Job Summary:

The purpose of the Tufting Machine Operator is to safely run tufting machines efficiently as possible to produce first quality carpet.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Follow all safety procedures and company policies.
• Know and perform creeler tasks when machine is down.
• Visually inspect carpet at machine and in the floor for any and all visual defects.
• Correct any and all visual defects and/or notify Supervisor for direction.
• Keep machine running whenever possible never bypassing safety or quality.
• Keep machine threaded and threaded straight between header and through needles.
• Remove and replace hooks and blade blocks as needed.
• Keep blade blocks jigged with sharp blades by using the jig specified for each machine.
• Start and doff rolls as needed.
• Change backing as needed.
• Accurately record production and downtime on machine report including style, color, yarn lots, roll numbers, roll lengths, backing roll numbers, and any supplemental information as needed.
• Accurately record length on correct roll tickets and attach them to correct rolls using plastic fasteners.
• Write roll number and roll length on the selvage of all WIP rolls.
• Clean, sweep, and/or blow down work area keeping the area around the machine clean.
• Blow lint out of machine at least once per shift.

Performance Expectations (if applicable):

• On feet over 90% of shift moving up and down stairs and around the machine and creel area.
• Must be able to crouch down and stand to reach posts and tubes of creel rack ranging from 1' to 6.5' high.
• Must be able to crouch and bend to knees and crawl under tufting machine to exchange parts.
• Must be able to exert enough force with hands and arms to pull blade blocks out of the machine and push them back in (approximately 10 pounds of pressure).
• Must be able to lift and place cores weighing no more than 40 pounds in the machine roll up.
• Must be able to push with another team member rolls of backing weighing up to 1900 pounds on a backing cart around the machine for a backing change.
• Must be able to manually lift and control packages of yarn that weight up to 12 pounds.
• Must be able to push yarn dollies/carts loaded with yarn through the creel and to shrink wrap machine (maximum weight of 450 pounds).
• Must be able to read, write, and perform general math skills.
• Must possess enough dexterity in hands and fingers to thread yarn through needles and tie knots in the yarn.

Experience/Education Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Must be able to read, write and do basic addition, subtraction, division and multiplication.
• Computer knowledge or data entry skills are a necessary part of the job but will train.

Other Requirements:

• Overtime is required on occasion.
• All accidents must be reported immediately.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.
• Safety equipment must be worn as required.
• Report to management any quality, safety, or potential problems encountered while performing the job.
• Responsible for quality and safety of his/her own output.