The role of the Machine Operator involves managing a group of computerized circular knitting machines to ensure they consistently produce high-quality products. This position requires strong mechanical and troubleshooting skills, team leadership, and dedication to maintaining efficiency, safety, and quality control on the knitting floor.
Responsibilities
Production/Maintenance
- Maintain a group of computerized circular knitting machines, ensuring they are producing high-quality products at all times.
- Manage all knitting machines safely and efficiently.
- Replace consumable spares on the machinery.
- Troubleshoot and repair all aspects of circular knitting machines.
- Manage a team of attendants, ensuring they follow protocol and procedures.
- Coordinate and cooperate with other team members to plan production schedules on machines (usually provided by HOD/Engineers) and ensure prompt delivery of orders.
- Train new attendants alongside the QC HOD to ensure they are aware of their required duties.
- Required to change and load different programs on the machines.
- Must understand different types of stitches and faults on socks with a view to rectify them.
- Should understand the different types of raw materials used (training will be provided) and assess whether they will be able to produce a quality product.
- Take styles and designs from concept to prototypes and production-ready styles, using the appropriate yarns and raw materials to achieve both the visual and functional goals from the design team.
Quality Control
- Ensure product falls within quality parameters set out by the company. Work on production-related issues (size changes, size checks, style changes, etc.).
- Frequently examine finished products for defects and variations, reporting faults in machines, and carrying out quality control procedures.
- Ensure that all socks knitted meet the quality parameters set out by the company.
- Liaise with Quality Control (QC) to ensure that all products/machines that do not meet quality standards are worked on/rectified.
- Responsible for quality control on the Knitting floor. Must be able to maintain or exceed the company’s level of quality expectations.
- Ensure raw materials are correctly fed to the machine (location and through the correct feeders).
Record Keeping and Communication
- Prepare daily production reports (indicating team attendance, daily output (dozens of socks), waste, and spare part consumption).
- Maintain a log of all downtime on all machines.
- Keep a tidy and safe work environment in accordance with company policies and regulations.
- Abide by all safety protocols and guidelines to avoid accidents and injuries.
- Consistently provide updates on machinery through the relevant channels to HOD, engineers, and management.
Job Requirements
Qualification: BA/BSc/HND qualification is generally desired, though a High school degree or equivalent is the minimum requirement.
General Requirements:
- Strong mechanical aptitude and ability.
- Strong trouble shooting and repair skills.
- Good interpersonal skills and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong analytical skills with great attention to detail.
- Good communication skills.
- Experience with circular knitting and hosiery development (or any knitting machinery) is a plus, but the company will train the right applicant in all facets of computerized knitting machine repair, operation, and product development.
- Ability to lead a team to meet certain objectives with a positive attitude.
- Attendance is an essential function of the position.
- Ability to stand for long periods of time (8-10 hours per day).
- Ability to read and write English.
Physical Demands
The machine operator is required to stand for long periods of time, lift heavy machinery parts, and operate machinery for extended periods of time. The job may require bending, stooping, and reaching to complete tasks. The noise level is medium to low due to knitting machines running.
