Quality Control Sales Liaison

Esparza Enterprises Inc. is looking for a candidate for one of our customers.

OBJECTIVE:

Our objective is to ensure that fruit packed under our customer’s label always meets the highest quality standards, no matter where it is grown or packed.

REPORTING STRUCTURE:

Reports to: Director of Business Development & Operations

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the Sales team regarding all Quality Assurance activities and act as the primary field QA liaison for domestic and imported fruit.
• Coordinate daily with the Sales Department on expectations and quality issues.
• Ensure that grading, packing, and fruit condition align with quality objectives and sales and marketing needs by clearly communicating these needs to the Farming QA team for execution.
• Oversee product lotting based on quality reports from QC personnel and actively manage fruit movement in the field, pack house, and cold storage. Control quality for export orders and field-packed exports.
• Communicate with and present fruit to inspectors and field representatives.
• Provide quality support for third-party growers, addressing any deviations from specifications or harvesting issues.
• Assist the Product Manager and Sales Team in procurement by assessing fields and ensuring product meets quality standards.
• Create dispositions for non-compliant products and ensure proper removal or release per quality standards.
• Compile trouble reports and reference internal QC reports to communicate issues to relevant parties.
• Generate and report on QC findings, including:
• Daily QC reports per variety, highlighting immediate concerns.
• Monthly QC reports summarizing quality control activities and issues addressed.
• Seasonal QC reports detailing customer, variety, and region-specific insights.
• Assist in the development and implementation of an international QC database and standardized mobile application integrated with company systems.
• Contribute to the creation of uniform QA standards per variety and region in alignment with sales and marketing objectives.
• Communicate updated QA standards to all growers internationally at the start of each season.
• Help develop standardized QC methodologies for in-field and pack house operations, ensuring practical and effective protocols.
• Support operations and logistics by providing quality control assistance and resolving domestic or international issues.
• Oversee the quality control process for all imported fruit, ensuring accurate inspections and reporting with USDA, cold storage facilities, and growing partners.
• Participate in QC team meetings and workshops.
• Assist in training new QC team members.

Given the company’s rapid growth, working conditions will continue to evolve. Candidates should be adaptable and willing to take on additional tasks as assigned by their supervisors.

This position requires both domestic and international travel.

COMPETENCIES:

• Advanced product knowledge
• Expertise in pre- and post-harvest technologies
• Understanding of different production regions and harvesting systems
• Knowledge of global product handling protocols
• Strong market knowledge (clients, destinations, and demands)
• Excellent communication skills (speaking & writing)
• Strong interpersonal skills (local & international)
• Proficiency in computer applications
• Effective time management skills
• Fluency in English and Spanish (written & spoken)
• Assertiveness and problem-solving abilities

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.00 - $19.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Professional development assistance
• Travel reimbursement

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift

Experience:

• Quality control: 2 years (Required)
• Computer skills: 2 years (Required)
• Agriculture: 1 year (Preferred)
• Customer service: 2 years (Preferred)
• Communication skills: 2 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Shafter, CA 93263 (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17 - $19