Lean Knitting Production Manager

CreateMe is a research and development company at the intersection of automation, apparel, and customization — driving on-demand manufacturing, at speed and scale. We’re breaking down barriers through trailblazing, frictionless technology that provides an end-to-end solution that is set to revolutionize individualism. 

We’re based in New York City’s Soho neighborhood with a factory in Brooklyn and a manufacturing R&D lab in San Francisco's Dogpatch neighborhood.

About the Role: 

You will oversee factory production across knitting, post-knit finishing and fulfillment to ensure processes, machines and staff to meet quality standards and safety standards and products ship on time.  

You will manage the knitting and post knitting production modules. You manage the day-to-day knitting production modules, track employee performance, plan and execution of production schedules, achieve projected production efficiencies, on time orders delivery, ensure product quality and development and approvals of samples.

Additional Responsibilities: 

• Oversee the entire knitting production from planning of production work orders to shipping to customers
• Accountable for weekly/daily production and capacity planning
• Apply Lean Manufacturing Tools to ensure established KPIs (efficiency, AQL, on time deliveries, material consumption, etc.) are being met
• Work with Lean Process Engineers to develop and maintain Continuous Process Improvements in all areas
• Capable of troubleshooting production and personnel issues
• Responsible for cross-training personnel across all jobs
• Ensure that the Company Environmental Health & Safety programs are fully implemented and followed by the personnel
• Coordinate with the production team, factory staff,  sales team, account management team on operations and production planning and delivery
• Ensure and track production orders all the way through from scheduled, knit, washed, steamed, labeled, packaged, and shipped
• Organize staffing shifts and oversee staggered production hours
• Oversee the screening and training of new factory workers (finishers, sewers, fulfillment etc.)
• Collaborate on QC standards - establish and execute quality control processes in machine knitting and post knit production
• Maintain yarn to ensure storage safety, track quantities and rotate cones for production
• Analyze production data to identify and resolve any production issues
• Optimize production for efficiency and cost savings
• Prepare production reports
• Regularly inspect knit products and finished products to determine whether they meet established quality standards
•  Make adjustments to knitting machines as needed and/or coordinate with the team to make knit program updates to ensure successful knitting
• Motivate factory workers to continually achieve factory targets
• Keep factory clean and organized

Requirements: 

• Experience overseeing sampling and production across a minimum of 8 machines
• Understand knitwear sampling, grading and production process of wholegarment and fully fashioned production
• Strong verbal communication skills and organizational skills
• Team player
• Willingness to work flexible hours based on factory shift coverage
• Experience implementing, overseeing, and enforcing Quality Control and Safety Standards
• Minimum of 3 years of proven experience and understanding running computerized flat – bed knitting and post knitting manufacturing of apparel garments
• Good operational knowledge of Shima Seiki or Stoll knitting machines, industrial sewing, steaming, linking, washing, and drying
• BS degree or equivalent in experience
• Strong leadership skills
• Project management skills
• Time management skills
• Cross functional - capable of working across other departments
• Good communication, listening, and people’s skills
• Ability to think critically and to make wise decisions
• Technology competence in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Promote personal hygiene by monitoring all production areas clean and organized
• Ensure company safety rules, directions, and procedures are being followed.

Preferred Requirements:

• Lean Manufacturing background or knowledge of applications
• Experience with wholegarment, fully-fashioned, flatbed, and circular knitting machines
• Experience running Shima Wholegarment machines - needle changes, removing carriage, removing stuck garments etc. (Mach2X and Mach2XS preferred)
• Experience with Stoll Knitting machines, in addition to Shima Seiki Wholegarment machines
• Experience with SWG Shima machines
• Experience with light programming of Shima Seiki Wholegarment (Mach2X and Mach2XS) or Stoll machines
• Understanding of linking process and equipment used

Working at CreateMe: 

• Be a part of a community and take part in our lunch'n learns and team outings
• Stay healthy and happy through our comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance
• Take time away from the office through our flexible Paid Time Off
• Learn and grow through formal and informal learning opportunities
• Save for the future with our 401(k) program + match 

At CreateMe Technologies, we value diversity and treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.