CARTERET -- Amazon has opened its largest fulfillment center in the state -- a 1-million-square-foot facility bustling with more than 2,000 employees in the heart of New Jersey's industrial hub.

Chris Cooper, the facility's general manager and a Carteret resident, said the new fulfillment center will serve as a major artery to ship items to customers faster in the state and mid-Atlantic area.

"So having a new building in Carteret makes it possible to keep customers happier, help to get packages out more quickly and as many as possible," he said.

During a sneak peek tour of the new Carteret facility Thursday, the machinery, mechanisms and people were already humming along.

Amazon also announced plans Friday to open three additional fulfillment centers in Cranbury, Edison and Logan, creating more than 2,500 new, full-time jobs, according to a statement from Amazon.

Inside the Carteret facility, employees work with a fleet of autonomous robots, made by Kiva Systems, which glide around and bring products to warehouse workers. The warehouse workers, known as "pickers," scan the items and send them on their way for packaging and shipping.

A book, two dog sweaters and some sort of gardening product were among a few items dropped off by one of the orange robots, which are an essential component at distribution centers. Otherwise workers would have to walk the length of a football field to retrieve a given item.

"There's a lot of automation here," said Lauren Lynch, a company spokesperson.

Currently, Amazon -- which launched its operations in New Jersey about five years ago -- has more than 13,000 full-time employees in its seven facilities in Avenel, Carteret, Florence, Logan Township and Robbinsville.

The company plans to have a 900,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Cranbury Township and another 1-million-square-foot fulfillment center in Logan Township to "pick, pack and ship larger customer items" like music equipment, sports gear, and patio furniture.

An additional 900,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Edison "will handle smaller customer like books, toys and kitchenware," the statement said.

"We applaud Amazon for investing in several expansions throughout New Jersey and for creating greater opportunities for our high-quality workforce," Gov. Chris Christie said in the statement.

Those interested in job opportunities at the facility can visit www.amazondelivers.job.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.