Entry Level Quality Inspector

Central Garden & Pet; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401k with company match

Paid vacation

Employee Assistance Program

Education Assistance

Referral Program

Paid parental leave

On-demand pay

Job summary

Central Garden & Pet is seeking a Quality Assurance/Labeling Support role at our facility in Fort Wayne, IN. The position focuses on ensuring end-to-end production quality—from first article inspections to finished packed pieces—and requires meticulous record-keeping and accurate flow of labels, tags, and POP materials.

Candidate should have strong math and communication skills, be comfortable using databases (PLM, SAP), and be willing to be trained for forklift operation.

Qualifications

• Must be proficient in basic math: counting and simple equations.
• Strong verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is helpful.
• Comfortable looking up information in various databases (training provided).
• Must be flexible.
• Attention to detail is essential.
• Self-starter with a can-do attitude.
• Must be able to bend, twist, stoop, stand and walk for long periods and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Prior quality experience preferred; forklift experience preferred with willingness to be trained.

Responsibilities

• Ensure quality of end to end production; first article inspection to finished packed pieces.
• Track and record each step of the quality process manually.
• Manage the flow of labels, tags, POP to and from the line; double checking accuracy with each transition.
• Maintain organized QC lab space and coordinate storage of labels/tags/POP with Label Room Clerk.
• Support production and inventory teams as requested.

Skills

Basic math

Communication skills

Bilingual English/Spanish (helpful)

Database lookup (training provided)

Flexibility

Attention to detail

Self-starter

Lift up to 50 lbs

Tools

PLM

SAP

Job description

Ensure quality of end to end production; first article inspection to finished packed pieces.

Track and record each step of the quality process manually

Manages the flow of labels, tags, POP to and from the line; double checking accuracy with each transition.

Maintains organization and tidiness of QC lab space and all items within; coordinates storage of labels, tags, POP with Label Room Clerk.

Supports production and inventory teams as requested

Required Skills:

• Must be proficient in basic math; counting and basic math equations like adding, subtracting, multiplication and division.

Strong verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills; interaction with a variety of skill and experience levels within the organization . Bilingual English / Spanish is helpful.

Comfortable looking up information in various data bases (training provided) .

Must be Flexible.

Attention to detail is a must .

Self-starter with a can-do attitude preferred!

Must be able to bend, twist, stoop, stand and walk for at least 3 hours at a stretch, over a 10-hour shift, with 10-minute breaks.

Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Prior quality experience preferred.

Prior forklift operator experience preferred, m ust be willing to be trained and certified to operate a forklift .

Training Provided:

• Use of systems and data bases such as; PLM, SAP
• Safety training
• Job specific training

As a member of our team we encourage promotion from within and cross training. As part of the inventory support team you would be working with Production Teams, Warehouse Teams and the Plant Leadership teams regularly. Future growth paths could include; Warehouse support, shipping clerk, or production support.

Description

Primary Responsibilities:

• Ensure quality of end to end production; first article inspection to finished packed pieces.
• Track and record each step of the quality process manually
• Manages the flow of labels, tags, POP to and from the line; double checking accuracy with each transition.
• Maintains organization and tidiness of QC lab space and all items within; coordinates storage of labels, tags, POP with Label Room Clerk.
• Supports production and inventory teams as requested

Required Skills:

• Must be proficient in basic math; counting and basic math equations like adding, subtracting, multiplication and division.
• Strong verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills; interaction with a variety of skill and experience levels within the organization . Bilingual English / Spanish is helpful.
• Comfortable looking up information in various data bases (training provided) .
• Must be Flexible.
• Attention to detail is a must .
• Self-starter with a can-do attitude preferred!
• Must be able to bend, twist, stoop, stand and walk for at least 3 hours at a stretch, over a 10-hour shift, with 10-minute breaks.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Prior quality experience preferred.
• Prior forklift operator experience preferred, m ust be willing to be trained and certified to operate a forklift .

Training Provided:

• Use of systems and data bases such as; PLM, SAP
• Safety training
• Job specific training

Growth Opportunities Available:

As a member of our team we encourage promotion from within and cross training. As part of the inventory support team you would be working with Production Teams, Warehouse Teams and the Plant Leadership teams regularly. Future growth paths could include; Warehouse support, shipping clerk, or production support.

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Free Life and Disability Insurance
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution
• Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to thousands of free online courses
• Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)
• Referral Program with cash bonus
• Access to on-demand pay
• Paid parental leave

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Best Bully Sticks®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Kaytee®, Nylabone®, Pennington®, Sevin® and Zoёcon®. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central has strong manufacturing and logistics capabilities supported by a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. The Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.