Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Textile Spinner
💰 $33,000 - $54,000 Annually
🎯 Role Definition
This role requires a diligent and skilled Textile Spinner to join our dynamic production team. In this pivotal role, you will be the artisan at the heart of our yarn manufacturing process, transforming raw fiber into high-quality yarn. The ideal candidate is a hands-on professional with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to operational excellence. You will be responsible for the setup, operation, and maintenance of state-of-the-art spinning frames, ensuring our products meet stringent quality standards and production targets. If you are passionate about textile production and thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, we invite you to spin your career forward with us.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Production Assistant
- Textile Machine Operator Trainee
- Mill Worker / General Labor
Advancement To:
- Lead Spinner / Head Spinner
- Spinning Shift Supervisor
- Quality Control Technician
- Production Manager
Lateral Moves:
- Weaving Technician
- Knitting Machine Operator
- Dye House Operator
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Operate and tend to multiple open-end, ring, or air-jet/vortex spinning frames to efficiently twist and wind raw fiber into finished yarn.
- Patrol an assigned set of machines on a continuous basis to visually inspect for and immediately address any operational issues or potential malfunctions.
- Expertly identify and repair yarn breaks by locating the broken ends and skillfully splicing or piecing them together to minimize machine downtime and waste.
- Perform the doffing process by removing full bobbins, packages, or cones of yarn from the spinning frames and replacing them with empty ones in a timely manner.
- Load raw material, such as cans of sliver or roving bobbins, onto the creel of the spinning machine to ensure a continuous and uninterrupted supply of fiber.
- Monitor machine indicator lights, digital displays, and control panels to quickly respond to stops, malfunctions, or quality alerts flagged by the system.
- Conduct regular, systematic quality control checks on the yarn being produced, inspecting for slubs, neps, thick/thin spots, and other defects against quality standards.
- Adjust machine settings, such as speed, twist, and tension, according to production run specifications for different yarn counts and material types.
- Perform routine and scheduled cleaning of the spinning machinery, including removing lint, dust, and fiber waste from rollers, guides, and spindles to prevent defects and fire hazards.
- Execute machine startups and shutdowns following established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure equipment safety and operational longevity.
- Replace worn or broken consumable components such as travelers, rings, aprons, and cots as part of routine preventative maintenance schedules.
- Accurately record production data, including machine efficiency, downtime, waste levels, and quantity of yarn produced, on production logs or into a manufacturing execution system (MES).
- Transport full doff boxes, carts, or pallets of yarn to the next stage of production, such as winding or warehousing, using manual or powered material handling equipment.
- Collaborate with maintenance technicians by clearly and accurately describing machine malfunctions to facilitate quicker and more effective troubleshooting and repairs.
- Strictly adhere to all company and OSHA safety policies and procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like earplugs, safety glasses, and gloves.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area around the spinning frames to ensure an efficient and hazard-free production environment for the entire team.
- Assist in the on-the-job training and mentoring of new or less-experienced spinning operators on machine operation, safety protocols, and quality standards.
- Monitor and manage waste collection systems, ensuring that fiber waste is properly segregated, collected, and disposed of according to company guidelines.
- Perform basic mechanical troubleshooting to resolve common machine stoppages, such as tangled yarn or minor material jams, without needing to call maintenance.
- Communicate effectively with shift supervisors, fellow operators, and quality control personnel regarding production status, quality issues, and machine performance.
- Handle yarn packages and bobbins carefully to prevent damage, soiling, or tangling before they move to the next process or to the customer.
- Verify that the correct roving or sliver lot is being used for the specific yarn order being produced to prevent material mix-ups and ensure lot traceability.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Spinning Machine Operation: Proficiency in operating modern spinning equipment (e.g., Ring, Open-End, Murata Vortex).
- Yarn End Piecing & Splicing: Skillful and quick repair of broken yarn ends to maintain machine efficiency.
- Doffing and Donning: Efficiently removing full yarn packages and replacing them with empty bobbins/cones.
- Machine Threading & Setup: Ability to properly thread yarn paths and perform basic setup for new production runs.
- Basic Mechanical Troubleshooting: Identifying and resolving minor machine issues to reduce downtime.
- Quality Inspection of Yarn: Ability to visually and physically identify common yarn defects like slubs, neps, and inconsistencies.
- Knowledge of Fiber Properties: Familiarity with the characteristics of different fibers such as cotton, polyester, rayon, and blends.
- Reading Production Orders: Ability to interpret technical specifications, yarn counts, and production targets from work orders.
Soft Skills
- Exceptional Attention to Detail: Critical for spotting subtle yarn defects and monitoring machine performance.
- Manual Dexterity & Hand-Eye Coordination: Essential for quick and precise tasks like piecing up ends and threading machines.
- Physical Stamina: Ability to stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods in a manufacturing environment.
- Problem-Solving Acumen: The capacity to quickly diagnose and react to machine stoppages or quality deviations.
- Strong Work Ethic & Reliability: A commitment to consistent attendance, performance, and meeting production goals.
- Safety-First Mindset: A constant awareness of the work environment and adherence to all safety protocols.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- High School Diploma or GED.
Preferred Education:
- Vocational or Technical Certificate in Textile Technology or a related field.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Textile Manufacturing
- Industrial Machine Operation
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
- 1-3 years of experience in a textile manufacturing or machine-centric production environment.
Preferred:
- 2+ years of hands-on experience as a Textile Spinner, with direct responsibility for operating modern ring, open-end, or vortex spinning frames.