Quality Control Lead

Johnson Nursery Corporation•Watha, NC

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Control Lead leads daily quality control operations and serves as the primary coordinator for Code Red events and other critical operational issues. The role ensures outbound shipments meet company and customer standards for quality, accuracy, and compliance, and coordinates rapid responses to disruptions affecting production, shipping, or customer service. The position provides leadership to the Quality Control team by assigning work, monitoring performance, training employees, resolving quality issues, and driving continuous improvement. During operational emergencies, the Lead is the central point of communication and coordinates cross-functional teams to minimize downtime and restore normal operations. Work is performed entirely outdoors in a fast-paced nursery environment. The role requires regular interaction with shipping personnel, production teams, inventory control, maintenance, and leadership, as well as balancing routine quality responsibilities with rapid responses to operational disruptions. Employees are exposed to outdoor elements, including varying temperatures, direct sunlight, rain, humidity, wind, dust, pollen, mud, and uneven ground. Ankle-support work boots with slip-resistant tread are required; steel-toe boots are not required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Previous experience in warehouse, shipping, logistics, manufacturing, or quality control.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions under pressure.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Basic computer proficiency with Microsoft Office and warehouse management systems.
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of quality inspection techniques, warehouse operations and logistics, shipping and receiving processes, inventory control principles, operational troubleshooting, incident management, root cause analysis, leadership and employee coaching, and time management and prioritization.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Ability to bend, reach, climb, and walk frequently throughout the nursery.
Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in all weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, humidity, wind, dust, pollen, and uneven terrain.
Ability to respond quickly to operational issues throughout the nursery.
Ankle-support work boots with slip-resistant tread are required while performing job duties; steel-toe boots are not required.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual ability.
Leadership or supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily quality control processes for all outbound shipments.
Verify staged loads for accuracy, completeness, and proper loading sequence.
Inspect trailers to ensure the correct products, quantities, and shipping documentation are present.
Verify shipment photos for quality, accuracy, and compliance with customer requirements.
Identify, document, and communicate quality issues before shipments leave the facility.
Ensure quality standards, customer specifications, and shipping requirements are consistently met.
Monitor warehouse operations for issues requiring immediate attention and respond promptly to Code Red events.
Prioritize incidents based on operational impact and business urgency, and coordinate corrective actions and resources.
Serve as the primary point of contact during operational emergencies and provide timely updates to relevant departments.
Verify corrective actions are complete before closing incidents and escalate unresolved or recurring issues to management.
Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Quality Control Representatives.
Assign daily work priorities and balance workloads among team members.
Monitor employee productivity, quality performance, and adherence to company standards.
Train new and existing employees on quality procedures, operational expectations, and Code Red response processes.
Communicate daily operational priorities, quality concerns, and safety expectations.
Coordinate activities among Shipping, Production, Inventory Control, Maintenance, Customer Service, and Warehouse Operations.
Complete and maintain quality inspection records, incident logs, corrective action documentation, and quality reports.
Document product damage, shortages, loading errors, customer-specific issues, and Code Red events.
Track quality metrics, identify trends, recommend corrective actions, and prepare reports on quality performance, operational incidents, and improvement initiatives.
Assist with resolving shipment discrepancies before dispatch and support warehouse operations during increased activity or operational downtime.
Participate in inventory audits and cycle counts as needed.
Assist with warehouse organization and process improvement projects.
Ensure compliance with company quality standards, operating procedures, and safety policies.
Identify opportunities to improve quality processes, workflow efficiency, and operational effectiveness.
Participate in root cause investigations and recommend improvements to reduce recurring quality issues and Code Red events.
Assist in developing, implementing, and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Promote accountability, teamwork, proactive problem-solving, and continuous improvement throughout warehouse operations.