Team Lead- Sewer in Fresno, California at Lakeland Industries

Team Lead - Sewer

Full Time

Fresno, CA, US

Salary Range: $23.00 To $23.00 Hourly

About Us

California PPE is an Independent Service Provider (ISP) supporting first responders through the cleaning, inspection, repair,

and management of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE). Our work helps ensure customer gear is handled

accurately, safely, efficiently, and with the quality expected of a specialized PPE service operation.

Position Summary

The Team Lead - Sewer is a working lead responsible for the day-to-day coordination, quality, and completion of sewing and

repair activities performed on firefighter PPE and related textile components. In addition to performing hands-on sewing

duties, this position serves as the primary shop-floor resource for sewing-related workflow, workmanship, training,

troubleshooting, and repair coordination. The Team Lead helps ensure approved repairs are completed accurately, efficiently,

safely, and according to Company procedures, customer requirements, manufacturer guidance, and established ISP

processes. This position reports to the Operations Manager and provides functional day-to-day direction within the sewing

area; hiring, termination, formal discipline, compensation, overtime approval, customer-pricing, and company-policy

decisions remain with management unless specifically delegated.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform all core Sewer duties, including operation of industrial and domestic sewing machines, measuring, cutting,

stitching, assembly, material handling, and repair of textile and PPE components.

• Take day-to-day ownership of the sewing and repair area, including work queue organization, repair flow, work-in-process,

and completion priorities.

• Review approved work orders and repair instructions before work begins and help ensure each repair is completed to the

documented scope and specification.

• Coordinate and prioritize sewing work among qualified team members based on workload, skill level, due dates, and

direction from the Operations Manager.

• Monitor workmanship and perform in-process quality checks for seams, stitching, patches, closures, components,

hardware, and other repairs before items move forward.

• Identify incomplete, incorrect, or questionable repair work and coordinate correction or rework before the item advances

to final inspection.

• Serve as the first shop-floor resource for routine sewing questions, repair-method questions, material selection, machine

setup, and troubleshooting.

• Coach and train sewing staff on Company procedures, workmanship expectations, safe machine operation, repair

techniques, and efficient work practices.

• Support onboarding and cross-training of sewing employees and communicate training needs, recurring quality concerns,

or performance concerns to the Operations Manager.

• Monitor sewing machines and related equipment for proper operation; perform permitted routine care and promptly

report maintenance, repair, or safety needs.

• Maintain awareness of thread, hook-and-loop, snaps, zippers, hardware, patches, labels, repair materials, and other

sewing supplies and communicate replenishment needs.

• Coordinate with Intake, Cleaning, Inspection, Final Inspection, and other shop functions to keep customer gear moving

and resolve repair-related questions or missing information.

• Track sewing workload and status, identify bottlenecks or unusual delays, and provide timely updates to the Operations

Manager.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe sewing area and protect customer property, tools, equipment, materials, and work in-process.

• Recommend practical workflow, quality, training, or process improvements to the Operations Manager.

• Perform other related duties as assigned or needed to support shop operations and customer requirements.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day task direction, coaching, technical guidance, and workflow coordination to sewing staff.

• Pause or hold work when quality, safety, documentation, or repair-method concerns must be resolved.

• Request correction or rework when workmanship does not meet established expectations.

California PPE | Fresno, California

• Support training, cross-training, and consistent application of approved sewing and repair procedures.

• Escalate serious, recurring, policy-related, customer, safety, or personnel matters to the Operations Manager.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency operating industrial sewing equipment in a manufacturing, textile, garment, repair, or similar

environment.

• Strong working knowledge of garment/textile construction, repair techniques, measuring, cutting, material handling, and

sewing quality.

• Ability to read and follow work orders, repair instructions, patterns, specifications, and safety requirements.

• Demonstrated reliability, initiative, organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple work priorities.

• Ability to communicate instructions clearly, coach others respectfully, and work effectively with employees at different

skill levels.

• Basic computer and calculator skills as needed for work orders, measurements, tracking, or shop records.

• Ability to work independently while recognizing when a matter should be escalated to the Operations Manager.

• Reliable transportation to and from the workplace.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience repairing firefighter turnout gear, PPE, technical garments, or other heavy-duty textile assemblies.

• Experience training, mentoring, coordinating, or leading employees in a production or repair environment.

• Familiarity with industrial sewing machine setup, routine care, and troubleshooting.

• Experience with quality-control practices, work-order systems, and production workflow coordination.

Skills and Competencies

• Leadership - Leads by example and provides clear day-to-day direction within the sewing function.

• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy, thoroughness, and commitment to minimizing avoidable rework.

• Communication - Communicates clearly, listens, gives constructive feedback, and escalates issues appropriately.

• Problem Solving - Identifies workflow, repair, equipment, or material issues and works toward timely solutions.

• Dependability - Maintains reliable attendance, follows through on priorities, and takes responsibility for assigned work.

• Teamwork - Supports cross-training, cooperation, and productive coordination with other shop functions.

• Safety and Organization - Follows safety procedures and maintains an orderly, efficient work area.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, sitting, bending, reaching, twisting, grasping, and repetitive hand/arm motion throughout the workday.

• Ability to manipulate, lift, position, and control large or bulky textile/PPE components while sewing or repairing.

• Ability to safely use scissors, hand tools, sewing equipment, and other approved shop equipment.

• Ability to work in a production/warehouse environment with normal equipment noise and changing workload demands.

Schedule

• Full-time, Monday through Friday.

• Typical Fresno shop schedule is approximately 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, subject to business needs.

• Occasional overtime, early starts, or schedule adjustments may be required based on workload and customer needs and

are subject to Company approval procedures.

Compensation and Benefits

• Health benefits available to eligible employees.

• Paid training and opportunities for continued development and advancement.

Other Duties

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of

every responsibility. The Team Lead may be assigned other related duties, responsibilities, projects, training, or operational

support as needed to meet business requirements, customer needs, safety obligations, staffing needs, or changing shop

conditions. Duties and priorities may be adjusted by management consistent with the employee's qualifications, training, and

applicable law