Industrial Sewing Machine Operator (Cut-and-Sew)

About the role

Reporting to manufacturing leadership, you’ll run industrial sewing machines to join, gather, hem, and reinforce a variety of materials. Your craftsmanship and attention to detail will help us meet quality metrics and consistently exceed our company standards.

A day in the life

You begin by reviewing the Work Order, Product Guides, and patterns. You set up your machine, organize binding, webbing, cord, tape, and thread by specification and color, and prepare the workstation. As you sew to the Production Sample (the CMC Standard), you guide parts under the needle using edges, seams, and machine-bed guides or part markings. You continuously watch the stitch line, catching any defect quickly and notifying the Manufacturing Supervisor or Sewing Lead if an issue stems from machine malfunction or sewer error. Throughout the shift, you keep materials and works-in-process neat, trim excess threads or fabric, oil your machine, and perform in-process inspections to ensure top-tier quality. You collaborate in Lean Cells, coordinate shared equipment, and assist with other tasks as assigned by manufacturing management.

Core responsibilities

• Set up and operate industrial sewing machines for diverse operations (joining, gathering, hemming, reinforcing).
• Guide components precisely under the needle, following edges, seams, machine-bed guides, or part markings.
• Sew to the Production Sample (CMC Standard); follow Product Guides and Work Orders.
• Monitor stitching for defects; alert the Manufacturing Supervisor or Sewing Lead when issues result from machine or operator error.
• Select, cut, and organize sewing supplies (binding, webbing, cord, tape, thread) per Work Order specifications and color.
• Maintain raw materials, WIP, and finished goods in a clean, orderly manner.
• Trim excess threads/material; oil and care for machines.
• Inspect products during production to verify quality.
• Construct items as specified by Work Orders, samples, Product Guides, and patterns.
• Keep assigned workstations organized and clean.
• Work collaboratively in Lean Cells and coordinate equipment sharing.
• Support additional tasks as directed by manufacturing management.

Skills, knowledge, and abilities

• Hands-on industrial sewing experience, including operation of industrial machines; heavy stitching experience is a plus.
• Ability to follow Product Guides and interpret Work Orders; comfortable with instructions delivered in written, oral, or schedule form.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of industrial sewing experience preferred.