Relief Tenter Operator - First Shift

Prismhr Hire; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 44,083,000 - 47,803,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Textiles, part of the Apex Mills Family of Companies, seeks a Relief Tenter Operator for the Finishing department on the first shift, with training provided.

The role involves operating a tenter frame, drying fabrics, loading cloth, adjusting tension, recording production data, and performing basic maintenance. Equal opportunity employer with a safety-first culture.

Qualifications

• Must be able to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Experience handling chemical processes safely.
• Ability to move heavy fabric loads and operate frames.
• Willingness to wear PPE (safety shoes and respirator).

Responsibilities

• Operate tenter frame to stretch fabric to width and remove wrinkles.
• Control drying cabinet or oven to dry fabric after chemical or heat treatments.
• Load folded fabric or rolls onto the machine and secure ends for continuous processing.
• Adjust tension and speed to maintain correct fabric width.
• Measure emerging cloth width and record yardage, clock readings, and production data.
• Inspect fabric for defects and report issues to supervisors.
• Perform routine machine maintenance including cleaning, oiling, and minor adjustments.

Skills

Stamina & Lifting

Lift 50 lbs

Mechanical aptitude

Chemicals handling

PPE safety

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.