Upholstery Fabric Cutter

Dfs; Ambergate; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance

Enhanced parental leave

Discounts on DFS and Sofology products

Wellbeing perks: healthcare services,,

Pension and savings

Job summary

DFS is hiring for a Fabric Cutter to operate cutting equipment and prepare fabric components per product specifications. You will work with experienced colleagues to deliver accurate, high-quality work in a safe, organised environment.

The role offers a rotating morning/afternoon shift pattern, substantial holiday provisions, and a performance-based pay structure. DFS emphasises work-life balance and a supportive team culture in the UK manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Industrial machinery operation: proficiency with cutting equipment such as CNC fabric cutters, straight-knife cutters, rotary shears and band saws.
• Pattern matching and alignment: read templates and align complex fabric designs across sofa sections.
• Advanced fabric knowledge: understand stretch, fray, nap direction, and material behavior for different fabrics.
• Yield optimization: arrange pattern pieces to maximize fabric usage and minimize waste.
• Precision hand-cutting: use industrial shears for bespoke pieces and delicate fabrics.
• Quality inspection: spot weaving flaws, dye lot differences and shade variations.
• Basic tool maintenance: perform routine maintenance on cutting equipment.

Responsibilities

• Operate cutting machines and hand-cutting tools to cut fabric per specs.
• Produce accurate, high-quality cut materials and maintain quality standards.
• Move cut fabric to sorting area to ensure smooth production flow.
• Build knowledge of product specs and manufacturing requirements.
• Handle customer orders with care and ensure proper processing.
• Report fabric quality issues or production concerns promptly.
• Follow health and safety policies and company procedures.
• Maintain a clean, organised factory environment with clear walkways.
• Collaborate with colleagues and participate in training and development.

Skills

Industrial machinery operation

Pattern matching

Fabric knowledge

Nesting/yield optimization

Hand-cutting

Quality inspection

Tool maintenance

Job description

Your new role

About DFS:

It takes a whole lot of passion to be at the centre of what makes a house feel like home and thats just what we do at DFS. Were the leading sofa retail specialist in the UK, helping people find a comfy seat on their great quality sofas since 1969.

About the role:

As a Fabric Cutter, you will operate cutting equipment and support the production process by preparing fabric components in line with product specifications. Working alongside experienced colleagues, you will develop the skills and knowledge required to produce accurate, high-quality work while maintaining a safe and organised working environment.

Here’s what we offer:

Our rotating morning and afternoon shift pattern gives you the best of both worlds sharing early finishes and later starts throughout the week while maintaining a consistent full-time schedule.

You’ll also enjoy a two-week shutdown every July at the start of the summer holidays, a week off at Christmas, and we don't work bank holidays, giving you even more time to relax, recharge and spend with the people who matter most.

Once you've successfully completed your training, you'll move onto our performance-related pay structure, giving you the opportunity to increase your earnings. The more you develop your skills and performance, the greater your earning potential.

It's a shift pattern designed to support a healthy work-life balance while giving you the opportunity to build a rewarding career at DFS. More time to enjoy life outside of work, the chance to earn more as your skills grow, and a supportive team around you there's always room for more at DFS.

• Competitive Pay & Work-Life Balance: Piecework with a great training rate to get you started and a reliable schedule, leading to a strong annual earning potential including uncapped commission

• Location Wimsey Way,Somercotes DE55 4QQ

• Working hours :39hrs per week working an alternate shift on both mornings and afternoons

• Week One : Monday - Thursday 6:00 am 1:50 pm, Friday 6:00 am 2:05 pm

• Week Two : Monday - Wednesday 2:00 pm 12:20 am Thursday 2;00pm - 11:05am (4 day working week)

• Growth and Training: Learn new skills and develop your career with us.

Theres more

• Generous holiday allowance the time you need to rest and relax and the longer youre with us, the more time youll get.

• Enhanced parental leave: to give you the time you need to settle in with your new family member.

• Discounts: Get 30% off DFS and Sofology products for yourself, plus discounts for friends and family and savings at big brands like Sainsburys, ASOS, and IKEA.

• Wellbeing Perks: Access healthcare services, an Employee Assistance Programme, and discounted gym memberships.

• Pension and Savings: Join our Group Pension and Sharesave schemes.

• Life Assurance & Sick Pay: Peace of mind with Life Assurance and Company Sick Pay.

What you'll be doing:

• Operating cutting machines and hand-cutting equipment to cut fabric components in line with product specifications.

• Assisting in producing accurate, high-quality cut materials while developing an understanding of quality standards.

• Supporting the timely movement of cut fabric to the sorting area to ensure smooth production flow.

• Building knowledge of product specifications and manufacturing requirements.

• Handling customer orders with care, ensuring materials are protected and processed correctly.

• Reporting any fabric quality issues or production concerns to supervisors promptly.

• Following all Company Health and Safety policies and procedures at all times.

• Adhering to Company policies, procedures, and working practices.

• Helping maintain a clean, tidy, and organised factory environment, ensuring walkways and work areas remain free from obstructions.

• Working collaboratively with colleagues and participating in training and development activities

The role is for you if...

• Industrial Machinery Operation: Proficiency in operating commercial cutting equipment, such as automated CNC fabric cutters, straight-knife cutters, rotary shears, and band saws.

• Pattern Matching & Alignment: The ability to read templates and accurately align complex fabric designs (like stripes, checks, florals, or repeating motifs) so they match seamlessly across different sections of a sofa.

• Advanced Fabric Knowledge: Understanding how different materials (, leather, velvet, chenille, linen) stretch, fray, and behave. This includes managing "nap" (the direction of the fabric pile, crucial for velvets).

• Yield Optimization (Nesting): The ability to arrange pattern pieces strategically on the fabric roll to maximize usage and minimize costly waste.

• Precision Hand-Cutting: Expertise in using industrial shears for bespoke pieces, intricate corners, or delicate fabrics that automated machines cannot handle.

• Quality Inspection: A trained eye to spot weaving flaws, misprints, or shade variations (dye lot differences) in the raw fabric before it is cut.

• Basic Tool Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on cutting equipment, such as safely changing out dull blades and adjusting machine tension.

Our Commitment to Inclusion:

Were committed to a culture where everyone feels welcome, valued, and can thrive at work. We celebrate diverse voices, champion inclusion, and support each other through our growing colleague networks. We invest in partnerships that drive change, from introducing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and supporting Doncaster Pride, to partnering with Carers UK and developing leaders with Diversity in Retail.

We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. So, if your experience doesn't quite match the specification, we'd still really love to hear from you.

(All roles are subject to satisfactory DBS checks.)