Farm Direct Supply is a fast-paced company with a hardworking and energetic team. We have worked together for our current success and have big goals ahead. We look forward to welcoming a new team member who will help to achieve those goals. Farm Direct Supply continually strives to nurture and expand upon our relationships with our buyers and with consumers. Our team is the core of these relationships. We pride ourselves in providing the work environment and opportunities to exceed industry expectations. Through investing in our employees, we prepare our company for the innovations and successes of the produce industry ahead.
Farm Direct Supply is pleased to make available the position of Quality Control & Operations Manager at our fast-growing company. FDS is an asparagus focused produce company with sales based in Fort Lauderdale and packing based in Miami, FL. The QC & Operations Manager will be responsible for making sure adequate quality produce is received and shipped according to customer specs and ensuring overall execution from an operational standpoint. This is done by inspecting inbound produce shipments, managing physical inventories, communicating effectively to the Director of Operations and executing outbound orders that guarantee delivery to the customer. The position requires an understanding of USDA grading standards and familiarity with retail, wholesale and foodservice produce specifications. The proper candidate should be knowledgeable and consistent in their inspections and be communicative with all reports.
- Must be able to work in the U.S. and travel internationally.
- Able to spend up to three months at one period working remotely (either within or outside the U.S.).
- Maintain a current, valid driver's license (commercial not required).
- Able and willing to work extended hours, including weekends, on an alternating schedule.
- Able to stand, bend and walk throughout the day, sometimes for extended periods.
- Able to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Able to work in a cold environment.
- Conduct on-site, fresh product inspections based on USDA grading standards and determine whether product meets or fails to meet grade requirements.
- As needed, personally visit various cold storage and/or growing facilities and inspect product, providing timely and accurate sourcing information to the Director of Operations.
- Develop good rapport with warehouse and dispatch staff at various locations.
- Generate inspection reports and include pictures of inbound product, pallets and temperatures as applicable.
- Provide timely and accurate reporting to the Director of Operations and other contacts, if instructed to do so.
- Conduct and document inspections of product packaging, with photographic evidence, where issues such as leaning or broken pallets, crushed boxes or other non-conformances (e.g. staples, dinginess, signs of pests, etc.) are present, and communicate such results to the Director of Operations.
- Stage product on floor by order, following directives provided by the Director of Operations to ensure product meets customer specifications.
- Evaluate if product needs to be reworked, returned to shipper and/or disposed and communicate said findings to the Director of Operations.
- Liaise between other QC Inspectors, the Outside QC / Buyer and others as needed on product rework (e.g. restacking, repacking, conditioning) issues.
- Develop an understanding of customer quality specs to improve QC and staging activities.
- Participate in ongoing training efforts to develop knowledge of produce grades and standards.
- Complete bi-weekly physical inventories of fresh produce and have a constant general understanding of inventory status at any given moment.
- Work as liaison between warehouse facility and Food Safety Manager to identify any food safety concerns that may be present and manage corrective actions accordingly.
- Directly manage the ordering and execution of any and all USDA inspections that may be necessary.
- Under guidance from the Director of Operations, guarantee all outbound shipments meet the necessary customer count and quality specs.
- Oversee any and all repack operations to ensure flawless execution from both a quality and quantity standpoint.
- Provide support required from an operational standpoint that assists the general goals of the company.
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Prior experience working in the fresh fruit and vegetable industry preferred.
- Knowledge of produce grades and standards preferred.
- Experience in a quality control or inspector capacity preferred.
- Convey professional etiquette when dealing with stakeholders (e.g. staff, customers, suppliers).
- Consistent, dependable and communicative.
- Bilingual (English and Spanish).
- Be a team player, supports others in the organization when not busy.
- Proficient with use of MS office and other productivity apps.
- Working knowledge of Famous Software preferred but not required.
- Skilled at using various technology, including Windows or IOS-based PCs, tablets and phones.
