Job Overview:
The Sewing Machine Operator is responsible for producing high-quality stitched materials such as fabric, leather, and vinyl for the manufacture of seating products. This role involves operating industrial sewing machines (single needle or serging) to assemble components accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with safety and quality standards.
Responsibilities:
- Retrieve required materials from the conveyor line or designated area and bring them to the workstation.
- Inspect fabric or components for visible defects and remove any non-conforming pieces before sewing.
- Position and align material pieces accurately on the sewing surface, sometimes over foam padding as required.
- Insert the material into the sewing machine work area and operate the machine using a foot pedal (treadle).
- Guide materials under the needle during sewing; the machine feeds the material automatically with no force required.
- Use the thread cutter and manually trim any excess or loose threads from finished pieces.
- Place completed work pieces on the conveyor or designated collection area only when quality standards are met.
- Remove finished items from the machine and set them aside for pickup by others when applicable.
- Re-thread the machine when thread breaks or when changing spools. Spool changes may occur every few hours or every two days depending on the material type (approximate spool weight: 5 lbs).
- Ensure proper working order of the sewing machine and changing needles when required.
- Sew zippers and Velcro features as required.
- Housekeeping – keeping own work area neat and tidy
Qualifications:
- High school education.
- Minimum 1–2 years of experience operating industrial or commercial sewing machines in a manufacturing or upholstery environment (training may be provided for entry-level candidates with aptitude).
- Ability to follow production instructions, quality standards, and safety procedures.
- Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity for guiding materials and trimming threads.
- Basic understanding of machine threading, troubleshooting minor issues, and changing spools.
- Ability to stand or sit for extended periods and handle light material handling tasks (up to 5 lbs).
- Attention to detail and ability to identify and remove defective pieces.
- Strong work ethic, reliability, and ability to work in a fast-paced production setting.
- English is required
Core Competencies:
- Attention to Detail: Ensures precision in stitching and fabric alignment.
- Manual Dexterity: Skilled use of hands and feet for fine motor control and operation of sewing equipment.
- Quality Focus: Commitment to producing defect-free products that meet specifications.
- Adaptability: Able to work on various products and adjust to changing production demands.
- Safety Awareness: Recognizes and mitigates potential hazards in the work environment.
Physical Job Demand:
- Sitting: Majority of the work performed while seated; ergonomic seating provided.
- Lifting/Carrying: Occasional lifting of materials weighing 1–2 lbs; occasional lifting of spools up to 5 lbs.
- Pushing/Pulling: Minimal; some bilateral pulling when handling larger materials (seat pans/backrests).
- Overhead Activity: Periodic placement or retrieval of materials from conveyor lines at or above shoulder height.
- Cognitive and Perceptual Demands: Continuous focus, depth perception, and hand-eye coordination required to maintain stitching accuracy and avoid needle-related injuries.
Repetitive Movements:
- Frequent use of hands, feet, and arms for sewing machine operation and material handling.
Cognitive Demands:
- Continuous attention to detail, including ensuring that orientation of patterned fabrics is correct, and that stitching is performed correctly
- Requirement to indentify flaws in the work piece as received and incorrectly processed work pieces.
- Avoid being struck in a hand by an operating needle.
Chemical Exposure:
Environmental Exposure:
- Well lit, heated in winter.
- Noise from other sewing machines and cutting tables/CNCs (8 hr twa measured as less than 85dBA)
- Works in close proximity to others but independently for the most part.
Operating Motorized Vehicle
Use of PPE:
- Safety Classes.
- Safety Shoes.
Restrictions Related to Medications (Specify):
- Must be free from all recreational substances including alcohol.
- Any medication hindering ability to perform any one task restricted.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Fixed term contract
Pay: $18.50-$22.00 per hour
Ability to commute/relocate:
- North York, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person
