Job Description

The Outside Warehouse Liaison / QC serves as Family Tree Farms' on-site representative at a third-party warehouse, Better Cooling Coldstorage, providing quality control and operational support for fresh produce, primarily blueberries and blackberries.

This position acts as Family Tree Farms' eyes and ears at the warehouse by performing product inspections, observing activities involving FTF product, assisting with on-site verification, and communicating quality and operational concerns to the appropriate FTF team members. The employee will generally serve as FTF's primary on-site representative and must be comfortable working independently with remote support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform quality inspections of fresh produce using Family Tree Farms standards and inspection procedures.
• Evaluate product for quality, condition, size, appearance, temperature, packaging condition, and other applicable quality characteristics.
• Document inspections in the designated FTF QC application, including measurements, observations, photographs, and supporting information.
• Promptly communicate significant quality concerns and recommend additional review or action when appropriate.
• Monitor expected inbound transfers from Mexico, coordinate with warehouse receiving, and be present for key arrivals as needed.
• Perform inbound QC inspections and communicate delays, shortages, damage, temperature concerns, or quality issues to the appropriate FTF team members.
• Provide on-site QC oversight during approved repacking or reconditioning activities as assigned.
• Observe warehouse activities involving FTF product and communicate operational concerns, service issues, or deviations from expected processes.
• Proactively identify recurring quality or operational issues and communicate observations and potential improvements to the appropriate FTF team members.
• Assist remote FTF teams with physical verification of product, quantities, pallet locations, holds, condition, or other inventory questions as requested.
• Communicate with warehouse personnel regarding product movement, special handling, arrivals, and other operational needs.
• Provide additional oversight of outbound shipments or other warehouse activities when requested by Family Tree Farms.
• Maintain professional working relationships with warehouse personnel, FTF employees, carriers, inspectors, and other business partners.
• Perform other QC, warehouse liaison, operational support, reporting, data review, and related duties as assigned.
• Provide QC or operational support for other commodities, including mangoes, based on seasonal business needs.

Seasonal Position & Work Schedule

This is a seasonal position. This year, it is being extended; the season is expected to run from November through March. In a typical year, the season generally runs from July through November, depending on the annual harvest schedule and operational needs.

Work schedules will frequently be based around inbound transfer arrivals and may include afternoon, evening, weekend, extended, or variable hours. Start and end times may change based on product arrivals and operational needs. All hours worked must be accurately recorded in accordance with company policy.

During periods of lower activity at the primary warehouse location, the position may provide support to other Family Tree Farms regions, teams, and projects while continuing to work from the employee's assigned location. This support may include Quality Control (QC), operations, reporting, data review, and other assigned responsibilities.

Requirements

Family Tree Farms is looking for a dependable, proactive, and motivated individual with strong judgment, attention to detail, communication skills, and a willingness to learn. The quality of the individual is more important than a specific number of years of experience.

• Prior experience in fresh produce, quality control, warehouse operations, agriculture, receiving, packing, or a related environment is preferred but not required.
• Experience with blueberries, blackberries.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, inventory management software, or warehouse management systems (experience with Famous is a plus).
• Experience documenting product inspections, inventory movements, and warehouse activities using computer-based systems.
• Ability to work independently, recognize and communicate problems, accurately document findings, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to learn and consistently apply FTF quality standards and use mobile applications, email, and other company technology.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are preferred but not required.
• A college degree is not required.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

This position is performed primarily in active cold-storage, warehouse, receiving, and produce-handling environments. The employee may be exposed to refrigerated and outdoor temperatures, moisture, dust, produce particulate, forklifts, trucks, industrial equipment, and other conditions typical of produce warehouse operations.

The position may require extended periods of standing and walking; frequent bending, reaching, grasping, twisting, and repetitive hand movements; and lifting or moving product, samples, or equipment weighing approximately 30 pounds or more. The employee must be able to visually inspect fresh produce, packaging, labels, and identifying information and use computers, tablets, mobile devices, thermometers, scales, and other inspection equipment.