Knitting machine supervisor

Knitter supervisors supervise the knitting process of a group of machines, monitoring fabric quality and knitting conditions. They inspect knitting machines after set up, start up and during production to ensure that the product being knit meets specifications and quality standards.

The following job titles also refer to knitting machine supervisor:

knitting foreman
knitter supervisor
fabric knitting supervisor
knitting inspector
knitting forewoman
knitter of fabrics
fabric knitter

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a knitting machine supervisor.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Knitting machine supervisor is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to knitting machine supervisor.

weaving machine supervisor
knitting textile technician
braiding machine operator
knitting machine operator
nonwoven staple machine operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of knitting machine supervisor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of knitting machine supervisor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

textile process controller
textile operations manager
textile chemical quality technician
textile quality technician
textile sourcing merchandiser

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of knitting machine supervisor.

• Knitting machine technology: Manufacturing technologies which use loop forming techniques to convert yarns into fabrics in order to form knitted fabrics.

These skills are necessary for the role of knitting machine supervisor.

• Control textile process: Planning and monitoring textile production to achieve control on behalf of quality, productivity and delivery time.
• Manufacture knitted textiles: Perform the operation, monitoring and maintenance of machines and processes to manufacture weft knitting fabrics.
• Maintain work standards: Maintaining standards of work in order to improve and acquire new skills and work methods.
• Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
• Use warp knitting technologies: Use warp knitting machine technologies that enable the formation of fabrics. Able to set machines for warp knitting, colour and pattern for monitoring and controlling the warp knitting process on electronic automatic warp knitting machines equipped with multifunction microprocessor and software.
• Manufacture weft knitted fabrics: Perform the operation, monitoring and maintenance of machines and processes to manufacture knitted products keeping efficiency and productivity at high levels.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of knitting machine supervisor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Manufacturing of fur products: The process required to produce fur products, from choosing pelts, the techniques depending on the pelt, the chemicals for preservation and treatment, and the handling during the manufacturing process.
• Properties of fabrics: The influence of chemical composition and molecular arrangement of yarn and fibre properties and fabric structure on the physical properties of textile fabrics; the different fibre types, their physical and chemical characteristics and different material characteristics; the materials used in different processes and the effect on materials as they are processed. 

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of knitting machine supervisor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Draw sketches to develop textile articles: Draw sketches to develop textiles or wearing apparel by hand. They create visualisations of the motives, patterns or products in order to be manufactured.
• Manufacture fur products: Manufacture fur products by handling pelts. Cut raw materials, apply chemicals as necessary, follow procedures to maintain the quality of the product, and apply finishing touches to products.
• Use warp preparation technologies: Use warping, sizing, drawing-in and knotting technologies that enable the formation of warps.
• Manufacture braided products: Perform the operation, monitoring and maintenance of machines and processes to manufacture braided products while keeping efficiency and productivity at high levels.
• Evaluate textile characteristics: Evaluate textiles and their properties in order to manufacture products in conformity with specifications.

8152 – Weaving and knitting machine operators

---

References

1. Knitting machine supervisor – ESCO