Quality Engineer - Packaging

Quality Engineer

World Centric is looking for a hands-on Quality Engineer who genuinely enjoys lab work. You'll inspect finished products, test new products in development, and support our quality, food safety, and social compliance programs across our paper, molded fiber, and compostable plastics packaging lines.

World Centric partners with contract manufacturers rather than operating our own plants. That shapes this role in an important way: your quality influence comes through rigorous testing, clear specifications, and direct supplier engagement rather than line-side process control. You'll build the evidence base that tells us and our customers whether a product actually performs.

This is a lab-based role built on rigorous, repetitive testing: measuring, recording, and analyzing product performance. Consistent execution of test protocols is what makes our quality data trustworthy, so it's an ideal fit for someone who takes real satisfaction in methodical, detailed work. This is 50% of the role.

You'll be the quality presence on site in Stone Mountain. Our Director of Quality works remotely, so this position calls for someone genuinely comfortable managing their own priorities, deciding what needs escalating, and keeping work moving without daily oversight.

Our CEO is based on site and takes an active interest in product quality. You should be comfortable asking and answering questions directly, explaining test results and their implications clearly, and engaging credibly with everyone from lab work to the executive level.

What You'll Do

• Inspect and test products for conformance to spec dimensions, capacity, lid fit, structural integrity, and performance under food-contact, heat, moisture, and freezer conditions
• Support quality, food safety, and social compliance programs by maintaining records, tracking requirements, and keeping documentation current and on time
• Investigate customer complaints and quality concerns: review data, run tests, identify root causes, document corrective actions
• Partner directly with contract manufacturers and suppliers on quality investigations, corrective actions, and product consistency
• Test and evaluate new products and product changes against performance, regulatory, and customer requirements
• Analyze inspection and test data to spot trends and recommend improvements that reduce defects
• Operate and maintain lab equipment, inspection tools, and measurement devices
• Maintain quality documentation specifications, test methods, inspection reports, procedures, and testing schedules
• Lead or support small projects in quality improvement, supplier development, and new product introduction
• Prepare and ship product samples using approved tracking systems

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Packaging Engineering, or a closely related engineering or engineering technology discipline
• Hands-on experience with measurement and inspection equipment (calipers, scales, force gauges) and the judgment to interpret results
• Experience with supplier quality investigations, root-cause analysis, and CAPA
• Demonstrated ability to work independently setting priorities, managing deadlines, and knowing when to escalate with a remote manager
• Confident communicator across all levels of an organization, including presenting technical findings and recommendations directly to senior leadership
• Working knowledge of food-contact packaging requirements and quality management systems; familiarity with FSSC 22000, BRCGS Packaging Materials, ISO 9001, amfori BSCI, SMETA/Sedex, or SA8000
• Comfort with repetitive, high-accuracy testing and inspection work
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; comfortable with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and/or lab management systems
• ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) or comparable quality certification preferred

What Moves You Toward the Top of the Range

• Experience managing quality outcomes in an outsourced or contract-manufacturing model, including supplier audits and offshore supplier relationships
• Active ASQ certification (CQI, CQA, CQE) or equivalent
• Track record of building or standardizing test methods and inspection systems, not just executing existing ones

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand, walk, and perform laboratory and inspection activities for extended periods, including up to four consecutive hours. Reasonable accommodations will be considered.

World Centric welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and aims to find the people who not only meet the requirements of the job but also contribute to the culture in a way that recognizes our efforts towards the overall wellbeing of people and planet.

The culture and mission fit is important for us and these requirements include a strong awareness, passion and commitment to social and environmental issues; a high degree of competence, motivation, and initiative; and adaptability and ability to collaborate with others. We know that most candidates will not meet all of the requirements but we would like the opportunity to select from the most diverse candidate pool as possible.