Stitcher 1

Overview

Safely set up and operate various types of industrial sewing machines as required to do job. Make adjustments and routine light maintenance of machines. Must understand properties of leather, synthetics, and Kydex. Count and accurately record product information on log sheets.

Key Performance Indicators

• Produces products that meet or exceed quality expectations.
• Maintains or exceeds quantity expectations.
• Practices acceptable attendance as evidenced by individual attendance log.
• Works within company values as indicated by manager observation and as noted in each review cycle.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Safely handling materials, tools, and supplies used in the department.
• Determining if the product that is being manufactured has the correct parts and is correctly cut and processed to ensure a quality product.
• Performing some minor machine maintenance as required.
• Recognizing immediately if a machine is malfunctioning and notifying team leader promptly to avoid delays in production.
• Meeting schedules and maintaining good quality requirements on a daily basis.
• Filling in on any position on the production floor as required by the team leader or any other designated employee if need should arise.
• Receiving requests, instructions and directions and complying with the same.
• Complying with all safety rules and regulations and using any personal protective equipment or machine guards that may be required.
• Keeping a safe, clean and well-organized workstation.
• Recognizing any hazards or unsafe situations in the department and making suggestions to the team leader of any methods or procedures to correct the problem.
• Recognizing any defect in product and reporting defect to team leader after sending to next operation.
• Being proactive by regularly making suggestions for job improvements, product quality, housekeeping, etc.
• Keeping equipment and tools stored in their correct places.
• Notifying the team leader immediately if shortages of supplies should arise.
• Knowledge of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Job Duties of Stitcher I

The employee will perform on a regular basis

• Operating various stitching machines to sew leather and non-leather components for a wide variety of products.
• Routine cleaning, oiling, and maintenance of machines daily as required.
• Adjusting tension and stitch lengths.
• Threading the machine and changing needles and awls.
• Installing bobbins and routing thread.
• Changing presser foot and adjusting pressure as needed.
• Evaluating the compatibility of weights of top threads and bobbin threads.
• Understanding all oiling points and areas of a sewing machine that have to be cleaned and require maintenance daily.

Job Duties of Stitcher II

The employee will perform on a regular basis

• Operating various stitching machines to sew leather and non-leather components for a wide variety of products.
• Routine cleaning, oiling, and maintenance of machines daily as required.
• Adjusting tension and stitch lengths.
• Threading the machine and changing needles and awls.
• Installing bobbins and routing thread.
• Changing presser foot and adjusting pressure as needed.
• Evaluating the compatibility of weights of top threads and bobbin threads.
• Understanding all oiling points and areas of a sewing machine that have to be cleaned and require maintenance daily.
• Top stitching and close stitching of a variety of holsters and accessory products.
• Plug stitching if needed.
• Operating large, heavy-duty sewing machines. Operator must be physically able to grasp, hold, and make special maneuvers to sew heavy, difficult or complicated work.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• 2-3 years of industrial sewing experience preferred.
• Requires basic math skills sufficient for each specialty area, which includes addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Basic reading and writing skills required.

Use of Machines, Tools, and Equipment

The employee will use some or all of the following:

• Shears
• Various sewing machines
• Various cleaners, oils, etc.
• Other hand and power tools as needed

Work Environment

• Manufacturing facility
• Primary work area is a work station
• Climate controlled environment
• Attire must meet requirements as set forth in the General Safety Guidelines.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. on a regular basis and 60 lbs. occasionally.
• Ability to pick, pinch, hold, turn, grip, grasp, feel and work with both hands, arms or shoulders on a daily basis.
• Use of fingers, hands, arms, legs and feet to accomplish tasks.
• Able to lift, push, pull, sit, walk, and stand as needed.
• Ability to carry, lift, push, pull, step, climb, reach with hands and arms; bend, stoop and kneel.
• Ability to stand or sit for long periods of time on a regular basis.
• Ability to move quickly around in all areas of the facility.
• High energy level appropriate to fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work with glues, oils, and cleaners (and possibly other chemical substances).
• Adequate vision to accomplish tasks listed in this job description, including ability to identify and distinguish colors and high level of detail.
• Adequate hearing to understand directions.

Employees within the Stitcher 1 and 2 positions may specialize in one or more of the job duties outlined in this description. However, in order for the company to meet its obligations to its customers and adhere to its values, purpose and vision, all employees in a Stitcher 1 or 2 position must be capable, with proper training, of performing any of the job duties in this grade level three job description, or any job duties within the Production Technician III, IV or V positions.

Successful candidates will be required to pass a national background check, and drug screen prior to start date.