Sr. QA Inspector - Fresh

UNFI; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance coverage

Dental and Vision insurance

401K with company match

On-site grocery store

Job summary

UNFI in Aurora, CO seeks a quality assurance inspector to supervise incoming shipments and uphold USDA guidelines for perishable items. You will rate product, maintain ripening logs, and coordinate with buyers to ensure dates and rotation meet standards.

You will train colleagues, maintain records of spoilage and temperature checks, and support warehouse operations with timely shipping instructions and data-driven recommendations to reduce shrink.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of wholesale/retail experience or prior Retail Department Manager experience.
• 3+ years of experience as an inspector.
• Leadership ability to motivate others daily.
• Strong analytical skills for data interpretation.
• Computer skills in word processing and spreadsheets preferred.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Capable of inspecting unusual loads of ethnic/imported goods.
• Assist in training new quality assurance inspectors.
• Assist warehousing with temperature requirements of all items.
• Good judgment when supervision may not be available.

Responsibilities

• Inspect all incoming shipments and stored product against specifications.
• Maintain ripening plans and logs for perishable items.
• Organize shipping schedules and provide instructions to warehouse staff.
• Maintain rejection and spoilage records; inform buyers of quality issues.
• Prepare monthly/quarterly recaps for management review.
• Ensure staff training on proper handling, storage, and rotation.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Data interpretation

Attention to detail

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheet software

Job description

Discover What’s Next For Your Career.

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. Are you ready to make an impact on the lives of others and feel good about what you do? Join our growing Distribution team today!

Why Work for UNFI?

• Competitive Salary
• Comprehensive Medical insurance coverage with prescription drug coverage.
• Dental and Vision insurance.
• Even more perks: 401K with company match, tuition reimbursement, on-site grocery store, wellness program that puts money back in your pocket for living a healthy lifestyle!

Position Purpose

Inspects all incoming shipments of assigned product groups, as well as products stored in the warehouse, against USDA Good Delivery Guidelines. Inspects all on-hand produce to ensure quality meets the highest standard. Verifies all dated products to ensure the shipping date meets customer expectations on dated products.

Essential Functions And Basic Duties

• Inspects all incoming shipments of assigned product groups, as well as product stored in the warehouse, may rate products according to Company and USDA specifications. Develop a ripening plan for bananas based on a 4-5 day ripening cycle, including provide training to associate for back up purpose. Maintaining ripening logs daily
• Maintains necessary inspections and rejection records
• Accepts or rejects product based on condition, short weight, transit damage, grade, temperature, and other reasons
• Spot-checks frozen foods to ensure that it complies with the Company’s standards and specifications
• Maintains necessary rejection records
• Informs buyers on product quality as necessary, as well as to ensure dates and rotation of product is correct
• May organize shipping schedule for all items having different degrees of maturity, gives shipping instructions to assembly via warehouse supervision
• Determines the dollar cost and cause of warehouse shrink due to spoilage
• Makes recommendations to management regarding reduction in shrink
• Maintains logs and record of spoilage, including information on overbuying, lack of retail performance, weak produce, etc.
• Prepares monthly and quarterly recaps for review by management
• Prepares warehouse condition reports as requested
• Ensures that appropriate personnel are trained in the proper handling, storage, rotation, and selection of produce to be shipped to the retail units
• Ensures that shipping crews are provided with daily information on lots to be shipped
• Performs other relevant job duties as required

Qualifications

• 2 – 4 years of wholesale/retail experience or previous experience as a Retail Department Manager
• 3 + years of experience as an inspector
• Must possess leadership ability to motivate others to achieve desired results and deal effectively with a wide variety of people daily
• Strong analytical skills required for data interpretation and analysis
• Computer skills in word processing and spreadsheet software preferred
• Possess good communication skills, including verbal and written
• Capable of inspecting the more unusual loads of ethnic/imported goods more susceptible to contamination
• Assists in the training of new quality assurance inspectors
• Assists warehousing in slotting temperature requirements of all items
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds and to stand, walk, bend, stoop, twist, and turn frequently
• Exposed to temperatures ranging from -20 degrees below zero to 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Perishable Operation and 37 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Grocery Operation
• Ability to do repetitious arm, wrist, and hand movements required for maintenance and service procedures
• Must be able to work with hands and arms overhead, and to work in or under the equipment
• Requires manual dexterity, overall coordination, and good balance to work both at ground level and in high places to perform job duties. Ability to operate work-related equipment
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.

Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and California Fair Chance Act.