Button Hole Machinist

Johnstons of Elgin; Hawick; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnstons of Elgin in Hawick is seeking an experienced Button hole Machinist to join our growing team. This is a full-time permanent role, 38 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a starting rate of £13.45 per hour, dependent on experience.

You will pick up bundles, thread the machine, set up for the correct buttonhole size, align garments with chalk marks, cut and stitch, then fold and lay aside the finished pieces while ensuring accuracy and high quality.

Qualifications

• Ability to carefully and accurately follow detailed written instructions.
• Pride in doing a job well with high standards.
• Good communication with colleagues and a supportive team player.
• Excellent colour vision.
• Previous experience operating machines.

Responsibilities

• Pick up bundle from container and ensure contents match paperwork.
• Thread up machine using the correct thread.
• Set up machine for buttonhole size and run a test on waste fabric.
• Position garment to machine, align with chalk marks, then cut and stitch.
• Repeat for all buttonholes, then fold and lay aside the garment.
• When bundle is complete, tie up and verify correct quantity.

Skills

Attention to detail

High standards

Communication

Color vision

Machine operation

Tools

Buttonhole machine

Job description

Job Title: Button hole Machinist

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Button hole Machinist to join our growing team in Hawick.

Starting rate at £13.45 per hour, dependant on experience.

You will:

• Pick up bundle from container, and ensure contents correctly match paperwork
• Thread up machine using correct thread
• Using key-pad, set up machine for correct size of buttonhole and run test on waste fabric.
• Position garment to machine, using chalk mark guides to align correctly, then cut and stitch buttonhole.
• Repeat process on all buttonholes, then fold and lay aside garment.
• When bundle complete, tie up and ensure correct amount are in bundle

This is a full-time permanent position, working 38 hours a week Monday to Friday. Flexible or part-time hours can be discussed for the right candidate.

About you

• have the ability to carefully and accurately follow detailed written instructions
• take pride in doing a job well, and never compromise on high standards
• communicate well with colleagues and be an enthusiastic and supportive team member
• have excellent colour vision
• have previous experience operating machines

Don't meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement or qualification. At Johnstons of Elgin, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but think your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

About Us

Founded in 1797, Johnstons of Elgin is an innovative, luxury clothing brand celebrating 225 years of experience in working with the world's finest fibres. Across three centuries, our family-owned company has carefully sources cashmere and fine woollen fibres from around the world, applying the latest technology and highest quality craft expertise in our very own vertical Scottish mills. Employing over 1,000 staff, our valued employees and communities are at the heart of everything we do, producing unique, high-quality designs that are made to last. Our brand is focused on sustainability, working with natural, renewable, and biodegradable fibres and we are committed to maintaining a minimal environmental footprint.

Johnstons of Elgin is proud to be an equal opportunity employer wholeheartedly supporting the principles of equality and diversity to build an inclusive workforce. Our aim is to embed diversity and inclusion in everything we do to create an environment where our employees feel safe to be their whole authentic self without having to downplay or change parts of their identity. We celebrate diversity in all its forms, which goes beyond those characteristics protected by law to include everything that makes us unique, from our backgrounds and experiences to our personalities and ways of thinking.

We endeavour to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and encourage any candidate who requires assistance to contact us at [e-mail].

Please note all applicants must be able to provide evidence of their right to remain and take up paid employment in country job is based.

Closing date - 17 September 2026