The primary purpose of the Sewing Machinist is to sew and finish quality garments according to pattern instructions in a timely and efficient manner.

The position description below is for a Skill Level 2 sewing machinist which would be ideal, however Skill Level 1 and Trainee Machine Operator will also be considered at this time with the intention to train up to Skill Level 2 as soon as practical.

Employment Type                            Casual/Part Time/Full Time

Award and Classification              Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Associated Industries Award 2020

Salary/Wage Rate                            up to General Employee – Skill Level 2

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain sewing machines and related parts, including pattern plates, needles, presser feet, automatic cutting tools and blades
• Read and interpret work orders and adjust machines and materials to match, including selecting fabric, threads, and needles, mounting necessary adjustments and double-checking settings before beginning a run
• Undertake sewing techniques including plain sewing, overlocking, and flat seams, pintucking, hemming, zig-zag, pressing, button-holing, and button sewing as required
• Undertake garment production, the bulk of which will be, but not limited to:
  • Overlocking Jumpers, Beanies and other garments
  • Plain Sewing Zips, Plackets, Neck Tape, Labels etc
  • Bar Tacking
• Inspect and repair finished garments as needed
• Follow record keeping procedures ensuring up to date records
• Maintain a clean and tidy workstation
• Ensure machines are clean and conduct basic machinery maintenance as required
• Report any major maintenance issues as required
• Assist with stocktakes as required
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and training

Customer Service

• Provide all customers with exceptional and friendly service
• Demonstrate clear and prompt communication to all incoming customer enquiries
• Demonstrate a strong knowledge of products and processes to assist customers with their enquiries
• Ensure any customer complaints and feedback are dealt with as per process and escalated if required
• Provide exceptional customer communication, including complaints handling, to ensure customer needs are met

Work Health & Safety

You have a responsibility to:

• Promote and practice safe work habits, identifying and resolving potential hazards operating in a safe manner at all times
• Take reasonable care to ensure your own safety and health, and that of others, and to abide by your duty of care provided for in the legislation. This includes not placing others at risk by any act or omission
• Comply with instructions given for your own safety and health and that of others, in adhering to safe work procedures
• Report any injury, hazard, near miss or illness immediately, to the Director, including following the WH&S policy and incident reporting process

Skills and Attributes

• Exceptional customer service; being friendly and approachable to staff and customers, maintaining an up-to-date product knowledge, ensuring the customer is at the forefront of everything you do
• Exceptional communication skills; communicating effectively with a wide range of people, well developed interpersonal skills, communicating accurate product knowledge, a courteous phone manner
• Being a team player; working effectively and efficiently with fellow team members, working independently as required while remaining focused on team goals and objectives. Participate in staff meetings and training as required.
• Problem Solving; the ability to deal with and resolve issues and unforeseen challenges as they arise including escalating issues to the appropriate team members attention
• Accuracy and attention to detail; performing tasks in an accurate manner, checking and double-checking

This position description is not exhaustive. You may be expected to undertake other relevant duties and responsibilities as reasonably required in the best interests of Interknit, even if inconsistent with the nature of the above-mentioned duties.

Key Selection Criteria

• Previous experience as a commercial sewing machine operator
• Demonstrated proficiency in sewing techniques
• Previous experience in large volume clothing or textiles manufacturing would be advantageous
• Working knowledge of sewing machines including but not limited to plain, zigzag, overlocking, embroidery, linking, hemming, button & button hole, bar tracking, cup seamer, quasar and pom pom
• Ability to read and follow patterns
• High attention to detail and an eye for accuracy
• High levels of customer service skills both face to face and over the telephone
• Ability to meet deadlines whilst working in a busy environment
• Ability and willingness to learn new techniques and skills
• Ability to work unsupervised as well as in a team environment
• An understanding and commitment to ensuring a safe work environment
• Intermediate computer skills, including the use of a range of Microsoft Office software
• Physically fit and able; the ability to perform manual labour tasks

Employment Conditions

This work can be demanding and requires you to be physically fit and healthy. The working conditions at Interknit and nature of the tasks required to be performed may require you to:

• Sit and stand for long periods of time
• Lift items up to 30kg on a regular basis
• Regularly perform manual labour tasks
• Work in hot and cold conditions
• Work in a noisy environment

Employment Type                           Casual/Part Time/Full Time (negotiated with suitable applicant)

Award and Classification              Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Associated Industries Award 2020

Salary/Wage Rate                            General Employee – Skill Level 3 (will consider Skill Level 4 or higher for suitably qualified applicant)

The primary purpose of the Cutter is to draw and cut garments as per measurements in a timely and efficient manner.

Responsibilities

• Cut templates to size using both electric cutter and by hand
• Draw and cut garments as per measurements
• Ensure up to date quality and production records are maintained
• Recommend solutions for errors or quality issues
• Clean and maintain machines in excellent working condition
• Attend to machine breakdowns, notifying management of major equipment faults
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and training

Customer Service

• Provide all customers with exceptional and friendly service
• Demonstrate clear and prompt communication to all incoming customer enquiries
• Demonstrate a strong knowledge of product knowledge to assist customers with their enquiries
• Ensure any customer complaints and feedback are dealt with as per process and escalated if required
• Provide exceptional customer communication, including complaints, to ensure customer needs are met

Work Health & Safety

You have a responsibility to:

• Promote and practice safe work habits, identifying and resolving potential hazards operating in a safe manner at all times
• Take reasonable care to ensure your own safety and health, and that of others, and to abide by your duty of care provided for in the legislation. This includes not placing others at risk by any act or omission
• Comply with instructions given for your own safety and health and that of others, in adhering to safe work procedures
• Report any injury, hazard, near miss or illness immediately, to the Director, including following the WH&S policy and incident reporting process

Skills and Attributes

• Exceptional customer service; being friendly and approachable to staff and customers, maintaining an up-to-date product knowledge, ensuring the customer is at the forefront of everything you do
• Exceptional communication skills; communicating effectively with a wide range of people, well developed interpersonal skills, communicating accurate product knowledge, a courteous phone manner
• Being a team player; working effectively and efficiently with fellow team members, working independently as required while remaining focused on team goals and objectives. Participate in staff meetings and training as required.
• Problem Solving; the ability to deal with and resolve issues and unforeseen challenges as they arise
• Accuracy and attention to detail; performing tasks in an accurate manner, checking and double-checking

This position description is not exhaustive. You may be expected to undertake other relevant duties and responsibilities as reasonably required in the best interests of Interknit, even if inconsistent with the nature of the above-mentioned duties.

Key Selection Criteria

• Previous knowledge in large volume clothing or textiles manufacturing is essential
• Previous experience as a sewing operator
• Understanding of most sewing techniques including straight sewing, overlocking, French and flat seams, pintucking, hemming, pressing and buttonholing
• Efficient in all areas of garment production
• Proven ability to coach, motivate and develop individuals
• Ability to read and follow patterns
• High attention to detail and an eye for accuracy
• Demonstrated experience to carry out quality assurance checks
• Have an ability to provide high level customer service and build strong relationships
• High levels of customer service skills both face to face and over the telephone
• Ability to meet deadlines whilst working in a busy environment
• Ability and willingness to learn new techniques and skills
• Ability to work unsupervised as well as in a team environment
• An understanding and commitment to ensuring a safe work environment
• Intermediate computer skills, including the use of a range of Microsoft Office software
• Physically fit and able; the ability to perform manual labour tasks

Certificates (desireable)

• Cert III or IV in Applied Fashion Design & Technology or equivalent highly regarded
• Experience which would be recognised as RPLs, or demonstrated experience of proficiency to meet the requirements at this level would also be considered
• Stoll accredited courses including CMS Knitting Basics; CMS Handling & Knitting; M1 Handling & Pattern Design; Fully Fashion & Special

Employment Conditions

This work can be demanding and requires you to be physically fit and healthy. The working conditions at Interknit Branberry and nature of the tasks required to be performed may require you to:

• Sit and stand for long periods of time
• Lift items up to 30kg on a regular basis
• Regularly perform manual labour tasks
• Work in hot and cold conditions
• Work in a noisy environment

Interknit Branberry pay award wages according to the Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Associated Industries Award 2020 for production staff. This wage chart is indexed annually and provided publically online at the above link.

Administration, Retail (including trainee opportunities) and Management positions are covered by the General Retail Industry Award 2020, which is also available publically online at the above link.

Wages are dispersed weekly on a Wednesday for hours worked on the Wednesday to Tuesday immediately previous.

Please drop your resume and cover letter in person to Interknit Branberry at 1004 Humffray St South, Mount Pleasant VIC 3350.

Ensure you have a current phone number and email contact on your resume.

If you do not live locally, please phone our office during business hours to be provided with an email address to send your application through to.

Interknit encourages suitably qualified appplicants with disabilities (physical or other) to apply as accommodations can usually be made.