Inventory & Quality Assurance Assistant

Department: Quality Assurance

Reports To: Quality Assurance Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Location: 1 Quality Way, Fletcher, NC

Hourly Rate: $20.00

Company Overview

Eden Brothers is one of the largest online retailers of flower bulbs and seeds in the United States and located in Arden, North Carolina.  Our company operates with a commitment to excellence in customer service, product quality, and operational efficiency. Our mission is to help gardeners of all experience levels create beautiful, thriving landscapes through premium products and expert guidance.

About Eden Brothers

Our Purpose: We exist for you to grow. At Eden Brothers, growth begins in the garden and extends to our customers, employees, and communities.

Our Mission: We help gardeners grow successfully by providing high-quality seeds, bulbs, gardening products, and trusted guidance that make planting easy and rewarding for gardeners at every level.

Our Vision: By 2028, Eden Brothers will be the most trusted and loved ecommerce destination for gardeners, known for exceptional product quality, expert support, and a seamless customer experience.

Our Values - Our work is guided by three core principles:

• Courage – We communicate openly, take ownership, and learn from both successes and mistakes.
• Curiosity – We ask better questions, test new ideas, and continuously improve how we serve gardeners.
• Impact – We focus on meaningful outcomes that strengthen our customers, our team, and the long-term success of the business.

Our brand values—Stewardship, Care, and Wonder—reflect our belief that gardening nurtures communities, supports the natural world, and creates lasting joy.

Position Summary

This role supports the overlap between receiving, inventory accuracy, lot traceability, and quality assurance. The position is responsible for receiving incoming bulk seed and other products, applying and maintaining accurate lot information, supporting receiving-related quality checks, assisting with in-house germination testing, updating germination and lot-related records, and helping maintain expiration-related and traceability data in company systems.

This role reports directly to the Quality Assurance Manager and will flex between quality and inventory responsibilities based on business needs.

• Receive incoming bulk seed, bulbs, finished goods, and related inventory using company systems and established procedures
• Verify product against purchase orders, packing lists, supplier documentation, and internal receiving requirements
• Apply, verify, and maintain accurate lot number information for incoming product
• Ensure received inventory is properly identified, traceable, and entered accurately into company systems
• Communicate shortages, overages, damage, missing information, or other receiving discrepancies to the appropriate teams
• Perform receiving inspections on seed, bulb, and related product and document visible quality concerns
• Assist in assessing bulb quality and escalating issues such as mold, rot, poor condition, or other defects
• Pull inventory samples for in-house germination testing and prepare materials according to SOPs
• Assist with germination test setup, documentation, observations, and updated germination records
• Support expiration date maintenance, lot date updates, and related quality system recordkeeping
• Help maintain lot traceability, germination data, receiving records, and other quality-related documentation
• Perform cycle counts, inventory checks, and support inventory discrepancy investigations as needed
• Put away, replenish, consolidate, and organize inventory while following FIFO and FEFO practices where applicable
• Follow all receiving, inventory, germination, quality assurance, and documentation SOPs
• Flex into inventory, bulb receiving, and other warehouse support functions based on business needs

Required Skills

• Previous experience in warehouse operations, receiving, inventory, quality assurance, agriculture, horticulture, seed, food production, or related environments preferred
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to follow SOPs and established processes consistently
• Comfortable working with both physical product and system-based documentation
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage detail-driven work
• Able to identify inconsistencies or product concerns and communicate them clearly
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced warehouse environment with changing priorities
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and follow through on tasks
• Basic computer and tablet proficiency required
• Experience with ERP or inventory systems preferred

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Prior experience in a warehouse, shipping, or receiving role preferred but not always required.
• Experience with lot-controlled inventory
• Experience receiving bulk agricultural, horticultural, or seed products
• Experience supporting traceability, germination testing, quality documentation, or inventory control processes
• Familiarity with inventory adjustments, lot record maintenance, or expiration-related data
• Experience working cross-functionally with Quality, Inventory, and Purchasing-related processes

Tools & Systems Used:

• Odoo
• ShipHero
• Tablets
• Desktop computers
• Barcode scanners
• Pallet trucks
• Electric pallet jacks
• Manual pallet jacks
• Hand trucks
• Carts
• Razor knives
• Heat sealers

This role is ideal for individuals who are detail-oriented, tech-savvy, and eager to play a key role in warehouse inventory operations.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The Quality Assurance Assistant works primarily in a warehouse environment characterized by:

• A busy, fast-paced setting with frequent movement throughout the receiving and storage areas.
• Exposure to moderate to high noise levels from machinery, trucks, and warehouse operations.
• Varying temperatures depending on the season, as warehouses may not be fully climate-controlled.
• Requirement to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety shoes, gloves, and high-visibility vests.
• Interaction with delivery drivers, warehouse staff, and inventory personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Regular standing, walking, bending, and lifting of materials up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment (if certified).
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks and maintain physical stamina for extended periods.
• Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity for inspecting and handling goods.

Compensation & Benefits

Eden Brothers offers a market-competitive compensation package that includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Employee discount program
• Opportunities for career growth within a rapidly growing company

Equal Opportunity Employer

Eden Brothers is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.