Job Title: Knitting Machine Operator
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Department: Manufacturing – Knitting & Weaving
Hours: 6 am-4 pm
Pay rate: 18-20 DOE
As part of the Knitting & Weaving department, the Knitting Machine Operator plays a critical role in producing high-performance fabrics, tapes and coatings to meet exacting customer and industry specifications.
Position Summary
The Knitting Machine Operator is responsible for setting up, operating and maintaining knitting machines to produce warp-knit fabrics or tapes per production orders and quality standards. The operator will monitor machine performance, perform minor adjustments, inspect finished goods, and ensure safe, efficient operation of machinery in alignment with CNF’s quality, safety and production goals.
Key Responsibilities
Set up knitting machines according to production orders (e.g., yarn type, width, pattern, tension, speed).
Load yarns, threads or fibers into machine creels or feeders; thread and prepare the machine for start-up.
Monitor machine operations during run: check speed, yarn tension, stitch formation, pattern engagement, fabric width, and detect any defects or machine malfunctions.
Perform regular machine checks: clean, lubricate, adjust bearings or guides as needed; follow preventative maintenance guidelines.
Stop machines when required, troubleshoot minor faults (e.g., broken yarn, misfeed, pattern error), or escalate to maintenance if major faults.
Inspect fabric or tape coming off the machine: check for defects (missed stitches, holes, yarn breaks, width variation, inclusion of foreign matter), measure width and length, ensure compliance with specifications.
Mark, tag and segregate non-conforming product and follow proper documentation and procedures for rework or scrap.
Maintain production records: machine run times, yarn usage, production counts, downtime reasons, shift logs.
Collaborate with team members in the Knitting/Weaving area, Manufacturing Supervisors, Quality Assurance and Maintenance to meet production targets and quality standards.
Adhere to company safety policies, wearing required PPE (e.g., safety glasses, gloves), follow lock-out/tag-out procedures when servicing machines, maintain a clean and organized work area.
Contribute to continuous improvement efforts: suggest and implement machine/process adjustments that improve yield, reduce waste or increase uptime.
May assist with yarn changeovers, shift hand-overs, training of new operators and other duties as assigned by management.
Qualifications
Required:
High school diploma or GED (or equivalent).
Prior experience operating textile knitting machines or industrial machinery (preferred but not always required).
Mechanical aptitude: ability to understand machine set-ups, adjustments, basic mechanical components and troubleshooting.
Basic math skills (tape measure reading, counts, speeds, widths) and the ability to read work orders and production specifications.
Ability to follow standard operating procedures, pay attention to detail, identify defects and maintain quality.
Good communication skills, ability to work in a team environment and follow directions from Supervisors.
Ability to stand for extended periods, lift/moderate weight (e.g., loading yarn cones), reach overhead, bend and move around the production floor.
Commitment to safety, quality and productivity in a manufacturing setting.
Preferred:
Experience in textile, yarn, woven/knit manufacturing, or familiarity with warp/knit processes.
Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment (noise, moving parts, yarn dust) and able to handle multiple machines or monitor several processes simultaneously.
Basic computer/data entry skills for recording machine logs and production data.
Willingness to work shift schedule if required (early morning, evenings, weekends) based on production demands.
Working Conditions
Manufacturing plant environment: may involve exposure to noise, moving mechanical parts, yarn/fiber dust and industrial ventilation.
PPE (personal protective equipment) required (e.g., safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves).
Shift work may apply; overtime as required by production schedules.
The operator must be safety-conscious, alert and able to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented production environment.
