Knitter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title:  Knitter

SUMMARY

Under the direction of the KWW Department Manager and as part of the Kenansville floor management team, the role will have full responsibility for internal quality and production targets. You will lead, manage, and develop the KWW team at Lear Kenansville, ensuring all internal and external requirements are met. Skills will be acquired through on the job training, review of SOPs, and working through daily responsibilities and challenges. Keeps a number of warps knitting machines in constant operation. Hook-type threader, back bar threader, scissors, sewing needles, thread, paint marker and single yarn winder.

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

This is a representative sample -- not to imply a complete listing of all responsibilities and tasks.

• Follow all safety standards while ensuring your team follows all safety standards.

• Achieve stated results by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; initiating, coordinating, and enforcing systems, policies, and procedures.
• Continuous Improvement - eliminating waste from the process in all its forms to improve Safety; Quality, Cost (raw material usage, labor, energy) and machine overall efficiency (downtime analysis).
• Maintain workflow by monitoring steps of the process; setting processing variables; observing control points and equipment; monitoring personnel and resources; studying methods; implementing cost reductions; developing reporting procedures and systems; facilitating corrections to malfunctions within process control points; initiating and fostering a spirit of cooperation within and between departments.
• Complete production plan on time and to target, by scheduling and assigning personnel; establishing priorities; monitoring progress; revising schedules; resolving problems; reporting results of the processing flow on shift production summaries.
• Work with the Launch/Product Engineering team to ensure all new product meet internal and external customer requirements.
• Ensure all product changes are controlled effectively through the engineering change process or deviation.
• Maintains quality by establishing and enforcing organizational standards. Has the authority to stop processing if the material quality is not to standard. Teach and enforce Stop-Call-Wait.
• Ensures operation of equipment by calling for repairs, evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Provides manufacturing information by compiling, initiating, sorting, and analyzing production performance records and data, answering questions, and responding to requests.
• Create/revise systems and procedures by analyzing operating practices, record-keeping systems, forms of control, and budgetary and personnel requirements, implementing change through deviation or ECR.
• Maintains safe and clean work environment by educating and directing personnel on the use of all control points, equipment, and resources, maintaining compliance with established policies and procedures (Safety, Quality and 5S).
• Regular involvement with the Safety & IATF Coordinator(s) to meet the requirements of the safety program (risk assessments, audits, LPAs, & etc.) and reporting identified issues appropriately.
• Responsible for completing and achieving effective Accident/Incident investigations.
• Maintains staff by selecting, training, and mentoring employees.
• Management of Production personnel, schedule and communicating updates to supporting team members (QC, Mechanical Support, and Purchasing)
• Maintain professional and technical.
• Drive & promote Kaizens through the team, support and drive all department six sigma/lean initiatives.
• Any additional ad-hoc duties, in line with role and company policies and procedures.
• Complete knowledge and understanding of Dyeing specifications and ensure adherence.
• Complete knowledge and understanding of the product boundaries and Finishing equipment.

• Maintain accurate, legible audit data. Complete all forms according to procedures.
• Segregate any product that does not meet specification.
• Report any deviations from specification to the Senior Quality/Process Engineer and Department manager in a timely manner.
• Organize and direct strike offs and the usage of Carton Req(s).
• Follow directions provided in work instructions.

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. checks the front and back of the assigned machines to ascertain the nature of any running problems at the beginning of the shift and, continuously during the shift. Monitors the operation of the knitting machines for fabric defects not noticed by the scanner. Stop the machine when a defect is noticed. the knitter goes to the machine and determines the reason for the defect. if the defect is due to the yarn problems, the knitter repairs and restarts the machine. the knitter stitches the ends of any run in the fabric to prevent unraveling. if the knitter cannot repair the defect, he or she calls the fixer. after the defect is repaired, the knitter restarts the machine and enters the reason for the machine stop. Standard performance (within a 12-mo. training period) requires the operator to run at least 18 machines efficiently (2 bars @ 90% and 3 & 4 bars @ 85%). Enter required data, to include defect count and yardage, to the greige roll ticket. stops the machine at the required number of racks. Calls the warp changer to remove the full roll, place a new shaft in the let-off, and ties the new cloth end to the shaft and notes level of yarn on the warps.

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Understanding of textile manufacturing methods and defects
• Problem solving skills with an in-depth knowledge of 8D and Practical Problem Solving (PPS).
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• PC skills to include MS Excel/Word, PowerPoint, and Basics.
• Understanding of Lean improvement methods - Standardized work, 5S, SMED, 7 forms of waste, visual management, and Andon.
• KWW Operations - Ability to set up, thread and operate Knit/weaving machines & warpers.

ABILITY TO

• Read, write, and speak and understand in English, to interpret documents such as specifications, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, reports, business correspondence, regulatory and procedure manuals.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with co-workers, Supervisors and Managements. Work independently with little or no supervision and be a team player.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Meet behaviors established in Company performance management and development process.
• Effectively organize, set priorities, schedule assigned work; oversee multiple and rapidly changing priorities.
• Pay attention to detail.
• Effectively execute tasks.
• Ability to coach and develop associates in continuous improvement methods.
• Ability to implement change Principles and practices of effective business communication; basic report writing methods and techniques; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Managing teams
• Project a strong, confident presence
• The ability to guide and influence others

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and six months to one-year position-related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Skilled knowledge or direct experience in Dye and/or Finishing processes is a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Required physical demands are as follows:

• Frequent hand, finger, and wrist movement to handle or feel objects, tools or controls.

• Requires standing (100%) and walking (10%).

• The employee frequently is required to talk, listen/use hearing, stand, walk, stoop, kneel or crouch, and/or use repetitive hand motions.

• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance.

• Constantly lift up to 10 pounds, may frequently lift up to 20 pounds, and occasionally lifts up to 50 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Constantly work under tight time constraints.
• Occasionally work mandatory overtime.

• May occasionally have exposures to extreme wet and/or humid conditions, heat/cold temperatures, and loud machine/equipment.

• The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration, fumes, or airborne particles.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Required during production duties:

• Eye protection

• Hearing Protection

• Steel toe/ Non-Slip shoes

• Reflective Vest (where applicable)

NOTICE

The above job profile does not include all essential and nonessential duties of this job. Other job duties may be assigned as needed. All employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Human Resources Department to review and discuss the essential and nonessential functions of the job. The employee with a disability can evaluate the job in greater detail to determine if she/he can safely perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

DISCLAIMER

Job profiles are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, tasks, skills, efforts, working conditions or similar behaviors, attributes or requirements associated with a job. A job profile is not a comprehensive job description. It is intended for the sole purpose of acquainting a person who is unfamiliar with such position with a brief overview of the position's general direction and scope.

(COMPANY) is an EEO/Affirmative Action employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status in accordance with law.