Sewing Machine Operator

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Job Summary

Tends one or more semiautomatic sewing machines to attach, join, or reinforce garments or other textile products.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Receives production order.
• Thread machine and adjust thread tensions.
• Position fabric or parts in holding device on machine bed, using guides, edges or markings.
• Operate sewing machine to join parts of fabricated textile products or garments.
• Operate chain-stitch machine equipped with folder to fold and attach binding material over raw edge of garment.
• Operate blind-stitch machine to join fabric layers or attach tape or parts to garment, or to hem bottom or edges of garment.
• Operate lockstitch machine to set pockets, join shoulders, set sleeves, and reinforce seams.
• Operate zig-zag sewing machine to perform topstitch.
• May insert draw-string cord under edge of material to fabricate bags or other canvas products.
• May stamp grommets into edges of canvas, using mallet and punch or eyelet machine.
• Operate sewing machine to repair defects such as tears, holes, ripped seams or defective stitching.
• Keep machine well-oiled and change needles as needed. Report malfunction to supervisor immediately.
• Performs general maintenance on equipment.
• Maintains cleanliness of work area and equipment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Carries out conduct and leadership responsibilities in accordance with company policies, procedures, safety, and applicable laws.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information to one-on-one and small group situations to management, outside resources, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standard situations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Some independent travel may be required.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, toxic chemicals, and heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.