Job Description
Job Title: Stitch Outsole Department Name Goodyear Effective Date: 10/20/2026
Reports to (title): Manufacturing Supervisor # of Direct Reports: N/A # Indirect Reports: N/A
Individual Contributor: Yes No Full Time/Part Time: Full-time # Hours Per Week: 40-55 hrs
Average Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Overtime and Saturday shifts may be required based on production needs. Location: El Paso, TX 40 Walter Jones Blvd 79906
Job summary:
The Outsole Stitch Operator attaches the outsole to the welt of the boot using a specialized lockstitch outsole stitching machine. This is a key step in Goodyear Welt construction, since it affects the boot's durability, water resistance, and finished appearance. The role requires precision, good hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail to keep the stitching even, well aligned, and to the specifications on each work order.
Scope of job:
Goodyear department of the boot manufacturing process. The role is responsible for stitching the outsole to the welt on Goodyear Welt boots, so that each pair meets Lucchese quality, durability, and appearance standards before moving on to finishing operations.
Duties/Responsibilities:
All responsibilities mentioned below can be modified, but not limited to, based on the company’s needs.
- Review and interpret production tickets and work orders, including style, size, thread color, and stitching specifications.
- Operate the outsole stitching machine, guiding the boot to stitch the outsole to the welt evenly and consistently.
- Maintain correct stitches per inch (SPI), thread tension, and edge distance.
- Make sure the stitching stays within the sole channel and lines up with the welt edge.
- Inspect each pair for skipped stitches, broken thread, misalignment, or leather damage, and correct or report defects.
- Change thread, needles, and awls, and do basic machine adjustments and cleaning.
- Meet daily production quotas while keeping quality standards.
- Follow all safety procedures and wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Keep the work area clean and organized, and work with the upstream and downstream departments.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Ability to read, interpret, and follow production tickets and work orders accurately.
- Manufacturing or footwear-production experience preferred.
- Good hand-eye coordination and attention to detail.
- Ability to stand and perform repetitive work for extended periods.
- Ability to follow work instructions and safety procedures.
- Reliable, quality-focused, and able to work as part of a production team.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Ability to meet daily production quotas while maintaining quality standards.
- Willingness to work overtime as production demands require.
- Process area: Covers the outsole stitching operation, from receiving welted and soled boots at the station to handing off stitched boots to the next department (such as heel attaching, edge trimming, or finishing).
- Equipment: Operates, sets up, and maintains the outsole stitching machine, including changing thread, needles, and awls, adjusting stitch length and tension, and doing routine cleaning. Major repairs are referred to Maintenance.
- Quality: Responsible for first-line quality inspection of their own work. Identifies and corrects stitching defects when possible, and reports recurring issues or upstream defects to the Lead or Supervisor.
- Production: Accountable for meeting daily output targets for assigned work orders while keeping quality and safety standards.
- Documentation: Follows production tickets and work orders accurately, and records production and defect information as required.
- Safety: Follows all safety rules, machine guarding requirements, and PPE requirements, and reports unsafe conditions right away.
- Assist in other areas of production as needed.
Safety and Compliance:
- Comply with all company safety policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local occupational safety regulations.
- Lead by example in promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and hazard awareness throughout the production team.
- Ensure team members consistently use required personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow safe work practices.
- Conduct routine safety observations, workplace inspections, and housekeeping activities to identify and address potential hazards.
- immediately report, investigate, and document workplace injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions, and safety incidents, implementing corrective and preventive actions as appropriate.
- Ensure employees receive required safety training and reinforce compliance with established safety procedures and safe operating practices.
- Support emergency preparedness activities, including evacuation procedures, emergency response protocols, and participation in safety drills.
- Stop or suspend work when an unsafe condition presents an immediate risk to employees, equipment, product quality, or the environment, and promptly notify management.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work area in accordance with 5S and housekeeping standards.
Quality & Production Expectations
- Maintain consistent output aligned with departmental productivity standards.
- Minimize rework by adhering to process specifications and visual inspection standards.
- Demonstrate flexibility to rotate stations without compromising efficiency or quality.
- Ensure all products meet Lucchese quality standards and customer expectations.
- Reinforce adherence to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Prevent unauthorized process changes and escalate improvement opportunities through the appropriate approval process.
- Partner with Quality and Manufacturing leadership to investigate root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Continuously identify opportunities to improve processes, workflow, and quality.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to work standing for extended periods of 8-hour shifts.
- Frequent use of hands and wrists for repetitive motions.
- Must be able to lift and push 50 pounds as needed.
- Ability to reach, bend, and perform repetitive production tasks.
- Ability to sit continuously for a minimum of eight – hour shifts.
- Frequent repetitive hand and finger movement.
- Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, and reach above shoulder level.
- Ability to frequently use hands and fingers to handle, grasp, operate tools, equipment, keyboards, and other production-related devices.
- Ability to visually inspect products, equipment, production processes, and workplace conditions, including close and distance.
- Ability to hear and respond to verbal instructions, alarms, and other workplace communications.
- Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and, with or without assistance or mechanical lifting devices, move heavier items as required.
- Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, moving equipment, varying temperatures, noise, dust, and other conditions typical of an industrial setting while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance and work the scheduled hours necessary to meet business and operational requirements.
- Exposure to chemicals like paint thinner, paint, packaging chemicals.
Education, Experience, and/or Certifications:
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent required
- Minimum of two (2) years or related experience in boot manufacturing.
- 5S Workplace Organization and Visual Management Training.