Description
About the Company
Direct Edge Media is a fast paced and quickly growing printing company specializing in digital, offset, and large format printing for enterprise, agency and trade printers. If you are looking for an opportunity to work in an environment that values your professional skills, Direct Edge Media has a career path for you. We are currently seeking experienced and professional full-time candidates to join our team.
Position Summary
The Fabric Production Lead is responsible for overseeing and executing all aspects of large format fabric production, including dye sublimation printing, calendar operations, cutting, sewing coordination, fit-ups, quality control, and process improvement. This role serves as the quality and technical leader for fabric production, ensuring all products meet company standards and customer expectations before advancing to the next production stage or shipment.
The Fabric Production Lead reports directly to the Director of Operations and works closely with Production, Print, Finishing, Prepress, and Sewing teams to ensure quality, efficiency, and on-time delivery.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Quality Control Leadership
- Serve as the primary quality control leader for all fabric production operations.
- Establish, maintain, and enforce fabric production quality standards.
- Inspect work at each stage of production including printing, sublimating, cutting, sewing, fit-up,finishing, and pack-out.
- Identify quality concerns before they become customer-facing issues.
- Review and approve completed jobs prior to shipment or installation.
- Investigate quality failures, remakes, reworks, and customer complaints.
- Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to prevent recurring issues.
- Track quality trends and identify opportunities to reduce waste, spoilage, remakes, and reworks.
- Partner with Production Management to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Develop and maintain quality control procedures, checklists, and best practices.
- Train and mentor production staff on quality expectations and inspection techniques.
- Promote a culture of accountability and quality ownership throughout the production process.
Production Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day fabric manufacturing operations.
- Operate and support dye sublimation and calendar equipment.
- Coordinate fabric production schedules with Production Management.
- Perform and oversee fabric cutting, fit-ups, and production preparation.
- Work closely with sewing resources to ensure production quality and efficiency.
- Troubleshoot production challenges and implement corrective actions.
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for fabric manufacturing.
- Monitor workflow to ensure production schedules and deadlines are met.
- Assist with material planning and inventory control related to fabric production.
- Cross-train team members on fabric manufacturing processes and equipment.
- Support large format print production as needed.
- Operate as a floating production resource across multiple departments when business demandsrequire.
- Maintain a safe, organized, and efficient work environment.
- Participate in preventative maintenance and equipment upkeep.
Requirements
Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of experience in large format printing, dye sublimation, soft signage, fabric manufacturing, or related production environments.
- Demonstrated experience in quality control and production troubleshooting.
- Strong understanding of color consistency, print quality, sewing tolerances, fabric finishing, and fit-up requirements.
- Ability to identify defects and quality concerns before final production.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.
- Experience implementing process improvements and reducing production errors.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
- Ability to work independently and make sound production decisions.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Remake reduction.
- Rework reduction.
- Fabric department quality scores.
- On-time delivery performance.
- Material waste reduction.
- Customer quality complaints.
- Production throughput and efficiency.
- Compliance with quality control procedures.
- Continuous improvement initiatives completed.
Compensation:
The base compensation range for this full-time position is $32 - $35 per hour plus benefits. Compensation ranges are determined by various factors, including role, experience, and location. The pay range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for this position. Within the range, actual individual compensation is determined by various factors, including location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
Skills Required
- Minimum 5 years of experience in large format printing, dye sublimation, soft signage, fabric manufacturing, or related production environments.
- Demonstrated experience in quality control and production troubleshooting.
- Strong understanding of color consistency, print quality, sewing tolerances, fabric finishing, and fit-up requirements.
- Ability to identify defects and quality concerns before final production.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.
- Experience implementing process improvements and reducing production errors.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
- Ability to work independently and make sound production decisions.
- Train and mentor production staff on quality expectations and inspection techniques.
What We Do
Direct Edge Media is a full-service print communications powerhouse offering traditional print manufacturing expertise, SaaS Print on Demand technology, and warehousing solutions, specializing in printing and visual marketing.
