Quality Control Associate

Job Description

Summary and Objectives:

The Quality Associate is an entry-level position responsible for supporting basic quality control activities within a pallet manufacturing environment. This role assists QC Technicians and the QC Coordinator with routine inspection tasks, material handling, and documentation while learning the fundamentals of pallet inspection, defect identification, and standard quality procedures. The Quality Associate helps maintain consistent product quality and supports efficient production flow by following established checklists, reporting obvious quality concerns, and developing the skills needed to progress into a QC Technician role.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assist QC Technicians and Coordinators in performing basic inspections of raw materials, in-process pallets, and finished products

2. Learn and apply basic visual inspection techniques to identify obvious defects such as splits, warping, or damaged lumber

3. Assist with measuring pallet dimensions using tape measures and other basic tools under the guidance of QC staff

4. Sort, stack, and move materials and pallets to support inspection, staging, and rework processes

5. Tag or segregate visibly nonconforming materials and pallets as directed

6. Record basic inspection data and observations under the guidance of QC Technicians or the Coordinator

7. Maintain cleanliness and organization of inspection areas and workstations

8. Assist with rework tasks, including sorting, restacking, or minor repair of nonconforming pallets

9. Follow established inspection checklists and standard work instructions consistently

10. Report obvious quality concerns or unsafe conditions to a QC Technician, Coordinator, or Supervisor

11. Support basic data entry and recordkeeping for quality tracking and reporting

12. Assist with material handling and staging for inspection, rework, or shipment

13. Follow all safety procedures and properly use required personal protective equipment (PPE)

14. Participate in on-the-job training to develop inspection skills and quality knowledge

15. Perform other quality-related tasks as assigned by QC staff or the Supervisor

Minimum Required Qualifications:

§ High school diploma or GED preferred

§ No prior quality inspection experience required; this is an entry-level position

§ Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and established procedures

§ Basic math skills (counting and basic measurement)

§ Ability to work in a fast-paced, physically demanding manufacturing environment

§ Willingness to learn inspection tools, techniques, and quality standards

§ Strong attention to detail and reliability

Desired or Preferred Qualifications:

§ Prior experience in a manufacturing, warehouse, or other labor-intensive environment

§ Exposure to the pallet or wood products industry

§ Basic familiarity with hand tools such as tape measures and gauges

§ Interest in developing toward a QC Technician role

§ Basic data entry or recordkeeping experience

Core Competencies:

1. Humility (lacks ego, team agenda, transparent, trainable, servant orientation)

2. Hungry (extra mile, internally driven, self-starter, excellence, passionate, change agent)

3. People Smart (interpersonal, group dynamics, influential, self-aware, motivating)

4. Competent (knows and can accomplish the task at hand – job, challenges, requirements)

5. Integrity (honest, reliable, transparent, strong character, loyal, righteous)

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Demands:

The Quality Associate role requires continuous physical activity, including standing, walking, bending, and lifting throughout the shift. The position involves frequent handling of lumber and pallets, with lifting requirements…