Quality Control Specialist- Santa Maria, CA

Job Title:

Quality Control Specialist

Type:
Full-Time Seasonal Employment, Hourly, Non-Exempt |

Location:

Onsite, Santa Maria, CA

About Always Fresh Farms, Pacific:

At Always Fresh, everything starts with our growers. They’re the ones out in the fields on cold, rainy nights, making sure every sprinkler keeps running. They’re up before sunrise and home long after dark—working with heart, grit, and pride.

We began as a family business, built on trust and generations of hard work. That’s why we don’t just say we care about our growers—we show it every day. Any berry company can claim to care. Our growers will tell you we mean it.

Summary:

Reporting to the Operations Supervisor, this position is responsible for the activities related to organizing, assessing, and documenting fruit inspections per assigned facility for all inbound and/or outbound product.

• Coordinating and/or inspecting products using industry-appropriate methods, such as measuring product dimensions, brix percentage, softness, and appearance.
• Review product blueprints and specifications to compare to received or produced finished goods.
• Recording inspection outcomes by submitting reports, summarizing results via email communication, and informing Commodity Management on the best use of product after inspections.
• Proposing the implementation of best practices to the production process and monitoring the proper application of said procedures.
• Monitoring the condition and cleanliness of regularly used equipment.
• Keeping measurement equipment operating accurately by following calibration requirements and calling for repairs when needed.
• Collecting and compiling statistical quality data.
• Assisting in the development of test methods and inspection plans.
• Determining the causes of product defects and/or recording product damage when necessary.

• Must be passionate about produce; four to five years’ experience preferred.
• General understanding of Food Safety programs such as good practices related to GAP’s, GMP’s, HACCP, etc., preferred.
• Ability to use USDA and/or customer specifications to grade finished goods based on condition, quality, and visual characteristics.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Team player who possesses a sense of priority and works well alongside other departments.
• Well organized with an excellent attention to detail.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
• Knowledge or capacity to learn the Famous software for the viewing of product general information, upload of finished good grades, and/or make product unavailable.
• Excellent understanding of brix meters, calipers, and product softener testers.

• Required to stand for long periods of time.
• Must be able to lift 20lbs– 30lbs as needed.
• May engage in frequent bending, pulling, pushing, squatting to complete assigned tasks.
• Must be willing to work in a refrigerated warehouse environment (34 °F – 40 °F).