About the Role
We are looking for a hands-on, detail-oriented Machine Operator - Assistant Manager Trainee Track to join our cap manufacturing team in Denver.
This role begins as a production-focused position responsible for learning, operating, and taking full ownership of several key production areas: fabric spreading, fabric cutting using a clicker press, and steam blocking. The right candidate will become self-sufficient on these machines, including setup, adjustment, cleaning, maintenance, troubleshooting, and daily operation.
This is a hands-on, fast-moving role for someone who enjoys production work, takes ownership of machines and work areas, and is comfortable adjusting quickly as order priorities and production needs change throughout the day. While the role begins with specific training on fabric spreading, die cutting, and steam blocking, this person will also support trimming, finishing, material handling, organization, and other factory needs as required.
After approximately three successful months demonstrating strong machine ownership, reliability, attention to detail, urgency, and problem-solving ability, this position may move into an Assistant Manager Trainee track with expanded production leadership responsibilities.
This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to grow inside a manufacturing environment, learn specialized equipment, and build toward a supervisory or assistant management role.
Key Responsibilities
Fabric Spreading, Cutting & Steam Blocking
- Operate fabric spreading equipment safely and accurately.
- Prepare fabric for cutting based on order specifications, material type, layout, and production needs.
- Operate die cutting equipment to cut fabric panels and components for cap production.
- Operate steam blocking equipment to shape and finish caps according to quality standards.
- Set up, configure, adjust, clean, and maintain assigned machines.
- Understand how each machine works and become fully self-sufficient in day-to-day operation.
- Identify machine issues, quality problems, or setup errors and make appropriate adjustments.
- Keep work areas, tools, dies, machines, and production materials clean, organized, and ready for use.
Math, Yield & Production Planning
- Calculate fabric usage, yield, and cutting requirements for production orders.
- Determine how many dies fit on a yard of fabric.
- Calculate how many cuts are needed to complete an order.
- Understand order quantities, fabric lengths, die sizes, and layout efficiency.
- Help reduce waste through accurate spreading, cutting, and setup.
- Follow detailed order instructions, including fabric type, cut direction, special handling notes, and production requirements.
Production Support & Factory Flow
- Work comfortably in a fast-paced production environment.
- Maintain a strong sense of urgency while still prioritizing accuracy and quality.
- Adapt quickly when order priorities, production schedules, materials, or daily needs change.
- Stay active throughout the day; this is a hands-on role that requires consistent movement between machines, materials, orders, and production areas.
- Assist with trimming, finishing, organizing materials, moving work-in-process, and other factory needs as required.
- Support the production team wherever needed to keep orders moving.
- Balance speed, quality, safety, and attention to detail.
- Communicate quickly when something is wrong, unclear, delayed, or out of specification.
- Be willing to jump into different tasks as production needs change.
Quality & Detail
- Read and follow specific order details carefully.
- Verify fabric, components, cutting direction, quantities, and machine settings before production.
- Inspect cut pieces and blocked caps for accuracy, consistency, wrinkles, defects, or other issues.
- Communicate quality concerns before they become larger production problems.
- Maintain a high level of accuracy and consistency in repetitive production work.
Leadership Development
After successful completion of the initial production training period, responsibilities may expand to include:
- Supporting production flow and daily priorities.
- Helping train or guide other production employees.
- Assisting with other machine setup and troubleshooting across the floor.
- Communicating production issues to management.
- Helping maintain standards for safety, cleanliness, quality, and efficiency.
- Learning broader factory operations with the goal of growing into an assistant manager role.
Required Qualifications
- Strong math skills, including basic production calculations, measurements, and yield planning.
- Strong problem-solving ability.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to read, understand, and follow detailed production instructions.
- Mechanically inclined and comfortable learning machines.
- Comfortable working in a production/manufacturing environment.
- Able to work at a steady pace with a sense of urgency.
- Able to adapt quickly as priorities and production schedules change.
- Reliable, punctual, and consistent.
- Able to work independently after training.
- Physically able to safely lift, move, and position production materials up to 150 lbs, utilizing proper lifting techniques, team lifts, or mechanical assistance as required.
- Comfortable standing, walking, bending, reaching, and moving throughout the day.
- Willingness to clean, maintain, and take ownership of assigned machines and work areas.
- Willingness to assist with other factory needs when required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience with fabric spreading is highly preferred and will receive strong consideration.
- Experience in sewing, textile, apparel, headwear, upholstery, cut-and-sew, or other fabric-based manufacturing.
- Experience with die cutting, fabric cutting, steam blocking, or production machinery.
- Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
- Prior experience in a production lead, trainer, assistant supervisor, or team lead role.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is someone who:
- Takes ownership of machines and work areas.
- Notices small details others miss.
- Moves with purpose and stays busy throughout the day.
- Can think through math, layout, fabric usage, and production flow.
- Is comfortable with physical, hands-on production work.
- Can shift from one task to another without losing focus.
- Is not afraid to jump in where needed.
- Wants to grow into a leadership role.
- Can communicate clearly with both production employees and management.
- Understands that machine setup, cleanliness, consistency, and urgency directly affect quality and output.
Schedule
- Full-time position.
- Monday–Friday schedule expected.
- Occasional overtime may be required based on production needs.
Compensation
Pay Range: $25.00 to $30.00 per hour, depending on experience.
Starting pay will be based on relevant experience, including fabric spreading, cutting, die cutting, production machinery, manufacturing, and leadership potential.
Potential for wage growth may be available after successful completion of the initial training period and movement into the Assistant Manager Trainee track.
Benefits
This position does not currently include health insurance, paid vacation/PTO, or paid holidays.
Employees receive paid sick leave in accordance with Colorado law.
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit your resume and a brief note about any experience you have with fabric spreading, cutting, die cutting, sewing, manufacturing equipment, or production leadership.
Applicants with previous textile manufacturing experience will receive strong consideration.
Background Check & Drug-Free Workplace
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and any required pre-employment screening, conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.
We are a drug-free workplace. Employees are expected to report to work fit for duty and able to safely perform their job responsibilities. Use, possession, impairment, or being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol while at work, on company property, or while operating company equipment is prohibited.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the application process and during employment, as required by law.
Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour
Application Question(s):
- Please describe your past experience in textile manufacturing / cut and sew factories
Experience:
- cut / sew / textile manufacturing: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person
