Loblaw Produce International (LPI), formerly So Fresh Produce, offers Loblaw Companies Limited (LCL), one of the largest retailers in Canada, an extensive array of services to advise and optimize Loblaw’s fresh produce sales. LPI has been in business for over 50 years and our unique business model offers a great value to Loblaw. Ultimately, we are looking to assist Loblaw to win in quality, variety, innovation, and speed.
LPI has a highly skilled team of Vendor Development Managers (VDM’s) and Quality Assurance Specialists (QAS). The team is experienced in fresh produce production, distribution, and produce retail sales. LPI VDM’s are located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, and Spain. From these countries, we are able to inspect the major growing areas of North America, South America, Southern Europe, with the possibility of traveling to areas outside the above listed regions.
In summary, our services enable Loblaw to meet the customer’s needs by sourcing direct, maintaining spec., improving service level, delivering produce with a longer product life, while providing great tasting product.
We are currently looking to fill a full time position for a Quality Assurance Specialist in Oxnard, CA.
As a Quality Assurance Specialist you are accountable for inspecting and evaluating all inbound produce. You will also monitor when products are to arrive, by contacting the vendors when their trucks are late for their appointments. You will communicate regularly with various internal stakeholders such as Category Management, Product Technologist Team, Loblaw Produce International team and Supply Chain to ensure that all objectives are being met.
- Thorough knowledge of fresh produce and product specification as it relates to CFIA/USDA standards for fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Ability to communicate (verbally and written) effectively inter-departmentally and at various levels throughout the organization.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Self-motivated, self-starter, detail oriented, analytical and organized.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Available to work Monday to Friday (12pm - 8pm) and Saturdays (8am - 4pm).
- Inspect and evaluate all inbound product to ensure that it meets our specifications for quality (size, weight, brix, color, taste, decay etc.) and adhering to USDA government inspection standards. Control the pulp temperature of all inbound product.
- Reject product that does not meet established specifications.
- Communicates daily with various internal stakeholders such as Category Management, Product Technologist Team and the LPI Team to discuss quality issues, product rejections, and vendor relations.
- In collaboration with the VDM engage vendors on product quality expectations.
- Communicates daily with Supply Chain in regards to late inbound trucks, no shows or product replacement.
- All other ad-hoc duties as required.
