Cutting Machine Operator I

MUSTANG SURVIVAL MFG INC•Jacksonville, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cutter is responsible for cutting, shaping, trimming, marking, inspecting, bundling, and preparing coated materials, fabrics, and related production materials for downstream assembly operations. This role uses hand tools, cutting tools, bench-mounted tools, power tools, die-cutting equipment, routers, grinders, and computerized cutting equipment, including the I-9000 computerized cutting machine and CNC vacuum cutting systems. The Cutter ensures that materials are selected, positioned, cut, marked, inspected, recorded, and routed according to work orders, job specifications, cut files, patterns, templates, quality standards, and production requirements. The role directly supports production flow by ensuring that all cut parts are accurate, properly identified, defect-free where required, bundled correctly, and delivered to the appropriate work areas. This job family is structured into three progressive levels. Cutter I is the foundational level focused on learning cutting operations, safe equipment use, material handling, basic quality checks, and work order execution. Cutter II is the fully independent level responsible for operating computerized cutting equipment, completing quality checks, making adjustments and re-cuts, improving material yield, and supporting fabric inventory control. Cutter III is the advanced technical level responsible for complex cutting operations, troubleshooting equipment and process issues, optimizing yield, training less experienced cutters, coordinating with supervisors, and supporting continuous improvement within the Cutting Department.

Requirements

Ability to read and understand basic instructions.
Ability to use common sense to follow written or oral directions.
Ability to measure accurately.
Ability to work safely around cutting tools and machinery.
Ability to read and interpret work orders, job specifications, templates, patterns, cutting layouts, cut files, material records, and simple correspondence.
Ability to use measuring tools accurately.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, inches, feet, yards, and other standard measurement units.
Ability to operate cutting tools and equipment safely, including hand tools, knives, blades, scissors, electric hand tools, bench-mounted tools, routers, grinders, die cutters, CNC cutting systems, vacuum cutting tables, and the I-9000 cutting machine.
Attention to detail.
Sound judgment.
Planning and organizing ability.
Time management.
Communication skills.
Teamwork.
Safety awareness.
Willingness to work overtime when production demands require it.
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience is preferred.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
Ability to communicate with supervisors and team members.
Ability to use basic measuring tools.
Ability to learn safe operation of cutting equipment.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
Ability to measure accurately with rulers and tape measures, including common manufacturing increments such as sixteenths and eighths of an inch, feet, and yards.

Nice To Haves

Previous manufacturing, cutting, machine operation, material handling, or related production experience is helpful but not required.
Working knowledge of Excel, PatternSmith, Plotter-Pilot, and other manufacturing software.

Responsibilities

Reads work orders, job specifications, cut files, templates, patterns, and layouts to determine the product, material, cut requirements, machine settings, and production priorities.
Verifies that the correct material is selected and that the cut file, job specifications, or pattern matches the work order before beginning production.
Prepares, unrolls, lays out, spreads, mounts, or positions material on the cutting table, CNC vacuum table, I-9000 machine, or other cutting equipment to achieve accurate cuts and efficient material use.
Operates cutting machinery and equipment, including computerized cutting equipment, hand tools, knives, blades, scissors, power tools, bench-mounted tools, routers, grinders, die cutters, and related equipment needed to perform cutting functions.
Sets or adjusts stops, guides, controls, depths, widths, and cut lengths according to scales, rules, templates, patterns, or job specifications.
Activates machinery through appropriate controls, monitors cutting operations, and observes for defects, malfunctions, jamming, wrinkling, tearing, inaccurate cuts, poor markings, or other issues that may affect quality or production flow.
Performs material and product quality checks, including inspection for cosmetic defects, stains, chips, scratches, snags, unacceptable finishes, material flaws, adhesion concerns, gauge, weight, and other required material conditions.
Marks or discards defective material as appropriate, escalates quality concerns, and makes re-cuts when required.
Verifies the size, shape, accuracy, marking, and quality of cut parts before releasing them to downstream production.
Marks cutting lines, identification numbers, part markings, or other required information on products or materials to support traceability and assembly.
Records material usage information such as vendor, style, color, lot number, roll number, and yardage where required.
Folds, sorts, separates, bundles, labels, and transports cut parts, workpieces, and materials to designated work areas using carts or other approved material handling methods.
Maintains a clean, organized, and safe workstation and performs other related production duties as assigned.
Follows all safety rules, machine guarding requirements, PPE expectations, material handling procedures, and manufacturing protocols.
Learns and performs basic cutting, marking, trimming, folding, bundling, and material handling tasks while developing safe work habits, equipment familiarity, quality awareness, and an understanding of how cut parts support downstream assembly.
Reads basic work orders and follows instructions to determine the product or material to be cut.
Assists with selecting and preparing materials, spreading or positioning material on the cutting table, marking cutting lines around templates or patterns, and operating assigned cutting equipment under supervision or with limited independence.
Inspects materials and cut pieces for visible defects, verifies basic cut accuracy, marks identification information, folds or sorts materials after cutting, trims excess material, and moves cut parts to the correct location.
Learns how to identify common defects such as stains, chips, scratches, snags, unacceptable finishes, material flaws, inaccurate markings, wrinkling, tearing, or other issues that could affect finished product quality.
Learns proper bundling, labeling, and routing practices to support assembly operations.
Follows safety procedures, uses equipment and materials properly, maintains a clean and organized work area, communicates issues to the supervisor or experienced cutter, and demonstrates steady improvement in accuracy, speed, and quality.