Peg by Hand

Lucchese Bootmaker•El Paso, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hand Pegger secures the shank area of handcrafted western boots by driving wooden pegs or brass nails by hand through the outsole into the insole. Using an awl, peg hammer, and other pegging tools, the employee places each peg in a consistent pattern, spacing, and depth to provide strength and support and promote long service life. The work must be completed without damaging the sole or upper and in accordance with Lucchese quality and craftsmanship standards. The role is responsible for hand pegging the shank area on each pair, from receiving boots after sole attaching through inspection and transfer of the pegged pair to the next operation. The employee also records production information, maintains tools and the work area, follows safety and quality procedures, and supports other operations as assigned. The position is full-time, based at 40 Walter Jones Blvd., El Paso, TX 79906. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with a 40–55-hour workweek. Overtime and Saturday shifts may be required based on production needs.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
Strong attention to detail and manual dexterity.
Good hand-eye coordination.
Ability to read and interpret work orders, patterns, and production specifications.
Basic mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, production-driven manufacturing environment.
Commitment to quality, productivity, and workplace safety.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Professional attitude and reliable attendance.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong time-management, analytical, critical-thinking, and task-prioritization skills.
Ability to analyze issues and identify root causes of problems.
Ability to operate machines and maintain organized work processes.
Ability to communicate and share information effectively, listen actively, and build trust and credibility.
Ability to sit at a station for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks.
Ability to sit continuously for a minimum of eight-hour shifts.
Frequent repetitive hand and finger movement and frequent use of hands and fingers to handle, grasp, and operate tools, equipment, keyboards, and production devices.
Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, and reach above shoulder level.
Ability to visually inspect products, equipment, production processes, and workplace conditions at close and distance.
Ability to hear and respond to verbal instructions, alarms, and other workplace communications.
Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and move heavier items with or without assistance or mechanical lifting devices.
Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with machinery, moving equipment, varying temperatures, noise, dust, and other typical industrial conditions while wearing required PPE.
Ability to perform repetitive trimming tasks for extended periods.
Ability to maintain regular, reliable attendance and work scheduled hours necessary to meet business and operational requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with leather, footwear, boots, or similar materials.
Two to three years of experience in a leather goods or boot manufacturing environment.
Preferred bilingual ability in Spanish and English.
Experience operating industrial sewing machines, preferably in footwear, leather goods, or upholstery.
Experience with western boots or leather.
5S Workplace Organization and Visual Management Training.

Responsibilities

Drive wooden pegs or brass nails through the outsole into the insole using an awl, peg hammer, and pegging tools.
Read work tickets to confirm style, size, width, peg pattern, and number of rows.
Inspect boots before pegging for loose soles, misplaced shanks, or other defects; set aside and report issues.
Mark and punch peg holes with consistent spacing, alignment, and angle according to the specified pattern.
Set pegs to the correct depth without splitting the sole or breaking through the insole.
Maintain a symmetrical peg pattern on both boots of each pair.
Trim or level peg ends flush with the sole and insole surfaces as required.
Inspect pegged boots for loose, broken, missing, or misaligned pegs; correct or set aside nonconforming pairs.
Keep pairs together and correctly tagged, then route them to the next operation.
Record production counts, rework, and defects on work tickets or in the shop system.
Keep tools sharp, clean, and in good condition; promptly report worn or damaged tools.
Follow safety procedures, including safe use of awls, hammers, and hand tools and use of required PPE.
Keep the work area clean, organized, and free of peg scraps and debris.
Support other bottoming operations as assigned by the supervisor and assist in other areas as directed by management.
Comply with company safety policies, procedures, and applicable occupational safety regulations.
Promote safety, accountability, and hazard awareness; conduct safety observations, workplace inspections, and housekeeping activities.
Report, investigate, and document injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions, and safety incidents; support corrective and preventive actions as appropriate.
Ensure required safety training and safe operating practices are followed; support emergency preparedness and safety drills.
Stop or suspend work when an unsafe condition presents an immediate risk and promptly notify management.
Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work area in accordance with 5S and housekeeping standards.
Ensure products meet Lucchese quality standards and customer expectations, and reinforce adherence to SOPs.
Prevent unauthorized process changes and escalate improvement opportunities through the appropriate approval process.
Partner with Quality and Manufacturing leadership to investigate root causes and implement corrective actions.
Identify opportunities to improve processes, workflow, and quality.