Bottoming Supervisor/ Goodyear Stitcher

Description

Position summary

Own the welt. Operate the Goodyear stitcher and supervise the inseaming, welt attach, sole lay and outsole stitch sequence that defines the product.

Essential functions

• Operate the Goodyear stitcher. Set stitch length, tension, wax temperature and needle for the style and the leather.
• Supervise inseaming, welt attach, sole laying and outsole stitching.
• Verify welt seat, stitch line consistency and channel closure on every lot before it goes to Making.
• Control the shank, filler and cork bed operation to the specification for the last and the style.
• Own the cross-training plan for inseaming. This department cannot be one person deep on that operation.
• Maintain the stitcher: wax pot, needle and awl condition, thread path, and daily preventive checks.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications

• Five or more years in Goodyear welt bottoming, including hands-on Goodyear stitcher operation.
• Able to set up, adjust and maintain a Goodyear stitcher without outside service for routine work.
• Able to trace a welt defect back to inseam, to stitch, or to material.

Physical requirements and work environment

This position works on the production floor. Standing for the full shift on a concrete floor. Occasional lifting up to 40 pounds; frequent lifting up to 20 pounds. Repetitive use of hands, wrists and arms. Exposure to leather dust, adhesive vapor and machine noise. Hearing protection, eye protection and steel-toe footwear are required. Reasonable accommodation is available to qualified individuals with disabilities. Hot wax and heated equipment create a burn risk. Cut-resistant gloves are required at the awl and knife stations.

How performance is measured

Pairs welted per shift. Welt or stitch defects released to Making. Whether inseam coverage is more than one person deep.