Our client , a leading Canadian produce supply chain and distribution company is seeking an experienced Produce Quality Assurance Coordinator to join their growing quality team
This hands-on role is responsible for inspecting fresh fruits and vegetables throughout receiving, storage, regrading, and shipping to ensure products consistently meet company, customer, and regulatory quality standards.
Working closely with Purchasing, Warehouse Operations, Receiving, Shipping, and Regrade teams, you will play an important role in protecting product quality, reducing waste, maintaining food safety, and ensuring our customers receive the highest quality produce.
This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced warehouse environment and has a passion for fresh produce quality.
What You'll Do
- Inspect incoming and outgoing fresh produce to verify compliance with company, customer, and regulatory quality standards.
- Evaluate produce for size, colour, maturity, firmness, weight, temperature, Brix, pressure, defects, and overall condition.
- Perform visual, tactile, and sensory inspections using established quality standards.
- Utilize quality inspection equipment including scales, calipers, penetrometers, pulp thermometers, and Brix refractometers.
- Monitor storage temperatures and cold chain integrity to minimize shrink and spoilage.
- Complete inspection reports and maintain accurate quality records, traceability information, and lot documentation.
- Identify non-conforming product and coordinate regrading, segregation, rejection, or disposition activities.
- Investigate quality concerns and support root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Work closely with Buyers, Warehouse Operations, Receiving, Shipping, and Regrade teams to maintain product quality throughout the supply chain.
- Monitor sanitation, food safety, and pest control concerns and escalate issues when required.
- Support HACCP, GMP, CFIA, customer audits, and internal food safety programs.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, waste reduction, and operational excellence.
What We're Looking For
- Minimum 2 years of experience in fresh produce quality, food quality assurance, produce inspection, or food manufacturing.
- Experience inspecting fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Knowledge of produce grading standards and quality attributes.
- Understanding of food safety programs including HACCP and GMP.
- Experience with lot traceability and quality documentation.
- Ability to identify quality defects and make sound decisions regarding product acceptance or rejection.
- Strong attention to detail and excellent observational skills.
- Comfortable working in a refrigerated warehouse environment.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Preferred Qualifications (nice to have)
- HACCP certification.
- Knowledge of CFIA regulations.
- Post-secondary education in Food Science, Agriculture, Horticulture, or a related discipline is considered an asset.
- Experience using digital quality management or inspection systems.
Pay: $55,000.00-$60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- RRSP match
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Experience:
- Fresh Produce Quality Inspection: 2 years (required)
- HACCP & Food Safety: 2 years (preferred)
- Produce Grading & Quality Standards: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
