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Quality Associate Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Position tests product batches and will make adjustments, as necessary, to ensure compliance with customer specifications and quality standards. Tests incoming raw materials and maintains ...

Position tests product batches and will make adjustments, as necessary, to ensure compliance with customer specifications and quality standards. Tests incoming raw materials and maintains ...

Position tests product batches and will make adjustments, as necessary, to ensure compliance with customer specifications and quality standards. Tests incoming raw materials and maintains ...

Position tests product batches and will make adjustments, as necessary, to ensure compliance with customer specifications and quality standards. Tests incoming raw materials and maintains ...

The FQM Associate analyzes market defect indicators to predict future market defects and guide quality improvement efforts, thereby implementing quality planning. The FQM Associate also ...

Quality Control Associate Memphis, TN About Odyssey Logistics Odyssey Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain partner helping businesses optimize performance through fully integrated, end-to ...

Regularly exercises discretion and in performing duties directly related to the general operation of product quality control. RESPONSIBILITIES Provide technical, customer relations, and personnel ...

Quality Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

$68K - $88K/yr

Edgewater Technical Associates is seeking qualified candidates for a Quality Engineer opportunity in Oak Ridge, TN . We are seeking a detail-oriented and compliance-driven Quality Engineer to support ...

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Quality Associate information

See Tennessee salary details

$10

$24

$46

How much do quality associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for quality associate in Tennessee is $24.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $28.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a quality associate?

Quality Associates are professionals responsible for ensuring that products or services meet established quality standards before reaching customers. They assist in monitoring production processes, performing inspections, and documenting quality issues or defects. Quality Associates also help implement quality control procedures and work closely with other departments to resolve any quality-related problems. Their role is essential in maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and ensuring customer satisfaction.

What does a quality associate do?

A quality associate works as part of a team, typically in the manufacturing industry, to inspect and audit a factory to ensure that production follows the necessary protocols and delivers the expected results. In this role, your responsibilities involve all aspects of quality control. You test procedures and make adjustments as required to meet goals and deadlines. As part of your duties, you log your findings and implement a plan for the smooth operation of the line for the long-term. Some people in this career specialize in a particular facet of the manufacturing process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a quality associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Quality Associate, you need attention to detail, knowledge of quality control principles, and often a degree in science, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with quality management systems (such as ISO 9001), statistical analysis tools, and documentation software is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities help you collaborate across teams and address process issues effectively. These skills and qualities ensure that products and processes consistently meet standards, minimizing errors and maintaining compliance.

What are some common challenges quality associates face when working on cross-functional teams?

Quality Associates often collaborate with departments like manufacturing, engineering, and regulatory affairs to ensure product quality standards are met. One common challenge is balancing differing priorities—while production teams may be focused on output and speed, Quality Associates must prioritize compliance and thorough documentation. Navigating these competing interests requires strong communication skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Building positive relationships across teams and fostering a culture of quality can help overcome these challenges and ensure successful outcomes.

What is the difference between Quality Associate vs Quality Technician?

AspectQuality AssociateQuality Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may prefer certifications like ASQ CQPAHigh school diploma; certifications like CQTA are common but not always required
Work EnvironmentOffice settings, manufacturing floors, labsManufacturing plants, labs, production lines
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, automotiveManufacturing, electronics, pharmaceuticals
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level quality rolesSimilar roles but more technical focus

While both roles focus on quality assurance, a Quality Associate typically handles documentation, audits, and process improvements, often in office or administrative settings. A Quality Technician usually performs hands-on inspections, testing, and data collection directly on the production floor. Both roles are essential in maintaining product quality but differ in their daily tasks and work environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Quality jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Quality jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Quality Associate jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Quality Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Quality Associate job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,843 per year, or $24.4 per hour.

Quality Associate: 1st Shift

Avient

Vonore, TN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Avient rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 38 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 85 rated plastic manufacturers


Job description

Position tests product batches and will make adjustments, as necessary, to ensure compliance with customer specifications and quality standards. Tests incoming raw materials and maintains Certificates of Analysis (COA) from suppliers.

Our purpose at Avient Corporation is to be an innovator of materials solutions that help our customers succeed, while enabling a sustainable world.


Innovation goes far beyond materials science; it's powered by the passion, creativity, and diverse expertise of 9,000 professionals worldwide. Whether you're a finance wizard, a tech enthusiast, an operational powerhouse, an HR changemaker, or a trailblazer in materials development, you'll find your place at Avient.


Join our global team and help shape the future with sustainable solutions that transform possibilities into realities. Your unique perspective could be the key to our next breakthrough!


We believe that all of our global employees are leaders and that the six most important behaviors for driving our strategy and culture are the same no matter if an employee is a leader of self, a leader of others, or a leader of the business.


By playing to win, acting customer centric, driving innovation and profitable growth, collaborating seamlessly across Avient, and motivating and inspiring and developing others and yourself you will accelerate your ability to achieve Avient's strategic goals, to meet our customer needs, and to accomplish your career goals.


At Avient, we believe a wide variety of thoughts, ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world.  In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person's qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.


Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran's status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to complete an online application, please contact the Avient HR Team by emailing, ApplicationAccommodation@Avient.com.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

  • Performs standard tests on assigned product line production batches and on some incoming raw materials as needed, ensuring the meeting of Avient and the customer's specifications.
  • Acts as a technical resource to production addressing issues related to production batches.
  • Recommends to production and may develop adjustments to batches to meet specifications.
  • Records test results in SAP. Maintains reference files.
  • Completes and maintain all required paperwork, records, documents, etc.
  • Ensures all gauges and test equipment are verified.
  • May participate in investigations of complaints and corrective actions as needed.
  • Follows and complies with all safety and work rules and regulations. Maintains departmental housekeeping standards.
  • Completes and sends documentation to customers (i.e. COA).
  • Other duties as assigned.

Physical/Environ. Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk and/or hear. Occasionally required to sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally handle up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities may be required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Requires the use of safety equipment as dictated by the work area such as safety glasses and shoes, dust mask, hard hat, respirator, face shield, hearing protection, chemical suit, gloves, aprons, etc. Work is inside and the typical noise level
fluctuates from moderate to loud. Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock.

Scope

Manufacturing Plant.


What Avient employees say

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