Cutting Room Manager (Textile & Clothing Manufacturing)

The Recruitment Guy; Newcastle; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading textile manufacturing company in Newcastle is seeking a Cutting Room Manager to lead operations in a high-volume production environment. You will manage cutting room activities, ensuring efficiency and quality while supervising staff. A minimum of 5 years of management experience in textile manufacturing is required along with knowledge of cutting systems. This role comes with market-related salary plus benefits.

Benefits

Market-related salary

Negotiable benefits

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience in a supervisory or management role in textile manufacturing.
• Experience with high-volume woven and knit garments is essential.
• Comfortable managing multi-shift teams in a high-output environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all cutting room operations including planning and work allocation.
• Ensure efficient fabric utilisation and minimal wastage.
• Manage a team of cutting staff ensuring productivity and quality.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Fabric behaviour knowledge

Team leadership

Planning skills

Organisational skills

Education

Matric (Grade 12)

Relevant textile/garment qualification

Tools

Gerber cutting system

Lectra cutting system

Auto-CAD cutting systems

Job description

Title : Cutting Room Manager

Area : Newcastle

Industry : (Textile & Clothing Manufacturing)

Ref No. : TRG 2369

Salary : Market-related + benefits (negotiable based on experience)

Start Date : ASAP / Negotiable

Type : Permanent / Full-time

A leading and long-established textile and garment manufacturer, with a high-volume production operation in the Newcastle / Amajuba region, is seeking a hands‑on and process‑driven Cutting Room Manager to join their senior operations team.

The role is key to ensuring the cutting room functions at optimal efficiency, driving output, accuracy, and team performance in line with fast-paced production targets.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Oversee all cutting room operations, including planning, marker making, spreading, cutting, bundling, and work allocation.
• Ensure efficient fabric utilisation and minimal wastage through strategic marker planning and control.
• Manage a team of cutting staff and assistants, ensuring consistent productivity, quality, and discipline.
• Monitor and maintain performance against cutting room KPIs (output, efficiency, error rate, and timelines).
• Coordinate closely with the production, pattern, and planning departments to align cutting schedules with production deadlines.
• Oversee maintenance and operation of cutting equipment, including Gerber / lectra / auto cutters, and ensure all machines run optimally.
• Implement lean manufacturing principles and contribute to continuous improvement in processes.
• Ensure fabric inspections, labelling, and job cards are completed accurately and on time.
• Enforce all health & safety protocols within the cutting room environment.
• Manage timekeeping, leave planning, and performance reviews for cutting staff.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS :

• Minimum 57 years experience in a supervisory or management role within a textile or clothing manufacturing cutting room.
• Matric (Grade 12) + Relevant textile / garment qualification advantageous.
• Experience with high-volume woven and knit garments is essential.
• Proficient with cutting room planning, marker-making, and team leadership.
• Experience with Gerber / Lectra / Auto-CAD cutting systems (advantageous).
• Strong working knowledge of fabric behaviour, garment construction, and production workflow.
• Excellent people management, planning, and organisational skills.
• Comfortable managing multi-shift teams in a high-output environment.
• Must be able to relocate or commute to the Newcastle / Amajuba region.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

• We will ONLY consider applications from suitably experienced candidates that meet the requirements of this vacancy.