Quality Control - Lead

Always Fresh; Town of Florida, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Always Fresh is seeking a Quality Control Lead to supervise daily QC operations in our packing and cold storage facilities. You will lead QC inspectors, assign inspection tasks, provide coaching, and ensure adherence to company standards and food safety practices.

The role requires knowledge of USDA Grade Standards, strong organizational skills, and the ability to train and motivate staff. Occasional travel to remote locations may be needed, with overtime and weekend work as required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 2–5 years of experience in fresh produce quality assurance, agriculture, food manufacturing or warehouse operations.
• Knowledge of USDA Grade Standards and Inspection Procedures.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and electronic quality management systems.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information professionally.
• Punctual, regular attendance and ability to work overtime, nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Lead and assist in supervising daily QC team activities.
• Assign inspection responsibilities during receiving, shipping, rework and packing.
• Provide training and coaching to inspectors and monitor performance.
• Ensure inspection procedures are performed accurately and consistently.
• Perform quality inspections of incoming/outgoing berry shipments and related activities.
• Verify product compliance with customer specifications and USDA standards.
• Assist in inspector calibration and QC training sessions.
• Support disposition decisions for questionable product including holds or rework.
• Comply with GMPs, sanitation and food safety requirements.
• Travel to remote locations as needed for support.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Bilingual English/Spanish (preferred)

Physical stamina

Lead and develop staff

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic quality management systems

Job description

Job Title:

Quality Control InspectorLead

Department:

Operations

Position Type:

Full TimeEmployment - Hourly

Report to:

QualityControlSupervisor

Job Description

Job Purpose:

The Quality ControlLeadis responsible forleading the daily quality controloperationswithin ourpacking and cold storage facilities. This role overseesthe quality control inspectorsand ensures consistent application ofcompanyinspection standards,product specifications andverifies compliance with customerrequirementswhile fostering a culture of continuous improvement,accountabilityand food safety.

Duties& Responsibilities:

• Lead andassistin the supervision of daily activities of the quality control team

• Assign inspection responsibilitiesto inspectors during receiving, shipping, rework, repack and packing activities

• Provide training and coaching to quality controlinspectors andmonitorinspector performance

• Ensure inspection procedures are performed accurately and consistently

• Perform quality inspections of incoming and outgoing berry shipmentsincluding during any packing, repacking, or reworking activities

• Verifyproductcompliance with customer specifications, USDA grade standards, companyproduct specifications

• Perform routineverification of inspectionsto ensure consistency among inspectors

• Provide support in thedecision-makingprocessfor the dispositionofquestionableproductincluding holds, rejections,releaseand rework

• ComplywithGMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), sanitation procedures, and food safety requirements.

• Participate ininspector calibration exercises and annual quality training.

• Monitor productshelf-lifeprogramsand inventory rotation

• Perform other qualitycontrolduties as assigned.

• Travel to other remote locations asneeded for support

Skills/Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Minium of2-5 years’experiencein fresh produce quality assurance, agriculture, foodmanufacturingor warehouse operations

• Knowledge ofUSDA Grade Standards and Inspection Procedures

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and electronic quality management systems

• Excellentorganizationalandcommunicationskills

• Ability to handle confidential information in a professional manner

• Punctual, regular, and consistent attendance, and ability to work overtime, nights and weekends if needed

• Ability to lead, motivate and develop employees

• Bilingual English andSpanish languageproficiency(reading, writing, and speaking) is preferred but notrequired.

Physical Demandsand Working Conditions:

• Required to stand forlong periodsof time

• Ability to bend, stoop, squat, push, pull and perform repetitive motions

• Must be able to lift 20-30lbs as needed

• Must be willing to work in a refrigerated warehouse environment of 33ºF - 40ºF

• Ability towork overtime,weekendsand holidays

This job description is intended to outline the framework of the duties performed by employees in this job. It is notan exhaustive list of all thejob’sresponsibilities. All our jobs include a broad range of activities, duties, andresponsibilities which may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.