Row 7 is an organic food company built to reimagine food from seed to table.  Working in collaboration with chefs, farmers, and plant breeders, our mission is to introduce new plant varieties that bring unique culinary, nutritional, and ecological value to consumers.  Through our online marketplace, Row 7 sells seeds that are 100% organic and unpatented.  Since its inception 4 years ago, Row 7 has collaborated with stakeholders across the food chain in order to make delicious ingredients—and the stories behind them—more accessible to all. Row 7 is looking for individuals in the produce field with expertise in sustainable produce supply chains for a growing arm of our business. 

Row 7 is looking for motivated individuals to join our supply chain team to ensure the highest quality products are delivered to our customers. The Row 7 Produce Inspector will represent Row 7 with the highest level of integrity and respect to growers and other supply chain stakeholders.  This crucial role will monitor produce quality on farm, providing continual improvement to Row 7 team members.  The ideal candidate will have the ability to communicate and advise our team in making decisions regarding the quality of our produce.  

Location:

• The role will support the production and distribution of Row 7 produce in Western New York and Finger Lakes Region
• The inspector should expect limited travel to support other Northeast regional inspectors in Eastern New York/Vermont, Western Massachusetts, and Southeastern Pennsylvania/Southern New Jersey

Responsibilities include:

• Perform site visits within our grower network 
• Work proactively with growers to ensure finished product meets Row 7 specifications, including post-harvest inspections during the pack and ship process
• Complete reports, monitor, and track all quality issues
• Collect qualitative and quantitative data points at pre-commercial trial plantings throughout the growing season
• Maintain accurate and organized reports to be inputted into Row 7 database
• Identify and communicate any potential timeline or quality risks and serve as a thought partner for any creative solutions that are needed
• Collaborate with Row 7 operations team to develop an action plan for non-compliant product
• Assist in determining the root cause of any quality issues
• Provide input on produce specifications based on customer and grower feedback throughout the growing process
• Aid in documentation collection for food safety compliance
• Provide on-the-ground support to other regional Produce Inspectors when needed

Required education and experience 

• Experience working with commercial produce supply chain; experience within the retail produce industry a plus
• Understand produce quality measures, preferably experience with row crops
• Knowledge of general shipping and receiving practices
• Ability to use MS Office/G-Suite software for data entry and tracking

The ideal candidate is

• Eager to learn, build, and grow with an expanding organization
• Experienced with Northeast produce growers and vendors
• Knowledge of regional growing practices and seasonal conditions
• Organized and accountable, able to meet deadlines 
• A skilled verbal and written communicator
• Confidently able to make independent snap decisions
• Strong at problem-solving and critical thinking
• Able to travel regularly, especially in and around the Northeast 

Details

• Role Classification:  Seasonal, Part-time
• Estimated State Date: July 15, 2023
• Estimated End Date: December 15, 2023
• Estimated Work Week: up to 30 hour
• Pay Rate: $25 - $30 per hour based on experience

Row 7 is committed to centering equity and justice in our work and community. We encourage LGBTQIA+ , BIPOC candidates and members of other historically marginalized groups to apply.