The Design Studio Sewing Specialist transforms individual plush components into fully assembled, customized stuffed animals through sewing, embroidery, eye installation, and finishing techniques. This role combines craftsmanship, attention to detail, quality control, and guest-centered execution to ensure every furry friend meets Build-A-Bear quality and safety standards.
Responsibilities:
Plush Construction & Assembly:
- Assemble plush products from individual components, including heads, bodies, limbs, and specialty elements.
- Operate sewing equipment to construct and finish customized stuffed animals.
- Perform hand-sewing and detailed finishing work when required.
- Follow established production guides, patterns, and construction procedures.
- Maintain consistency in construction quality, appearance, and durability.
- Complete product builds within established production expectations and guest pickup timelines.
Embroidery & Personalization:
- Operate embroidery machines to create personalized names, messages, and design elements.
- Prepare, load, and monitor embroidery files, templates, thread colors, and materials according to guest selections.
- Ensure embroidered products meet quality, appearance, and personalization accuracy standards.
- Troubleshoot basic embroidery issues and escalate equipment concerns when needed.
Eye Application & Equipment Operation:
- Safely operate the ultrasonic eye machine and related production tools used to accurately place and attach eyes.
- Position and apply eyes according to design specifications.
- Verify eye placement, alignment, and attachment security before the product advances in the workflow.
- Conduct routine equipment checks and report operational concerns promptly.
Quality Control & Safety:
- Inspect completed products for construction quality, accuracy, personalization, safety, and overall appearance.
- Verify sewn seams, attached components, eyes, embroidery, and finishing details meet quality expectations.
- Participate in quality control sign-off processes, including independent review when required.
- Identify and correct defects before guest pickup.
- Follow safety standards, operating procedures, equipment requirements, and product handling expectations.
Design Studio Operations
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace.
- Monitor supplies, thread, plush components, and production materials.
- Support training, process improvements, documentation updates, and other duties assigned by leadership.
- Support retail operations as needed, including assisting with sales floor activities.
Required Qualifications:
- High School diploma or equivalent
- 3-5 years sewing, crafting, manufacturing, tailoring, upholstery, soft goods, or related experience
- Experience operating industrial sewing machines and performing detailed hand-finishing work
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Ability to follow written procedures, production specifications, and safety requirements
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with embroidery equipment, personalization processes, plush, apparel, or textile products
Behavioral Traits for Success:
- Sewing and construction expertise
- Precision, craftsmanship, and quality assurance mindset
- Equipment operation and basic troubleshooting
- Time management and productivity
- Problem solving and adaptability in a fast-paced environment
- Team collaboration and commitment to the guest experience
Working Environment:
- Requires the ability to sit, stand, and move around for duration of shift
- Requires the ability to perform repetitive hand and arm movements
- Requires the ability to safely use sewing, embroidery, eye application, and production equipment
- Requires the ability to distinguish colors, patterns, and fine details
- Work environments include indoor/outdoor malls, strip centers, and other retail locations
- Lift > 25 pounds
Your Performance Will Be Measured On:
Your performance will be measured by your ability to achieve annual department objectives and corporate goals which include but are not limited to the following:
- Production quality, construction accuracy, and guest-ready appearance.
- Personalization accuracy, including embroidery and eye placement.
- Completion of production within established workflow expectations.
- Quality control pass rates and timely correction of deficiencies.
- Compliance with safety standards and operating procedures.
- Guest satisfaction with finished products.
- Stakeholder feedback.
This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Supervisors may assign additional functions and requirements as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent an expressed or implied contract of employment, nor does it alter your at-will employment, and Build-A-Bear, Inc. reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as may be deemed appropriate.