Upholstery Fabric Cutter

DFS Trading Ltd; Somercotes CP; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance

Enhanced parental leave

Staff discounts on DFS and Sofology

Job summary

DFS is a leading sofa retailer in the UK. We are seeking a Fabric Cutter to operate cutting equipment and prepare fabric components according to product specifications, ensuring accurate, high-quality work in a safe environment.

The role features rotating morning and afternoon shifts, a two-week shutdown every July, a Christmas break, and non-working bank holidays. You can grow with us through a performance-based pay structure and training opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience operating cutting equipment in a factory setting.
• Ability to read templates and align fabric patterns accurately.
• Knowledge of fabric types and nap direction.
• Understanding of quality standards and safety policies.
• Ability to maintain a clean, organized workspace.

Responsibilities

• Operate cutting machines and hand-cutting equipment to cut fabric components per specs.
• Assist in producing accurate, high-quality cut materials.
• Move cut fabrics to sorting area to keep production flow smooth.
• Build knowledge of product specifications and manufacturing requirements.
• Handle orders with care to protect materials and process correctly.
• Report fabric quality issues or production concerns promptly.
• Follow Health and Safety policies at all times.
• Maintain clean and safe work areas and collaborate with colleagues.
• Participate in training and development activities.

Skills

Industrial machinery operation

Pattern matching & alignment

Quality inspection

Basic tool maintenance

Team collaboration

Tools

Cutting machines (CNC)

Straight-knife cutters

Rotary shears

Band saws

Job description

It takes a whole lot of passion to be at the centre of what makes a house feel like home — and that’s just what we do at DFS. We’re 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:Rate to be agreed depending on skills and experience

LocationWimsey Way,Somercotes DE55 4QQ

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

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

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

There’s more…

Generous holiday allowance – the time you need to rest and relax and the longer you’re with us, the more time you’ll 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 Sainsbury’s, 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 (e.g., 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:

We’re 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.)