Process Operative (Drawing-In)

We are looking for a Process Operative to join our Weaving department.

About us

Heathcoat Fabrics is a previous  winner of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation. As part of our team, you will contribute to some of the most innovative technical fabric-making projects in the world. We are committed to ensuring our people have the skills and confidence to excel in their field, providing ongoing development opportunities that enable individuals to progress at all levels.

Our market-leading engineered textiles keep emergency services crews safe, help renewable energy industries combat climate change, protect our armed forces, safeguard the environment, enhance the lifespan and efficiency of road, rail and air transport, and even safely deliver a soft landing on distant planets.

The Role

To supply the Weaving Department with a constant supply of quality drawn-in warps by hand or machine, ensuring all ends are correctly drawn in and warps are ready for loom transfer, in accordance with departmental procedures and production requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for drawing-in all relevant fabric types, including but not limited to warp stretch, parachute, Synchrotec and development warps.
•  Keep rework for Weaving to a minimum and ensure drawn-in warps are left ready for Weaving with all ends in.
•  Responsible for completing system records accurately, including recording jobs and issues on spreadsheets and carrying out relevant Epicor transactions.
•  Meet all safety, quality and quantity requirements.
•  Report all health and safety issues to the line manager, including near misses, property damage and injuries.
•  Read, understand and comply with all departmental Risk Assessments (RAs).
•  Work to the relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at all times.
•  Ensure 5S is followed and maintained within the work area.
•  Ensure all parts selected for each job, including shafts and droppers, are in good and usable condition. Escalating matters to management if there are any issues.
•  Work in a lean manner, maintaining smooth flow of work and keeping indirect labour hours to a minimum.
•  Responsible for ensuring a safe, efficient and reliable drawing-in process.
•  Complete inside-cycle work before the current job is completed, including but not limited to preparing the next job, collecting materials and sealing/completing rework on the previous job.
•  Contribute to continuous improvement activities within the department as required.
• Take ownership of own learning and progression and assist with the learning and development of new starters when required.
• Responsible for carrying out the set up and threading of Leno shafts and hand-thread warps.
• Load and programme warp types into the machine.
• Change drawing-in machine modules to meet different product requirements.
• Carry out the routine weekly clean-downs on the drawing-in machine.
• Provide basic system support within the department when required, including assisting with problem solving.
• Contribute to improving machine performance and production efficiency.
• Assist with other areas of the department when required. • Independently operate the drawing-in machine and complete all standard drawing-in activities in accordance with departmental procedures.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Departmental training and demonstrated competence in standard drawing-in activities.
• Ability to follow SOPs and Risk Assessments, attention to quality and detail, ability to complete associated records and system transactions accurately.
• Experience of different fabric types, drawing in or hand threading. Working within a manufacturing/production environment.

Shift Pattern

37.5 hours per week – Monday to Friday 14:00-22:00

Take this chance to grow, learn, and make an impact, apply now and take the next step in your career.

By joining us as a Process Operative, you’ll become part of a purpose-driven company and an employer of choice, committed to building a world-class technical textiles business in a sustainable manufacturing environment. Apply today and play a pivotal role in the production of our pioneering products.

Reference: REC/290 (please quote this on all applications and correspondence)

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