Quality Control Technician

Central Garden & Pet; New Jersey; On-site; USD 26,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k with company match

Paid time off

Life and disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Education assistance

Parental leave

Job summary

Central Garden & Pet is seeking a Quality Control Technician - Manufacturing in New Jersey to ensure products are packaged correctly and meet quality standards before shipping. You will lead inspections, document results, and collaborate with production to correct deviations.

The role emphasizes safety, adherence to standards, and continuous improvement across the manufacturing line. Prior food manufacturing experience and a strong math/technical skillset are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent qualification.
• Certification in quality control is preferred.
• Must have food manufacturing experience.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office.
• Good math, technical, and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of quality control standards and testing techniques.

Responsibilities

• Perform thorough inspections of raw materials, components, and finished products to check for defects, non-conformities, and deviations from quality standards.
• Work closely with production teams to ensure manufacturing processes comply with quality standards and are carried out correctly.
• Inspect finished goods to ensure quality and adherence to specifications.
• Maintain up-to-date records of inspections, testing results, and deviations.
• Reject all products and materials that fail to meet quality expectations.
• Collect samples from production batches to verify standards.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements to enhance efficiency and product quality.
• Ensure inspection and testing equipment are regularly calibrated for accuracy.
• Investigate root causes of quality issues and propose corrective actions.
• Conduct internal audits of manufacturing processes to ensure compliance.
• Communicate effectively with production, QA teams, and management on quality goals.

Skills

Math skills

Communication skills

Technical skills

Quality control knowledge

Education

High school diploma

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Description

The Quality Control Technician will play a critical role in ensuring products are packaged correctly and meet quality standards before they are shipped to customers. The primary objective of the Quality Control Technician - Manufacturing is to identify and rectify defects or deviations from established quality criteria to maintain high product quality.

This position runs Monday - Friday, with the following shifts:

2nd Shift: 2:00 PM - 10:30 PM

3rd Shift: 10:00 PM - 6:30 AM

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform thorough inspections of raw materials, components, and finished products to check for defects, non-conformities, and deviations from quality standards.
• Work closely with production teams to ensure that manufacturing processes are in compliance with quality standards and are carried out correctly.
• Inspect finished produced goods to ensure their quality and adherence are up to specifications.
• Keep detailed records of inspections, testing results, and any deviations from the quality standards up-to-date and maintained.
• Reject all products and materials that fail to meet quality expectations.
• Collect and take samples of production batch to ensure products are meeting standards.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and suggestions on changes to enhance efficiency and product quality.
• Ensure that inspection and testing equipment are regularly calibrated to maintain accuracy and reliability.
• Investigate the root causes of quality issues, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and recommend corrective and preventive actions to prevent future occurrences.
• Conduct internal audits of manufacturing processes and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance with quality standards and regulations.
• Maintain open and effective communication with production staff, quality assurance teams, and management to ensure everyone is aligned on quality goals and expectations.
• Prioritize safety in the manufacturing environment, ensuring that quality control activities are carried out safely and in accordance with safety protocols.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent qualification.
• Certification in quality control is preferred.
• Must have food manufacturing experience.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office.
• Good math, technical, and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of quality control standards and testing techniques.

POSITION INFORMATION

• This position pays $19.00 - $24.00 per hour depending on experience

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 sta