Quality Assurance Associate

Quality Assurance Associate

KeHE-a natural, organic, specialty and fresh food distributor-is all about "good" and is growing, so there's never been a more exciting time to join our team. If you're enthusiastic about working in an environment with a people-first culture and an organization committed to good living, good food and good service, we'd love to talk to you!

Primary Responsibilities

The Quality Assurance Associate supports warehouse operations by validating order accuracy, pallet integrity, and food safety compliance before product reaches the customer. The role inspects trailers, locations, pallets, cases, and totes to ensure correct brands, varieties, counts, and proper pallet construction. When errors are identified, the associate works directly with leadership to correct issues and rebuild pallets as needed. This position plays a key role in protecting the customer experience, maintaining inventory integrity, and supporting root-cause analysis to reduce future errors. As with all positions at KeHE Distributors, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE's Mission, Vision, and Values.

Essential Functions

DUTIES, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Validate outbound and inbound warehouse production by inspecting trailers, locations, pallets, cases, and split-case totes to ensure correct brand, variety, quantity, and overall order accuracy.
• Perform quality control checks on pallet construction , identifying mispicks, misplaced cases, and structural issues that could impact product integrity or customer experience.
• Correct identified errors in real time by working directly with selectors to rebuild pallets and resolve discrepancies.
• Ensure food safety and quality standards are met while documenting issues and supporting root-cause analysis to prevent repeat errors

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of WMS systems, inventory accuracy validation, pallet construction standards, food safety requirements, and basic LEAN concepts; proficient with MS Office and standard web-based tools
• Strong attention to detail, disciplined execution, schedule accountability, and the ability to communicate clearly while working independently with minimal supervision.
• Driven by pride in accuracy, protecting the customer experience, maintaining food safety, and resolving issues at the source rather than passing defects forward
• Analytical problem-solving skills, physical capability to safely restack pallets and operate PIT equipment, adaptability to changing processes, and the ability to support root-cause analysis through observation and documentation

Minimum Requirements, Qualifications, Additional Skills, Aptitude

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required; additional training in quality, food safety, or warehouse operations is a plus.
• Experience: Minimum of one (1) year working with a Warehouse Management System (WMS), with preferred experience in food distribution, quality assurance, inventory control, or clerking roles.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Physical Activity: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, climb as required, and work safely in a fast-paced warehouse environment.
• Lifting & Handling: Must be able to safely carry, lift, push, and/or move product weighing up to 50 pounds, including rebuilding and restacking pallets.
• Equipment & Environment: Ability to safely operate powered industrial trucks (PIT) and work in temperature-controlled environments ranging from -10F to ambient, with exposure to varying indoor and outdoor conditions.

KeHE Distributors provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or faith, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training as well as the administration of all Human Resources and Talent Acquisition processes.