribution facilities, and 19 manufacturing plants across 34 states and the District of Columbia. Our well-known banners include Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Shaw’s, Tom Thumb, United Supermarkets, United Express, Randalls, Albertson’s Market, Pavilions, Star Markets, Market Street, Carrs, Haggen, Lucky, Amigos, Andronico’s Community Markets, King’s, Balducci’s, and Albertson’s Market Street.

Our vision is to be a retail leader admired for national strength with deep local roots, offering an easy, fun, friendly, and inspiring experience, no matter how customers choose to shop with us. We celebrate the rich diversity of the communities we serve, and strive to create a workplace where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources, and can fully contribute to their and our company’s success.

Bring your flavor

Building the future of food and well-being starts with you. Join our team and bring your best self to the table.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed by the employees assigned to this job and are not the official job description for the position. All employees must comply with Company, Division, and Store policies and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties, and skills of personnel may vary within store and/or from store to store and the official job description will be provided during the application process.

Albertsons is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Consistent with applicable state and local law, the Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We endeavor to make this site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at 1-888-255-2269(option #4).

Pay Transparency:

Starting rates will be no less than the local minimum wage and mayvary based on criteria such as location, experience, and qualifications.Candidates with unique qualifications may be considered for compensation above this range.Benefits may include medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, sick pay, PTO/Vacation Pay or Flexible Time Off, paid holidays, bereavement pay, and retirement benefits (pension and/or 401k eligibility). [If applicable:]Associates in this position may be eligible for a quarterly bonus.