Shima Operative

Elgin Limited; Hawick; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnstons of Elgin in Hawick, Scotland is seeking multiple Shima Operatives for a full-time, 38-hour week on a 3-shift rotation. Training starts on dayshift. You will operate Shima knitting machines and monitor production to ensure luxury quality.

Ideal candidates are organised, detail-focused, with an interest in knitting and a willingness to learn, working well in a team and communicating effectively. The role emphasizes precision and high standards in a premium textiles environment.

Qualifications

• Organised and reliable.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Interest in knitting and luxury textiles.
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills.
• Team player with good communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate various Shima knitting machines, including Whole Garment Technology.
• Work with luxury yarns to produce garments and accessories.
• Monitor knitting process to ensure smooth operation.
• Carry out quality checks throughout production.
• Ensure products meet high quality standards.

Skills

Organised

Attention to detail

Interest in knitting

Willingness to learn

Team player

Job description

Job Title: Shima Operative

Due to our ongoing expansion, we are looking for multiple Shima Operatives to join our growing team in Hawick.

This is a full-time permanent position, working 38 hours per week on a 3-shift rotation. You will start on dayshift due to training requirements.

About the Role

You will be:

• Operating various Shima knitting machines, including the latest Whole Garment Technology
• Working with fine gauge luxury yarns to produce garments and accessories
• Monitoring the knitting process to ensure smooth machine operation
• Carrying out quality checks throughout production
• Ensuring all products meet the highest quality standards

About you

Are you passionate about precision and quality? Do you enjoy working with advanced knitting technology? We’re searching for an experienced and motivated individual to join our team as a Shima Operative.

Here’s what we’re looking for in our ideal candidate:

• Organised and reliable
• Strong attention to detail
• Interest in knitting and luxury textiles
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills
• Team player with good communication skills

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].

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.

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

Closing Date: 9 November 2026