Position Summary:

Working at UNFI means a career with endless opportunity to grow. We are a company leader in diversity and inclusion. The Manager of Perishable Quality Assurance will lead our associates and drive our quality, freshness and food safety initiatives for all fresh products in the distribution center, as they flow from supplier through to our customers. Improving and managing all aspects of Produce, Meat, Seafood and Floral quality working closely with operations, sales and procurement teams ensuring quality, freshness and customer focused processes and programs are carried out.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Job Responsibilities

• Implements and monitors UNFI quality standards, policies and procedures; teaching and training quality inspection protocol, programs, policies, and processes to deliver freshest product in the industry to differentiate from competitors within retail units. (20%)
• Oversees UNFI fruit ripening program by reviewing projected demand, coordinating orders and delivery with procurement team, conditioning and ripening protocols are followed. Ensuring proper handling procedures, storage and shipping procedures are followed, teaching, training QA, operations teams and external partners on best practices. (20%)
• Responsible for scheduling, training, hiring, evaluation, and qualifications of all Quality Assurance associates at the Distribution centers. Oversight to payroll, scheduling and workflow inside the Warehouse in alignment of the Receiving shift. (10%)
• Maintain expertise on all fresh produce and meat items: Work with other departments to enforce quality specifications upon DC arrival. Establishes, manages, and meets quarterly spoilage targets. Utilizes Retailer scorecards and consumer insights to identify areas of underperformance in freshness that led to lower-than-expected sales and profit goals and commitments. (10%)
• Alignment and standardization of Warehouse QC Departments: Create information flow on a timely basis daily to keep procurement and merchandising teams on top of inventoried product. (10%)
• Create vision and develop programs to reduce produce and meat quality credits and to improve customer satisfaction. (5%)
• Collaborate with departments in procurement to create standard product specifications at all Distribution Centers. Establish daily reporting process of product condition in inventory to inhibit customer dissatisfaction. (5%)
• To ensure that the QA Inspectors are trained and fully understand the use of the Share-Ify tablet to complete inspection at receiving point. Collaborate with inspection team that they a following USDA guidelines on specification as well as trained in knowledge of specs through inspection module training. (10%)
• Working hand in hand with Sr Regional managers with Dignity and Respect toward their associates they manage. (10%)

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/ Certifications/or Equivalent combination of education training and experience:

• College Degree in Agriculture, Food Science, or related field and or a minimum 5 years’ experience in quality control, Quality Assurance, produce sales, food retail management.
• USDA knowledge of Produce/Meat and Interstate Commerce Standards, HAACP, and PACA laws

Experience:

• 5+ years of produce/meat experience in a best-in-class perishable distribution organization and responsible for setting and enforcing produce and meat quality standards. Supervising Associates.

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and oral/written communication skills, with ability to lead and communicate effectively across all levels, and the ability to create/maintain vendor relationships.
• Strong computer skills and proficiencies in Word, Excel and Power Point skills.
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/ DEMANDS:

• Some travel may be required.
• Extended times in coolers conducting Inspections, Quality Audits and Fruit ripening.
• Incumbent may sit for periods of time at desk or computer terminal compiling reports.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit; use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; bend and stoop to see and read package labels and or racking, signage labels.
• Use of Inspection tools, Inspection tablets, scales, knifes and other inspections tools.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone, and other office equipment during normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching are required in completion of job duties.

WAREHOUSE JOB DETAILS:

• Ability to lift up to 50 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 ability to adjust focus.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all.  M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.