QA Associate

Overview

Sprout is a global IT hardware retirement provider for hyperscaler and enterprise clients. We leverage a nationwide footprint (and international partner network) combined with proprietary software to enable efficient end-to-end IT asset disposition (ITAD) with a focus on data-bearing devices from the client to the cloud. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, NC with additional operations near Sacramento, Dallas, and Boston. Sprout provides software and services to clients in the form of our IT Asset Disposition, Certified Destruction, and Responsible Recycling solutions.

Since our founding as an electronic waste startup from a Duke University dorm room in 2014, we have been expanding at an average rate of >66% each year. By adhering to our 3 values (One Sprout, Deliver Excellence, and Integrity Matters), we are proud of our culture to move at #SproutSpeed to become the emerging leader in our industry. For more information, please visit: www.sproutup.com.

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Associate owns the data and systems behind warehouse quality. You'll track defect and audit results, find the root causes of grading, testing and data-sanitization errors, and drive corrective actions that keep our R2/e-Stewards and ISO programs audit-ready. Where QC Technicians inspect individual assets, this role looks across the whole operation to spot trends and fix processes.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities

• Build and maintain quality KPIs (first-pass yield, grading accuracy, audit pass rate, RMA/return rate, sanitization exceptions) and report them weekly to operations leadership.
• Analyze QC audit results, nonconformances and customer returns to find trends by line, shift, product type or technician.
• Lead root cause analysis (5 Whys, fishbone, Pareto) and manage corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) through to verified closure.
• Verify data sanitization and destruction records reconcile with serial-level inventory, and escalate any chain-of-custody gaps immediately.
• Write and update SOPs, work instructions, grading guides and QC checklists; train technicians on changes.
• Plan and run internal audits against R2v3, e-Stewards, ISO 9001/14001/45001 and NAID AAA requirements; prepare evidence for external audits.
• Investigate customer complaints and downstream vendor issues, and write clear findings for account managers and customers.
• Set sampling plans and acceptance criteria for outbound lots by asset type and customer requirement.
• Audit downstream vendors and keep the documentation the certifications require.
• Partner with operations, sales and IT to fix ERP/WMS data quality issues that cause grading or inventory errors.

Qualifications

Required qualifications

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in a technical, business or quality field, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years in quality assurance, quality control or compliance in a warehouse, manufacturing, refurbishment or ITAD environment.
• Hands-on root cause analysis and CAPA experience.
• Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, charts) and comfort pulling data from an ERP or WMS.
• Working knowledge of IT hardware (servers, storage, networking, laptops, drives).
• Clear writer who can turn findings into SOPs, reports and audit responses.
• Able to pass a background check, given access to customer data-bearing devices.

Preferred qualifications

• Direct experience with R2v3, e-Stewards, ISO 9001/14001/45001 or NAID AAA audits.
• ISO internal auditor, ASQ CQA/CQI or Six Sigma Green Belt certification.
• Familiarity with data sanitization standards and tools (NIST 800-88, Blancco).
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, Metabase or SQL for quality reporting.
• Experience with ITAD-specific platforms such as Makor, Razor or a comparable ERP.

Physical requirements and work environment

• Split time between an office setting and the warehouse floor for audits and investigations.
• Stand and walk for extended periods during floor audits.
• Occasionally lift up to 50 lbs; team-lift heavier servers and equipment.
• Work around forklifts, conveyor lines and shredding equipment while wearing required PPE.

What we offer

• Competitive salary
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Support for quality and audit certifications
• A path into Quality Manager or Compliance Manager roles

EEO – Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, nationality, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or on any other basis prohibited by law (except where an attribute is a bona fide occupational qualification)