Job Description

Whisker is redefining what it means to live with cats—designing intelligent systems that remove friction, elevate the everyday, and celebrate the quiet brilliance of feline companionship. Today, Litter-Robot leads the category. Tomorrow, an entire ecosystem that expands what’s possible for cats and the people who love them. We believe the future is feline. And we’re imagining that future today.

We work onsite with our team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and Juneau, Wisconsin. Our team of 700+ passionate pet people thrives on collaboration, innovation, and the occasional office cameo from a four-legged friend.

We have a position available on both First and Second Shift.

First Shift Monday through Friday 6:00am - 2:30pm

Second Shift Monday through Friday 3:00pm - 11:30pm

*Overtime and weekend work may be required.

What You'll Do:

The Receiving Inspection Technician is responsible for assessing the acceptability of received materials to established standards. The Quality Technician - Incoming Inspector also performs product hold and release functions, communicates the status of product that has been incoming inspected and keeps an accurate log of all inspections done and their results. This role is responsible for assisting with the Material Review Board (MRB) process, handling supplier return materials, and conducting dock audits to ensure compliance with quality standards for outgoing finished goods being shipped to customers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.

• Performs incoming inspection on received materials
• Uses gauges and visual inspection to perform incoming inspections
• Uses sampling plans and random sampling to select samples
• Identifies nonconforming product
• Communicates incoming inspection results to interested parties
• Keeps accurate inspection records
• Calculates metrics for the incoming inspection function
• Sorts materials when required in order to ensure acceptable product is available for use in assembly
• Follows incoming inspection plans
• Assists in developing incoming inspection plans
• Uses drawings and other documents to determine inspection requirements
• Correctly applies labels to product to reflect inspection status
• Supports and participates in process improvement activities
• Demonstrate the willingness and ability to perform all functions of the incoming inspection process including, but not limited to, selecting correct samples, accurately measuring or assessing conformance to inspection requirements and documenting results accurately
• Communicate between departments and shifts, sharing pertinent information to optimize plant results
• Perform all duties, specified and otherwise, in a safe, constructive manner
• Perform additional responsibilities when required
• Supports the Material Review Board (MRB) process
• Handles supplier return materials, ensuring proper documentation, communication, and resolution of quality issues.
• Conducts dock audits to verify compliance with quality standards and procedures for outgoing finished goods being shipped to customers.
• Assists in the development and maintenance of procedures and work instructions related to MRB, supplier returns, and dock audits.
• Provides training and guidance to other team members on MRB processes, supplier return procedures, and dock audit protocols.
• Participates in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the MRB process, supplier return handling, and dock audits.
• Performs additional responsibilities when required

Requirements

What You'll Bring:

• High school education or equivalent work experience
• Must be a team player with a positive attitude
• Must be an efficient worker that is organized and detail-oriented
• Able to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Able to manage time effectively with minimal oversight
• A good attendance record is required
• An ability to clearly communicate
• A willingness to hold oneself and others accountable to standards and expectations
• Able to follow directions, use hand and power tools and measuring instruments
• Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information
• Ability to maintain a professional atmosphere in a fast-paced environment with numerous interactions and interruptions
• A high degree of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to motivate others
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Team Members and colleagues
• Comfortable with office pets (cats, dogs)

Not Required but Nice to Have!

• Two year technical degree in an applicable field (Quality or Manufacturing)
• Working experience in a manufacturing environment
• Lean manufacturing knowledge
• Lean Six Sigma (LSS) or American Society for Quality (ASQ) certification
• Understanding of ISO 9001
• Understanding of engineered drawings
• MS Word, Excel, and/or Google Suite experience desirable
• Previous manufacturing experience is preferred
• Bilingual (Spanish)

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands outlined below represent those that a Team Member must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The Team Member frequently uses their hands to handle or feel objects and occasionally stands, walks, and reaches with hands and arms. The Team Member must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds regularly and occasionally up to 75 pounds. Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here represent those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Benefits & Purrks: Join a tenacious, inventive company that empowers team members to chart their own path, lead by grounding decisions in the “why”, and has a strong sense of empathy and openness to new perspectives. Be a part of exciting growth, work with incredible people, and create tomorrow’s pet products—plus a whole lot of extras. You will also be provided with:

• Premium Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Whisker Parents Program
• 1 day "pawternity" leave for new pet adoption
• Pet Insurance Discount
• 401K match
• Flexible spending accounts
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous paid time off
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Top of the line equipment
• Pet-friendly office
• Whisker products and swag
• Continuing education Support
• On-site gym with Peloton
• Referral program

Statement of Inclusivity:

We believe different perspectives make Whisker better and strive to create a place where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.

Please ensure to regularly check your email spam folder for any communication from Whisker to avoid missing important updates regarding your application status.

Whisker will not ask you to interview with an AI chat bot. We ask that all interviewees refrain from using any AI tools during interviews with Whisker team members.