Sr. Quality Assurance Inspector - Fresh

UNFI; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K & Vacation

Growth opportunities

Company events

Job summary

UNFI is seeking a Quality Assurance Inspector to inspect all incoming shipments and products stored in the warehouse, ensuring compliance with USDA guidelines and company standards. You will maintain records, inform buyers of quality issues, and train personnel on proper handling, storage, and rotation of produce.

The role emphasizes accuracy, communication, and leadership in a fast-paced distribution center environment, with opportunities to contribute to waste reduction and process

Qualifications

• 2–4 years wholesale/retail experience or previous experience as a Retail Department Manager
• 3+ years of experience as an inspector
• Strong analytical skills for data interpretation and analysis
• Leadership ability to motivate others to achieve results daily

Responsibilities

• Inspect incoming shipments and products against USDA/Company specs and maintain inspection records
• Maintain ripening logs and provide training for back-up personnel
• Inspect and reject products based on condition, weight, damage, temperature and other criteria
• Communicate product quality information to buyers and management to reduce waste
• Prepare monthly/quarterly recaps and warehouse condition reports
• Ensure staff are trained in proper handling, storage, and rotation of produce

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Training

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheet software

Job description

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 your food that nourishes families nationwide. Our retailers range from small family-owned stores to Wholefoods Markets 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.

• Competitive Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K & Vacation
• Growth and professional development opportunities.
• Recognition for great work, company events and picnics, and much more.
• Full-time employment opportunity

What does it mean to be a part of the Quality Assurance team?

This team plays a pivotal role in inspecting all incoming shipments within various food and products throughout the warehouse and being stored within it. This role will rate food and products according to company and USDA guidelines, accepting or rejecting products based on condition, damage, and temperature. You will maintain necessary records, inform buyers on product quality, and ensure you are working with management to reduce waste. You will be trained and will train personnel on proper food handling, storage, rotation, and selection of product.

Job Overview

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

Job Responsibilities

• Inspecting 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 duties as assigned.

Experience

Job Requirements:

• 2 – 4 years of wholesale/retail experience or previous experience as a Retail Department Manager
• 3 + years of experience as an inspector

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities

• 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 are 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.

Work Environment

• This position requires the associate to perform all duties at one of our UNFI locations, such as a distribution center or office.

Physical Environemnt/Demands

• 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.
• Woodstock Farms: Ability to work in an environment containing tree nuts, peanuts, soy, wheat, sesame, milk and different spices like pepper, chili, etc.

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. - 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 the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.