Sewing Machine Operator I

SHUR-CO•Rootstown Township, OH

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sewing Machine Operator I operates sewing machines to join, gather, hem, reinforce, or decorate articles. The entry-level operator sets up thread and bobbins, positions materials beneath the presser foot and needle, controls the machine, guides materials during stitching, checks for defects, selects supplies according to specifications or material color, trims excess thread or material, and oils the machine. The role requires the ability to read and understand work orders, sales orders, and drawings, and training on one style of sewing machine. Employees may progress through skilled and advanced operator levels. Operator II is trained on two sewing-machine styles. Operator III is trained on all types of sewing machines, assists with special sewing projects, works with engineering on sewing specifications, and may guide peers. A lead operator must meet the requirements of all three levels and demonstrate leadership potential, including at least four listed leadership skills, with willingness to be coached in additional skills. Lead responsibilities include communicating clearly, listening to feedback, solving problems, applying technical knowledge, building trust, managing time proactively, promoting safety and quality, and cross-training department and new employees. The successful employee is dependable, punctual, attentive to detail, accurate, collaborative, and able to keep a clean and organized work area while following company policies and procedures. The employee must pass a forklift certification test and be able to drive a forklift. The role involves regular exposure to moving mechanical parts and may involve wet or humid conditions, high or precarious places, and vibration. The employee must follow safety directives and protocols, help identify hazards, and contribute to quality assurance and continuous improvement. Other related duties may be assigned to meet organizational needs.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED, or one to three months of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to use common-sense reasoning to carry out written, oral, or diagrammed instructions.
Must pass a forklift certification test and be able to drive a forklift.
Strong attendance and dependability, including reporting to work on time and completing assigned tasks accurately.
Ability to maintain a clean and organized work environment, follow company policies and procedures, and demonstrate attention to detail and focus.
Ability to work collaboratively with team members to support productivity and operational efficiency.
For the entry-level operator designation, training on one style of sewing machine.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical ability to regularly stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear; frequently climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; occasionally sit; frequently lift or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift or move more than 50 pounds.
Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

For Operator II: training on two styles of sewing machine.
For Operator III: training on all types of sewing machines; interest in learning additional skills; good decision-making without supervision; strong people skills; ability to help with special sewing projects, work with engineering on sewing specifications, and give direction or lead peers.
For the lead position: potential for advancement into a leadership role; at least four of the listed leadership skills and ability to be trained or coached in further leadership skills; willingness and ability to cross-train department and new employees.

Responsibilities

Set up the sewing machine by placing thread on the spindle and drawing it through machine guides, tension, and the needle, and insert and thread the bobbin or looper as applicable.
Raise the presser foot or spread feed cups, position parts under the presser foot and needle, and lower the presser foot.
Start, stop, and control machine speed using a pedal or knee lever.
Guide materials under the needle using edges, seams, machine-bed guides, or markings.
Observe stitching for defects and notify a supervisor or Sewing Machine Repairer when defects result from machine malfunction.
Select sewing supplies such as binding, braid, cord, piping, tape, thread, welt, Velcro, or rope according to specifications or material color.
Cut excess thread or material and oil the machine.
Read and understand work orders, sales orders, and drawings.
At advanced levels, help with special sewing projects, work with engineering on sewing specifications, and provide direction or leadership to peers.
At the lead level, communicate instructions, listen to feedback, solve problems, provide technical guidance, build team trust, manage time proactively, promote safety and quality, and cross-train department and new employees.
Follow all safety directives and protocols and help identify hazards or violations.
Contribute to quality assurance and continuous quality improvement.
Maintain dependable attendance, complete assigned tasks accurately, keep the work area clean and organized, and collaborate with team members.
Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the organization's ongoing needs.