Quality Assurance Manager - Distribution Center

Under general supervision from the Director of Quality Assurance, the Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for the supervision of the produce quality control program, quality assurance team and the ripening team at the distribution center. This position directs all quality assurance and ripening activities at the DC, including inbound inspection, warehouse inspections, ripening program to include ripening rooms, WMS data entry, product audits and vendor performance management program contribution. The Quality Assurance Manager ensures staff follow established protocols and process, use of tools and reports, and proper and effective inspection best practices. The Quality Assurance Manager is also responsible for reinforcing established cultural expectations of continuous learning and improvement to create and maintain high team performance and morale.

Essential Job Functions

• Responsible for ensuring that Sprouts receives the quality of product expected through established protocol and guaranteeing processes are followed for inbound and existing inventory inspections
• Manages the quality control team and ripening team at the distribution center by ensuring that staff are fully trained and established best practices are being followed and communication is comprehensive and effective
• Comprehensive and effective communication through all cross functional areas is essential
• Leads problem communication associated with inbound arrivals and excessive and aging inventory communication
• Ensures that the ripening process for bananas and avocadoes is established with the goal of producing best in class ripened fruit.
• Oversees the reporting of rejections by vendor and commodity to all appropriate departments
• Works with the Category Management, Replenishment and vendor quality control to establish expectations and solicit feedback on processes and protocols
• Responsible for contributing to store shrink control by minimizing poor product quality arrivals
• Ensure cold chain controls are met
• Collaborate with the food safety department on recall execution, HACCP program, CCOF Organic program, USDA and FDA regulations and guidelines at the distribution centers
• Provides real-time feedback to warehouse operations leadership regarding problems that may impact distribution center safety, cleanliness and organization
• Establish clear communication and effective working relationship with store leadership
• Work with the Sprouts Talent Acquisition team on all hiring needs, onboarding and training of new hires.
• Supports Quality Assurance team members through regularly schedules 1:1’s. Individual development plans and coaching and training.
• Other duties as assigned

Best Practices:

• Provide clear and concise communication (email, telephone, in-person) to all teammates and parties related to the quality of product received
• Lead a team that will audit inbound pallets for proper temperatures, damage; all crushed, smashed and creased cases are to be refused
• Establish, update and execute key SOPs, protocols, and instructions by product category
• Share best practices amongst DCs. Be part of a leadership team that shares best in class practices across the DC network
• Utilize, maintain, and protect Sprouts assets including ripening rooms, QC materials (carts, laptops, tablets, room cleanings and maintenance checks, etc.)
• Utilize inspection cart with scale, pulp thermometer and WMS workstation on the dock while receiving is in progress; use calipers, ring sizers, etc. as needed to capture any noteworthy issues

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in produce quality control, or an acceptable combination of education and experience
• Ability to successfully manage concurrent projects and meet deadlines.
• Ability to supervise personnel effectively.
• Ability to preserve confidentiality of information.
• Strong sense of urgency with the ability to prioritize.
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, & Outlook).
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service

In addition to a rewarding career, Sprouts offers a comprehensive program to help support you and your family. These programs include:

• Competitive pay
• Sick time plan that you can use to support you or your immediate families health
• Vacation accrual plan
• Opportunities for career growth
• 15% discount for you and one other family member in your household on all purchases made at Sprouts
• Flexible schedules
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(K) Retirement savings plan with a generous company match
• Company paid life insurance
• Contests and appreciation events throughout the year full of prizes, food and fun!

Eligibility requirements may apply for the following benefits:

• Bonus based on company and/or individual performance
• Affordable benefit coverage, including medical, dental and vision
• Health Savings Account with company match
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• Company paid short-term disability coverage
• Paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers
• Paid holidays

Get Paid Every Day!

Sprouts Farmers Market offers DailyPay - if you’re hired as an eligible employee, you’ll be able to transfer the money you’ve already earned at no extra cost, and get it the next business day, for free.  We offer DailyPay so you don’t have to wait for payday to access the money you’ve already worked for. With DailyPay, you can see how much you’ve made every day and you can transfer your money any time before payday.

 You can learn more by visiting https://www.dailypay.com/partners/sprouts-farmers-market/.

Grow with us!

If you have a passion for inspiring people and a flair for fresh food, consider applying for a job at Sprouts! With a focus on customer service, our neighborhood grocery stores offer high-quality, farm fresh produce, natural meats, plenty of scoop-your-own bulk goods and much more in a fun, friendly, old-fashioned farmer’s market setting.  Come grow your career in healthy living with a fast-paced, rapidly growing company and teams that pride themselves on empowering others along their journey.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Sprouts’ management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

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