Relief Tenter Operator - First Shift

Apex Mills Corporation; Stuart (VA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Textiles, part of the Apex Mills Family of Companies, is seeking a Relief Tenter Operator for the Finishing department. First Shift – Will Train.

8-hour shifts, plus overtime as needed. Pay rate: $16.00. You will operate a tenter frame, control drying, feed and mount cloth, adjust tension, and record production data while maintaining quality checks. Some basic maintenance tasks are required.

Qualifications

• Ability to stand, bend, climb, reach, walk, and lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to push/pull heavy fabric loads up to 1000 lbs.
• Willing to wear PPE (safety shoes and respirator).
• Experience with machine operation or textiles is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Stretching fabric: Operates a tenter frame to stretch cloth to a specified width, removing wrinkles and ensuring uniform tension.
• Drying: Controls the drying cabinet or oven to dry fabric after chemical or heat treatments.
• Feeding and mounting cloth: Loads folded cloth or rolls onto the machine, often using a hoist, and sews cloth ends to a leader for continuous processing.
• Adjusting tension and speed: Sets clips/pins, adjusts cloth speed through the drying section, and maintains correct width.
• Measurement and recording: Measures emerging cloth width with a yardstick, records yardage, clock readings, and other production data.
• Quality checks: Inspects fabric for defects, ensures processing standards are met, and reports issues to supervisors.
• Machine maintenance: Cleans, oils, and makes minor adjustments to the tenter frame; replaces worn parts as needed.

Skills

Stand and move heavy loads

Lift 50 lbs

Chemical handling safety

Wear PPE (safety shoes, respirator)

Job description

Insight Textiles, part of the Apex Mills Family of Companies, is seeking a Relief Tenter Operator for the Finishing department. (First Shift – Will Train)

8-hour shifts, plus overtime as needed.

Pay rate: $16.00

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Stretching fabric: Operates a tenter frame to stretch cloth to a specified width, removing wrinkles and ensuring uniform tension.
• Drying: Controls the drying cabinet or oven to dry fabric after chemical or heat treatments.
• Feeding and mounting cloth: Loads folded cloth or rolls onto the machine, often using a hoist, and sews cloth ends to a leader for continuous processing.
• Adjusting tension and speed: Turns wheels or levers to set clips/pins, adjust cloth speed through the drying section, and maintain correct width.
• Measurement and recording: Measures emerging cloth width with a yardstick, records yardage, clock readings, and other production data.
• Quality checks: Inspects fabric for defects, ensures processing standards are met, and reports issues to supervisors.
• Machine maintenance: Cleans, oils, and makes minor adjustments to the tenter frame; replaces worn parts as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to stand, bend, climb, reach, walk, and lift 50 lbs
• Ability to move A- or T-frame trucks and push cabs of wet fabrics weighing approximately 800 - 1000 lbs
• Ability to perform mechanical frame maintenance
• Ability to work with chemicals
• Willing and able to wear PPE protection (safety shoes & respirator) required.

About Us:

The Apex Mills Family of Companies, a U.S. based textile manufacturer, creates customized warp-knit fabric solutions. We are dedicated to developing textiles that solve business-critical problems from an engineering, innovative, and performance perspective. We are committed to building a culture that is forward-thinking, collaborative, and proud, with a sharp focus on customer service and sustained quality.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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