Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Glove Sewer

🎯 Role Definition

We are hiring a skilled Glove Sewer (also titled Glove Sewing Machine Operator / Seamstress for gloves) to produce protective and consumer handwear in a high-volume manufacturing environment. The Glove Sewer will operate industrial sewing machines (flatbed, cylinder, post-bed), assemble glove components (liner, shell, cuff, palm reinforcements), follow technical patterns and work instructions, and deliver consistent, defect-free product to meet production and quality targets. This role requires close adherence to safety and quality standards (ISO/ANSI/ASTM where applicable), strong machine troubleshooting skills, and the ability to work in a team-focused production line.

Keywords: glove sewer, glove sewing operator, glove production, industrial sewing, leather glove sewing, knit glove assembly, latex/nitrile glove finishing, sewing machine operator.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Sewing Machine Operator (garments, bags, safety wear)
Textile / Knit Machine Technician
Production Assembler or General Manufacturing Operator

Advancement To:

Senior Glove Sewer / Lead Sewing Operator
Sewing Team Supervisor / Production Supervisor
Process Improvement Technician (Lean / Continuous Improvement)
Quality Inspector / Quality Technician

Lateral Moves:

Bench Hand / Trimmer
Cutting Room Operator
Maintenance Technician (sewing equipment)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate and set up industrial sewing machines (flatbed, cylinder, post bed, overlock/serger) to assemble glove components precisely according to technical drawings, patterns and work orders, ensuring consistent stitch quality and seam integrity across every style and material (leather, knit, coated, latex, nitrile).
Inspect incoming glove components (linings, shells, reinforcements, cuffs) and confirm material orientation, grain, and placement prior to sewing to prevent assembly defects and reduce rework.
Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and manufacturing work instructions to produce gloves to specification, including seam allowance, stitch count, topstitching, bartacks, and reinforcement techniques required for protective and specialty gloves.
Perform precise alignment and matching of glove pieces (thumb sets, fingers, gussets, wrist bindings), using templates and jigs when required, to maintain fit, dexterity and ergonomic specifications.
Monitor stitch quality (tension, tension balance, stitch density) and make real-time adjustments to thread tension, presser foot pressure and feed mechanisms to meet product quality standards.
Troubleshoot machine issues (needle breakage, thread breakage, tension inconsistencies, feed problems) and perform first-line fixes such as changing needles, re-threading, and replacing bobbins to minimize downtime.
Complete inline and final visual inspections for defects (missed stitches, skipped stitches, puckering, misaligned seams, loose threads, holes) and perform corrective rework in accordance with quality standards.
Meet daily and weekly production targets while maintaining high quality, documenting output on production trackers or ERP systems and escalating capacity issues to the production lead.
Execute machine changeovers and product set-ups for different glove styles, including thread changes, presser foot swaps, needle selection and tooling adjustments to achieve rapid and accurate runs.
Apply specialized sewing techniques such as welt insertion, binding, zig-zag overlock, flat-felled seams and hand finishing for details and high-end glove styles.
Attach additional components such as elastic wristbands, hook-and-loop closures, pull tabs, touchscreen-compatible tips, or protective overlays as required by job tickets.
Maintain accurate production records including piece counts, defect logs, and time studies for continuous improvement and audit readiness.
Follow workplace safety protocols and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) while operating machines and handling sharp tools and heated adhesive equipment.
Participate in product quality audits and corrective action processes by documenting non-conformances and applying corrective sewing techniques to bring batches back into specification.
Support first article inspections and run pilot lots for new glove designs, ensuring pattern fidelity, fit and stitch performance before full production release.
Train and mentor new sewing operators on glove-specific techniques, equipment set-up, quality expectations and shop floor best practices to raise team competency.
Coordinate with cutting, finishing, and packing teams to ensure smooth material flow, timely fulfillment of production orders and correct labeling/lot tracking.
Apply coatings, adhesives or sealants where required (dipping, bonding, heat sealing) in conjunction with sewing operations, following process and safety instructions.
Conduct routine maintenance and cleaning of machines — lubricating, tightening, and replacing worn parts — and report complex issues to maintenance staff to prevent major stoppages.
Participate in continuous improvement activities (5S, Kaizen events, poka-yoke development) to reduce defects, improve throughput and optimize workstation ergonomics for glove sewing tasks.
Work rotating shifts or flexible schedules as required, supporting overtime and weekend production runs to meet urgent customer orders.

Secondary Functions

Assist inventory and material handlers by reporting low supplies of thread, needles, reinforcing materials and specific glove components to the supervisor to prevent production interruptions.
Complete batch labeling, traceability documentation and basic ERP data entry (production quantities, lot numbers, defect categories) to support quality traceability and compliance.
Support pre-production planning by providing time estimates, machine setup requirements and tooling suggestions for new glove SKUs.
Collaborate with quality and engineering teams on root cause analysis for recurring defects and help test and validate corrective sewing processes.
Participate in cross-training to support adjacent positions such as cutting, trimming, inspection, and packaging during peak demand.
Maintain a clean, safe and organized workstation and participate in daily 5S activities to uphold plant cleanliness and safety standards.
Assist with customer-specific packaging or labeling requirements when needed and help verify final carton counts and included documentation.
Support internal audits (quality, safety, environmental) by providing process knowledge, demonstrating compliance with sewing work instructions and facilitating corrective actions.
Engage in toolbox talks, safety meetings, and skills assessments to continually improve operational awareness and competency.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient operation of industrial sewing machines (flatbed, cylinder-bed, post-bed, overlock/serger) with experience on glove-specific tooling and attachments.
Strong knowledge of stitch types, thread selection, needle sizing, presser foot selection and tensioning for materials such as leather, knit, coated fabrics, latex and nitrile.
Ability to read and interpret technical patterns, spec sheets, work instructions and first-article inspection reports.
Skilled in measuring, aligning and matching glove components to achieve consistent fit and functionality.
Experience performing machine set-ups, changeovers, troubleshooting and routine maintenance (needle replacement, lubrication, tension adjustment).
Defect identification and rework capability for common glove defects (skipped stitches, puckering, seam slippage, loose threads).
Familiarity with finishing processes: trimming, binding, attaching elastics, adding reinforcements and simple heat/adhesive operations.
Basic data entry and production tracking skills using spreadsheets or ERP/WMS for logging piece counts, lot numbers and non-conformance records.
Knowledge of PPE, safety practices and ergonomics related to sewing machine operation.
Basic hand-sewing and finishing skills for details that cannot be completed by machine (hand stitching, back-tacking, glove tips).

Soft Skills

Excellent attention to detail and strong visual inspection capability to detect subtle defects and maintain consistent quality.
Dependable time management and the ability to meet production quotas while prioritizing quality.
Good manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination for small components and precision sewing.
Strong teamwork and communication skills to coordinate with leads, quality, maintenance and packing teams.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to identify root causes and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
Adaptability to work different glove styles, materials and shift patterns as production needs evolve.
Patience and persistence to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining quality standards.
Coachable and willing to learn new sewing techniques, machines and process improvements.
Accountability and a strong ethic for workplace safety, process compliance and documentation.
Customer-focused orientation when responding to order priorities, specific packaging or quality needs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED, or equivalent work experience in manufacturing or sewing.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate or technical training in sewing, textiles, garment construction or industrial sewing machine operation.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Textile Technology
Apparel Manufacturing / Garment Construction
Industrial Sewing / Sewing Machine Maintenance
Quality Assurance / Manufacturing Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5 years of sewing or manufacturing experience; minimum 1 year preferred in glove production or similar small-part garment assembly.

Preferred:

2+ years experience sewing gloves, leather goods or protective wear using industrial sewing equipment, with proven ability to meet quality and production targets.
Experience in safety glove standards, inspection protocols, and working in regulated production environments (medical, industrial PPE, food-safe processes).