Job Description

Location: Charleston, South Carolina (On-Site)

Department: Product Management/Quality Control

Reports to: Vice President of Product Management

Position Type: Part-Time (20–25 hours/week)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Job Description: Quality Assurance Associate

We are looking for a Quality Assurance Associate to support the Product Management team. This person will play a critical role in ensuring that products received, stored, and shipped from our South Carolina warehouse meet Vanguard Safety's established quality standards, product specifications, and customer expectations.

This position is responsible for performing incoming, in-process, and outgoing quality inspections; identifying and documenting product nonconformances; maintaining accurate quality records; and supporting the continuous improvement of our Quality Management System (QMS).

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, hands-on, and comfortable working in a fast-paced warehouse environment. This individual will work closely with the Quality, Product Management, Warehouse Operations, and Supply Chain teams to maintain product integrity and drive quality excellence.

Responsibilities

• Receiving Inspection: Inspect finished goods upon warehouse receipt to ensure they meet established safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Product Testing: Perform routine and non-routine tests on products to verify quality, compliance, and performance.
• Defect Identification: Identify product defects, inconsistencies, damage, or deviations from approved quality standards, and report any discrepancies.
• Nonconforming Product: Document and properly segregate nonconforming products; communicate quality concerns to appropriate teams; and support investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and product disposition to ensure timely resolution and prevent recurrence.
• Recordkeeping: Maintain accurate and detailed records of inspection results, test outcomes, discrepancies, and corrective actions taken.
• Process Improvement: Assist in identifying areas for improvement to enhance product quality and minimize issues.
• Reporting: Assist in preparing reports related to quality metrics, issues, and customer complaints.
• Collaboration: Work closely with product, sourcing, and warehouse operations teams to address quality issues and ensure product quality standards are maintained. Help maintain QA processes from product receipt through shipment.
• Sample Requests: Assist with the preparation and fulfillment of product sample requests as needed, ensuring accurate product selection, quantities, labeling, and timely processing.
• Inventory Verification: Conduct ad-hoc inventory stock checks and product quality checks as requested to validate product condition, packaging integrity, and compliance with established quality standards.

Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1–2 years of experience in a Quality Control or Quality Assurance role.
• Experience working in a warehouse, distribution, or manufacturing environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate recordkeeping.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and inventory or quality management systems.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Preferred:

• Experience in the PPE, medical products, or related manufacturing industry.
• Familiarity with safety standards, regulations, and compliance requirements (e.g., OSHA, ISO, ASTM, ANSI/ISEA, FDA).
• Experience working within an ISO 9001 Quality Management System.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during a scheduled shift.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move products and cartons weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and use a step stool or ladder as needed.
• Work is performed in a warehouse environment that may not be climate-controlled and may involve exposure to noise, dust, and temperature changes.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

About Vanguard Safety (

Vanguard Safety is one of the fastest-growing PPE brands in the US. We have a distribution base of customers nationally that we serve from three primary DCs in Ohio, South Carolina, and California. Our product line is 500+ SKUs of head-to-toe disposable apparel and disposable and reusable gloves. We go to market in the JanSan/Foodservice, Industrial and Healthcare channels. Our team has an extensive track record in the industry going back over 30 years. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified organization, quality is at the core of everything we do.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Vanguard Safety is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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