Quality Specialist

Central Garden & Pet; Franklin (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, andamp;

Vision Insurance

Free Life and Disability Insurance

401k with company match

Paid vacation, holidays and sick time

Employee Assistance Program

Education Assistance

Referral Program

Job summary

Central Garden & Pet Company is seeking a Quality Specialist in Franklin, WI to ensure manufacturing operations meet company standards and regulatory requirements. You will conduct inspections, audits, investigations, and drive continuous improvement across the Quality Management System.

Responsibilities include reviewing records, supporting customer complaint actions, training staff, and maintaining QA documentation. Strong Lean knowledge and FDA/GMP familiarity preferred.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or higher preferred in a relevant field.
• Three years’ related experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to follow documented procedures and standards.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine inspections of raw materials, in-process production, finished goods, durable items, and packaging materials.
• Perform finished goods audits to verify product quality, packaging accuracy, labeling, and compliance with customer and company specifications.
• Perform audits and inspections of durable items, equipment, and reusable assets to ensure compliance with quality, condition, and operational standards.
• Review production records, quality documentation, and monitor logs for accuracy and completeness.
• Assist with customer complaint investigations and corrective action activities.
• Assist in maintaining and improving the campus Quality Management System.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation such as standard operating procedures, work instructions, forms, and quality assurance documentation.
• Work effectively and communicate with team members in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Investigate root causes of product defects and quality issues and assist in developing corrective and preventive actions to reduce recurrence.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Warehouse, Marketing, and R&D teammates on quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist in training employees in quality standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Perform internal audits of manufacturing operations, warehousing, quality systems, finished goods, and durable items.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through data collection, analysis, and process improvement activities.
• All other duties as assigned by supervisor or as business needs require.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Multi-tasking

Lean principles

Education

Associate degree or higher

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

The Quality Specialist is responsible for ensuring that manufacturing operations and products comply with company standards, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory requirements. This role supports the campus Quality Management System and conducts inspections, audits, investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure products meet established quality standards and customer expectations.

Shift Details: Monday – Thursday 10-hour shifts

Location: Franklin, WI

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct routine inspections of raw materials, in-process production, finished goods, durable items, and packaging materials.
• Perform finished goods audits to verify product quality, packaging accuracy, labeling, and compliance with customer and company specifications.
• Perform audits and inspections of durable items, equipment, and reusable assets to ensure compliance with quality, condition, and operational standards.
• Review production records, quality documentation, and monitor logs for accuracy and completeness.
• Assist with customer complaint investigations and corrective action activities.
• Assist in maintaining and improving the campus Quality Management System.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation such as standard operating procedures, work instructions, forms, and quality assurance documentation.
• Work effectively and communicate with team members in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Investigate root causes of product defects and quality issues and assist in developing corrective and preventive actions to reduce recurrence.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Warehouse, Marketing, and R&D teammates on quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist in training employees in quality standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Perform internal audits of manufacturing operations, warehousing, quality systems, finished goods, and durable items.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through data collection, analysis, and process improvement activities.
• All other duties as assigned by supervisor or as business needs require.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s degree or higher preferred and/or specialized training in a relevant field.
• Three years’ relatedexperience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Power Point, and Excel.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrates accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow documented procedures and standards.
• Excellent time-management skills with the ability to work independently with limited supervision as well as be part of a mission directed team.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, work additional hours based on business needs.
• Understands and has experience working with Lean (LDM) principles.
• Knowledge of FDA, FSMA, GMP and food safety regulations.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to lift to 50 pounds with or without accommodation.
• Plant environment with periodic visits to the office area of the plant.
• Ability to work in production environments that are noisy and/or dusty at times.

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

Description

Introduction

The Quality Specialist is responsible for ensuring that manufacturing operations and products comply with company standards, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory requirements. This role supports the campus Quality Management System and conducts inspections, audits, investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure products meet established quality standards and customer expectations.

Shift Details: Monday – Thursday 10-hour shifts

Location: Franklin, WI

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct routine inspections of raw materials, in-process production, finished goods, durable items, and packaging materials.
• Perform finished goods audits to verify product quality, packaging accuracy, labeling, and compliance with customer and company specifications.
• Perform audits and inspections of durable items, equipment, and reusable assets to ensure compliance with quality, condition, and operational standards.
• Review production records, quality documentation, and monitor logs for accuracy and completeness.
• Assist with customer complaint investigations and corrective action activities.
• Assist in maintaining and improving the campus Quality Management System.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation such as standard operating procedures, work instructions, forms, and quality assurance documentation.
• Work effectively and communicate with team members in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Investigate root causes of product defects and quality issues and assist in developing corrective and preventive actions to reduce recurrence.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Warehouse, Marketing, and R&D teammates on quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist in training employees in quality standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Perform internal audits of manufacturing operations, warehousing, quality systems, finished goods, and durable items.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through data collection, analysis, and process improvement activities.
• All other duties as assigned by supervisor or as business needs require.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s degree or higher preferred and/or specialized training in a relevant field.
• Three years’ relatedexperience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Power Point, and Excel.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrates accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow documented procedures and standards.
• Excellent time-management skills with the ability to work independently with limited supervision as well as be part of a mission directed team.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, work additional hours based on business needs.
• Understands and has experience working with Lean (LDM) principles.
• Knowledge of FDA, FSMA, GMP and food safety regulations.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to lift to 50 pounds with or without accommodation.
• Plant environment with periodic visits to the office area of the plant.
• Ability to work in production environments that are noisy and/or dusty at times.

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.