Weaving Technician

Glodina Black Label Towelling; Durban; On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company based in Durban is seeking a Weaving Technician to manage machinery maintenance and oversee the training of apprentices. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience and relevant technical qualifications. This role involves optimizing equipment performance and ensuring safety standards, alongside mentoring staff for skill development.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience as a Rapier Loom Tuner is required.
• Working experience on Jacquard weaving machines is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Oversee maintenance and ensure availability of spares for weaving machinery.
• Co-ordinate training and development of apprentice loom tuners.

Skills

Maintenance skills

Technical skills

Housekeeping skills

Communication skills

Documentation skills

Supervision skills

Stock control skills

Budget management skills

Product development skills

Planning and organization skills

Mentoring and training skills

Interpersonal skills

Logical thinking

Decision-making

Education

Matric

Technical qualifications & Trade test

Tools

Jacquard weaving machines

Job description

The Weaving Technician’s main responsibility is to oversee, co-ordinate routine maintenance correctly and efficiently on all weaving machinery in the department. Ensure and maintain the availability of spares for all machinery in the department through central stores and the buying department. Oversee and co-ordinate effective training, development and assessments of apprentice loom tuners in weaving department.

Maintenance

• Ensure that predictive and preventive maintenance is effectively performed to minimize downtime and maintenance costs.
• Attend machine breakdowns as quickly as possible to minimize downtime.
• Ensure that safety standards are maintained and best practices are followed when maintaining equipment.
• Solve problems as they arise and ensure that any major problems have been communicated to the Weaving manager ASAP.
• Manage critical spares to minimize downtime to equipment breakdowns.
• Fix damaged or worn parts to be put back into production to save money on spares wherever possible.
• Control all relevant tools and critical spares so that they are available when needed.
• Manage maintenance expenditure (spares & contract work) in line with the budget.
• Maintain housekeeping standards to prevent accidents or incidents.
• Maintain documentation and records for traceability and analysis purposes.
• Ensure all Barco practices are met when working on any loom in the weaving dept.

Development

• Co-ordinate trials and give input to the development of new products to ensure that these are optimized from a technical, cost and operational point of view.
• Develop optimal setting and parameters for new product development to ensure a balance between quality, run ability and costs.
• Assess modifications or new equipment requirements to meet new product developments.
• Provide feedback on the running of new articles and designs to complete the continual improvement loop.
• Document all trials and developments for records & references

People

• Act as a subject matter expert to assist weavers, warpers and knotters with resolving technical issues.
• Act as a mentor and coach to uplift people, improve motivation and provide life skills.
• Facilitate performance management and disciplinary processes.
• Conduct training as and when required to ensure skills transfer & enable empowerment.
• Identify potential and manage personal development goals.
• Perform routine assessments and trade tests on apprentices & learners in the department throughout their training period.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Matric
• Technical qualifications & Trade test
• 10 years of experience as a Rapier Loom Tuner
• Working experience on Jacquard weaving machines (advantageous)

SKILLS:

• Maintenance skills
• Technical skills
• Housekeeping skills
• Communication skills
• Documentation skills
• Supervision skills
• Stock control skills
• Budget management skills
• Product development skills
• Planning and organization skills
• Mentoring and training skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Logical thinking
• Decision-making