Sewing Machine Operator - Lansing

Full‑Time Sewing Machine Operator – Lansing

Peckham, Inc. – Nonprofit vocational rehabilitation organization. Applied for this role.

Join Peckham – WORK. GROW. ADVANCE.

We provide vocational rehabilitation and training for people with significant disabilities, and/or other barriers to employment. If you have a disability, complete the eligibility questionnaire to determine the best fit and accommodations.

If you do NOT have a disability, please complete the entire application including the questionnaire. These jobs are open to all abilities but we give preference to individuals with disabilities.

• Wage: $12.48 per hour
• Hours:
  
  7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday plus overtime as necessary
• Full‑Time positions only
• Sewing experience preferred but not required
• Location:
  
  3510 Capital City Blvd, Lansing, MI 48906
• Production bonuses available – quarterly & monthly performance‑based bonuses!

• Great Place to Work® certified for nine consecutive years
• Work‑life balance – “embrace the ‘AND’”
• 10 paid holidays + 10 additional PTO days
• Health benefits:
  
  medical with HSA, dental, vision, life insurance
• Peckham University: ESL classes, financial wellness trainings, tax prep services, and more – free of charge
• On‑the‑job support for all team members

• Must be available to work full time plus overtime as needed
• Sewing machine experience preferred but not required
• Must pass a sewing assessment before hire
• Manufacturing and/or production experience preferred

This entry‑level Apparel Sewing Machine Operator position is responsible for accurately aligning fabric, garments, and materials under needles using machine marks, clamps, templates, cloth, and notches as guides. The role guides garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser foot pedals to sew parts together, handles garments folding, bagging, labeling, and trimming threads. Requires successful completion of the 2‑week Apparel Sewing Training program.

• Operate single‑needle sewing machines for basic sewing tasks such as Velcro, webbing, labels, or tags.
• Operate basic automated and/or bar tacking (PLK) machines for similar tasks.
• Align fabric, garments and materials under needles using machine marks, clamps, templates, jigs, cloth, and notches as guides.
• Align material pieces in correct order prior to sewing and verify dye lots and patterns match.
• Meet or exceed a proficiency rating of 90 % on a basic step or equivalent combination.
• Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles, clamps, and feet using presser hand or foot pedals.
• Place cord, spools of thread or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, thread ends through guides, and thread needles as necessary.
• Trim excess threads from garments after sewing, using scissors, nippers, or automatic trimming machines.
• Select supplies such as fasteners and thread to meet job requirements.
• Inspect garments and check repair tags to locate defects or damage, repair mistakes, or mark quality issues as necessary.
• Observe machine operations and identify problems – defective stitching, thread breaks, or machine malfunctions – and report to supervisors or mechanics.
• Work with supervisor to meet performance standards.
• Maintain a safe and clean work environment.
• Practice LEAN principles and 5S concepts.
• Support ISO‑9001 and Peckham, Inc. Quality Management System requirements.
• Support Peckham Inc.’s vision, values, culture, and commitment to excellent customer service.
• Participate in Peckham’s safety programs and ergonomic activities (required).
• Must have passed the new‑hire sewing assessment.
• Other related duties as assigned.

• At least 18 years of age.
• Knowledge of numbers and the ability to count.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 10 lb and occasionally up to 25 lb.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas to others for understanding.
• Must meet attendance requirements (9 of 10 days during training).

• Ability to receive constructive feedback.

Regularly required to stand, sit, walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; communicate effectively; frequently lift 10 lb, occasionally 25 lb. Specific vision…