Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Fabric Folding Operator

🎯 Role Definition

As a Fabric Folding Operator, you are a vital part of our production team, ensuring that our high-quality textiles are processed with precision and care. You will be responsible for operating and maintaining specialized folding machinery, transforming large rolls of fabric into perfectly folded, inspected, and packaged goods ready for the next stage of manufacturing or direct shipment to our clients. Your attention to detail and commitment to quality are critical in upholding our reputation for excellence. This role requires a hands-on approach, a strong work ethic, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced production environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate
General Laborer
Production Assistant

Advancement To:

Lead Fabric Operator
Production Supervisor
Quality Control Inspector

Lateral Moves:

Machine Operator (Cutting, Spreading, or Sewing)
Inventory Control Clerk

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate and monitor automatic and semi-automatic fabric folding machines to ensure a continuous, efficient, and safe production flow.
Accurately feed large rolls of various textile materials onto the machine, ensuring proper alignment, tension, and positioning to prevent folding errors and material waste.
Conduct thorough visual inspections of fabric before, during, and after the folding process to identify, flag, and document any material with defects such as tears, snags, stains, or weaving inconsistencies.
Precisely measure, and if required, cut folded fabric sections to meet the exact length, width, and quantity specifications outlined in customer work orders and production sheets.
Adjust machine settings, including speed, tension, folding plates, and sensor positions, to accommodate different fabric weights, textures, and types to achieve desired finished product standards.
Carefully package, label, and stack finished, folded fabric bundles, ensuring they are correctly identified with product information and prepared for shipping or internal transfer to other departments.
Meticulously read and interpret work orders, production schedules, and specification sheets to determine job requirements, including fabric type, color, lot number, and quantity.
Perform routine and preventative maintenance on folding machinery, such as cleaning machine surfaces, lubricating moving parts, and clearing jams, to minimize downtime and extend equipment life.
Maintain accurate and detailed daily production records, logging output quantities, job numbers, runtime, downtime, and any quality control issues for reporting and inventory purposes.
Proactively communicate with shift supervisors, maintenance staff, and team leads regarding equipment malfunctions, material shortages, or any issues that could impact production timelines.
Safely handle and transport heavy fabric rolls using manual or powered equipment like pallet jacks or roll lifters, adhering to all company material handling procedures and safety protocols.
Consistently ensure that all finished products meet the company's stringent quality standards and client-specific requirements for fold type, dimensions, and packaging.
Troubleshoot minor operational problems with the folding equipment, making small adjustments to correct issues and maintain a consistent and efficient production pace.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work station and surrounding area, complying with all company 5S, safety, and OSHA regulations.
li>Collaborate effectively with other production team members, including material handlers, cutters, and quality inspectors, to ensure a smooth and efficient end-to-end workflow.
Assist in the loading and unloading of raw fabric materials from delivery trucks and staging them in the appropriate storage or production areas.
Participate in periodic physical inventory counts, helping to track raw materials and finished goods to ensure accurate stock levels and records.
Set up folding machines for new production runs, which may include changing out guides, rollers, or other components as required for a specific job.
Verify that the correct fabric type, color, and lot number are being used for each production run to prevent costly errors and ensure product consistency.
Segregate and properly document defective or scrap material according to established quality control procedures to prevent its use in final products and to assist in root cause analysis.

Secondary Functions

Support other departments, such as cutting or shipping, during peak times or when primary duties are complete to ensure overall plant productivity.
Contribute to team meetings by providing feedback on production processes, safety concerns, and potential workflow improvements.
Assist in the on-the-job training of new operators on machine operation, safety protocols, and quality standards.
Participate actively in company-wide safety programs, drills, and ongoing training sessions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Machine Operation: Proven ability to operate, monitor, and perform basic setup of industrial manufacturing machinery, preferably in a textile or similar environment.
Quality Control Inspection: A keen eye for detail to visually inspect fabrics for defects, color inconsistencies, and other quality issues.
Knowledge of Textiles: Familiarity with different types of fabrics, their characteristics, and how they behave during machine processing.
Basic Machine Maintenance: Ability to perform routine cleaning, lubrication, and minor troubleshooting on production equipment.
Reading Work Orders: Competency in reading and accurately interpreting technical specifications, production schedules, and job orders.
Material Handling: Experience safely operating manual pallet jacks or other material handling equipment to move heavy rolls or pallets.
Measurement & Basic Math: Proficiency in using measuring tapes and performing basic arithmetic to ensure product dimensions are accurate.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in all aspects of work, from machine setup to final quality checks.
Physical Stamina & Dexterity: Ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and use hands and arms in a repetitive motion.
Time Management: Skilled at managing workload and prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced environment to meet production deadlines.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with colleagues and supervisors to achieve common goals.
Problem-Solving: Proactive in identifying issues and resourcefully finding solutions to minor operational challenges.
Reliability & Strong Work Ethic: Dependable, punctual, and committed to performing duties to a high standard.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Vocational or technical certificate in manufacturing technology or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Manufacturing Production
Textile Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-2 years of experience in a manufacturing, warehouse, or production environment.

Preferred:

1+ years of direct experience as a folding machine operator or in a textile/garment production facility is highly desirable.