MAIN JOB RESPONSIBILITIES/ DUTIES
· Safely operate tufting machines in accordance with company procedures, production specifications, and established operating standards.
· Start, stop, and monitor tufting equipment as required.
· Load and thread yarn according to the specified pattern, construction, color, and production requirements.
· Load backing material and ensure it is properly aligned and feeding through the machine.
· Monitor machine operation continuously during the production run.
· Maintain appropriate machine speed, yarn tension, stitch rate, gauge, and other operating parameters as applicable to the equipment and product.
· Make routine adjustments to machine settings to maintain product consistency.
· Monitor yarn feed, backing feed, needles, loopers, knives, cutters, and other machine components for proper operation.
· Watch for broken yarns, missed stitches, pattern variations, backing issues, and other abnormalities.
· Stop the machine when necessary to correct conditions that could result in defective product or equipment damage.
· Perform basic troubleshooting and adjustments within the operator's level of training and authorization.
· Notify the supervisor and/or maintenance department of mechanical problems that cannot be safely corrected by the operator.
· Assist with machine changeovers, pattern changes, yarn changes, and other production transitions.
· Maintain proper machine housekeeping throughout the shift.
· Inspect tufted material continuously throughout the production process.
· Identify defects such as missing stitches, yarn breaks, improper pile height, pattern irregularities, color variation, backing problems, skips, pulls, contamination, and other quality issues.
· Compare production against samples, specifications, work orders, or other quality standards.
· Make appropriate machine adjustments to correct minor quality problems.
· Stop production and notify supervision when significant or recurring quality issues are identified.
· Separate, identify, and handle defective material according to company procedures.
· Prevent defective material from continuing through the production process.
· Perform required quality checks at designated intervals.
· Record quality issues accurately and communicate recurring defects to supervision.
· Assist with investigating the source of quality problems when requested.
· Maintain awareness of how machine settings, yarn condition, backing, speed, and other factors can affect finished-product quality.
· Maintain daily production records.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS/ SKILLS
· High School diploma or equivalent
· Excellent attendance is required
· Good computer skills. General AS400 Knowledge
· Strong communication skills
· Ability to safely operate industrial textile machinery.
· Basic mechanical aptitude.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
· Stand and walk for extended periods during the work shift.
· Frequently bend, stoop, reach, twist, kneel, or crouch.
· Frequently use hands and fingers for machine operation, material handling, inspection, and adjustments.
· Repeatedly reach above, below, and around machinery.
· Push and pull materials and equipment as required.
· Lift, carry, or move materials within the limits established by company safety procedures.
· Perform repetitive movements during portions of the production process.
· Maintain sufficient visual attention to monitor machine operation and inspect product.
· Distinguish differences in color, pattern, texture, and product appearance when required for quality inspection.
· Work around moving machinery and production equipment.
· Wear required PPE for the duration of the work period.
· Lifting: 50 pounds maximum lifted. Lowest point - Ground Level, Highest point – 4 ½ feet.
