Sobeys Inc. is a proud Canadian company with 108 years in the food business. Sobeys Inc. serves the food shopping needs of Canadians with approximately 1,500 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, and Lawton’s Drug Stores, as well as more than 350 retail fuel locations.
Together, with our 125,000 employees and franchise affiliates, and a collective passion for delivering exceptional food and shopping experiences, Sobeys’ purpose is to improve the lives of Canadians by helping them Eat Better, Feel Better and Do Better.
Join our company as a Vendor Relationship Specialist in Yuma, AZ. In this position, you will inspect produce at vendor facilities to ensure compliance with Sobeys specifications; provide guidance to Sourcing and Category Management teams for securing the highest quality available; work with vendors to develop an atmosphere of continuous improvement and innovation; and provide written reports and pictures to document product quality and vendor performance.
•Ability to determine colors
•Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, strong computer skills
•Strong relationship building and management skills with vendors, suppliers and internal customers
•Proficient in the use of appropriate QC equipment
•Ability to communicate in a concise, accurate, timely and professional manner both verbally and written
•Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environment and workloads
•Ability to travel to various growing regions, as required
•Familiar with USDA and/or CFIA requirements
•General understanding of Food Safety Requirements
•Valid driver’s license
•Inspect produce for compliance with Sobeys specifications
•Provide recommendations to Sourcing to replace any rejected product with other lots or vendors
•Search out new and innovative products and packaging
•Represent Sobeys in vendor meetings to discuss quality and current/future growing forecasts
•Make recommendations to vendors to improve quality, tracks Action Plans
•Periodically review vendor scorecards and identify poor and superior performers
•Evaluates vendor facilities for compliance with Sobeys Food Safety Requirements
•Recommend specification changes based on current crop conditions
•3-5 years of experience as USDA/CFIA Inspector, private produce inspection company, produce shipper or retail produce experience. Experience can be substituted for education
•Advanced degree in Agriculture related field (preferred)
Sobeys is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process and will work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of this process.
