Job Overview
Since opening in 1984, Van-Whole Produce has remained the leading experts in produce trading by providing high-quality and fresh produce to its clients. With our continuous expansion of client networks, we now provide fresh produce to more than 1,300 produce markets across Canada. To this day, we are still committed to provide personalized attention, value-added service, and provide the highest quality in produce to our clients. We place our customers first by bringing over 400 varieties of fresh produce from over 40 different countries
This position, reports to the QA Senior Supervisor, is responsible for inspecting returned produce, assessing product quality, overseeing grading and sorting activities, and ensuring company quality standards are maintained. The successful candidate will also serve as the backup QA during planned or unplanned absences, supporting product inspections, quality monitoring, food safety compliance, and quality documentation.
Role and Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate daily returns and regrading activities.
- Inspect returned and inbound produce for quality, freshness, grade compliance, and defects.
- Assess product condition and determine appropriate disposition, including regrading, repacking, restocking, donation, or disposal.
- Ensure produce is graded according to company standards, food safety requirements, and customer specifications.
- Identify, document, and report quality trends, recurring defects, and product concerns.
- Maintain accurate quality records, inspection reports, and supporting documentation.
- Provide backup coverage for Quality Assurance operations during absences, vacations, or scheduling gaps.
- Conduct inbound and outbound produce quality inspections.
- Monitor product quality throughout warehouse operations and promptly escalate concerns when necessary.
- Assist with quality investigations, non-conformance reporting, corrective actions, and product holds as required.
- Complete QA inspection reports and quality documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
- Support compliance with food safety programs, GMP, HACCP, customer requirements, and company quality standards.
- Train employees on produce quality standards, inspection procedures, food safety practices, and regrading procedures.
- Lead by example in promoting food safety, quality standards, and workplace safety.
- Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and productive work environment.
- Communicate effectively with Warehouse Operations, Purchasing, Sales, and Inventory teams regarding product quality issues and product disposition decisions.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives related to quality control, regrading processes, and food safety compliance.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and operational efficiency.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- 2+ years of experience in quality control or produce handling , food distribution, or a related field.
- Previous lead hand, team lead, or supervisory experience.
- Strong knowledge of fresh produce quality standards, grading specifications, ripeness stages, and common defects.
- Ability to make objective quality-related decisions.
- Strong verbal and written English communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work in a refrigerated environment.
- Familiarity with food safety standards (HACCP, GMP) is an asset.
Join our team as a Lead Hand and contribute to our commitment to excellence in product quality and operational efficiency!
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $23.00-$24.50 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Flexible language requirement:
Experience:
- Produce Quality: 1 year (required)
- Supervising: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
