Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Fruit Sorter

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about quality and have a keen eye for detail? We are searching for a dedicated and meticulous Fruit Sorter to join our fast-paced production team. In this vital role, you will be the guardian of our product quality, ensuring that only the best fruit makes its way to our customers. You will be responsible for inspecting, grading, and sorting fresh produce based on a variety of quality attributes including size, color, ripeness, and the absence of defects. This position is fundamental to upholding our brand's reputation for excellence and requires a commitment to food safety and operational efficiency. If you thrive in a hands-on, team-oriented environment and take pride in your work, we want to hear from you!

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Laborer or Warehouse Associate
Farm Hand or Agricultural Worker
No previous experience required; on-the-job training provided

Advancement To:

Quality Control (QC) Inspector or Technician
Packing Line Lead or Production Supervisor
Warehouse Team Lead

Lateral Moves:

Produce Inspector
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Inventory Control Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Meticulously inspect and sort fresh fruit according to strict quality, size, color, and ripeness standards to meet and exceed customer specifications.
Skillfully identify and remove any produce with defects, such as blemishes, bruises, mold, or signs of pest damage, to ensure premium product quality.
Operate and monitor automated sorting and packing machinery, making minor adjustments as needed to maintain optimal performance and efficiency.
Carefully pack sorted fruit into designated containers, boxes, or bins, ensuring correct counts and gentle handling to prevent damage.
Accurately weigh and label packages and pallets with essential information, including product grade, weight, and packing date, for traceability.
Consistently meet or surpass daily and weekly production targets for sorting speed and accuracy without compromising quality standards.
Uphold all company and federal food safety protocols, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and HACCP guidelines, to ensure a safe food supply.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work station and surrounding area, adhering to all sanitation procedures and safety regulations.
Effectively communicate any significant quality issues, equipment malfunctions, or production delays to the Line Lead or Production Supervisor in a timely manner.
Work collaboratively with a diverse team of packers, operators, and quality personnel to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow from start to finish.
Perform visual quality checks on raw, in-process, and finished products to ensure they conform to established company standards.
Stand for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks, including lifting, bending, and reaching, in a physically demanding environment.
Safely lift and move containers of produce, weighing up to 50 pounds, on a consistent basis throughout the shift.
Adapt to working in a temperature-controlled environment, which may include refrigerated or cool conditions, to maintain product freshness.
Accurately complete production logs and quality control documentation to support data tracking and inventory management.
Assist in the rotation of product inventory (FIFO - First-In, First-Out) to minimize waste and ensure optimal freshness.
Prepare and stage finished pallets of fruit for shipment, ensuring they are securely wrapped and correctly labeled.
Participate in regular team meetings to discuss safety, quality, and productivity goals and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
Conduct routine cleaning and basic preventative maintenance on sorting equipment and tools to ensure they remain in good working order.
Follow detailed verbal and written instructions from supervisors to complete assigned tasks efficiently and correctly.
Support other areas of the packing house or warehouse as needed, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to be a team player.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and assist with periodic physical inventory counts.
Contribute to the organization's continuous improvement culture by suggesting process enhancements.
Collaborate with maintenance and sanitation teams to address equipment and facility needs.
Participate in sprint planning, safety drills, and agile ceremonies within the production team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Produce Grading: Ability to quickly and accurately assess produce based on established standards for size, color, shape, and defects.
Manual Dexterity: Excellent hand-eye coordination and the ability to handle delicate fruit quickly without causing damage.
Physical Stamina: The capacity to stand, walk, bend, and lift for an entire shift in a fast-paced environment.
Lifting Ability: Proven ability to repeatedly lift and carry boxes or crates weighing between 25 and 50 lbs.
Basic Math Skills: Competency in basic arithmetic for counting, weighing, and recording production data accurately.
Food Safety Knowledge: Understanding of basic food safety and hygiene principles (e.g., GMP, HACCP); specific training is a plus.
Equipment Operation: Experience with or ability to learn how to operate sorting lines, conveyor belts, and pallet jacks.
Attention to Detail: A sharp eye for identifying subtle imperfections and inconsistencies in produce.
Technical Aptitude: Ability to monitor machinery and recognize when it is not operating correctly.
Data Entry: Basic ability to record information accurately on paper logs or within a simple digital interface.

Soft Skills

Reliability & Punctuality: A strong work ethic with a consistent record of being on time and ready to work.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to work effectively and respectfully with a diverse group of colleagues to achieve common goals.
Communication: The capacity to listen to instructions and clearly communicate issues or questions to supervisors.
Adaptability: Flexibility to work in varying temperatures and adapt to changing production priorities.
Time Management: Skill in working efficiently to meet production deadlines without sacrificing quality.
Problem-Solving: The initiative to identify issues and ask for assistance when needed.
Focus & Concentration: Ability to maintain concentration while performing repetitive tasks over long periods.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent is often preferred, but not strictly required. A willingness to learn and a strong work ethic are most important.

Preferred Education:

Certificate in Food Handling, Workplace Safety, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Agriculture
Food Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-2 years of experience. We welcome entry-level candidates and provide comprehensive on-the-job training.

Preferred:

6+ months of experience in a similar role within a food production, packing, warehouse, or agricultural environment is highly desirable.
Prior experience working with fresh produce is a significant asset.