Join The Crew - Embroidery Production Specialist
Title: Embroidery Production Specialist
Location: In-Office, Goose Island, Chicago
Role Summary
We are a Chicago-based apparel retailer with multiple store locations and a rapidly expanding product assortment. As we continue growing our in-house customization capabilities, we are seeking an experienced Embroidery Manager to operate our fleet of Brother 10-needle embroidery machines and help scale our embroidery program.
This role is ideal for someone who combines strong technical embroidery skills with a production mindset and an interest in contributing ideas to improve workflow, quality, and output. You will play a key role in producing high-quality custom embroidery in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, with the opportunity to grow into embroidery digitizing over time.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate Brother 10-needle embroidery machines with accuracy, consistency, and care.
- Set up embroidery jobs, including hooping, selecting thread, needles, backing and stabilizers, confirming placement, and loading design files.
- Monitor machines during production runs and make real-time adjustments when needed.
- Troubleshoot thread breaks, tension, needle, alignment, file, and routine machine issues to minimize downtime.
- Inspect finished products for placement, color, stitching, consistency, cleanliness, and overall quality.
- Organize jobs by priority and meet daily production targets, deadlines, and promised turnaround times.
- Perform routine cleaning, maintenance, and basic machine care; promptly communicate repair or supply needs.
- Track and maintain embroidery supplies, including thread, needles, backing, stabilizers, hoops, and other materials.
- Keep the embroidery area clean, safe, organized, and ready for efficient production.
- Document recurring processes and job specifications so successful work can be reproduced consistently.
- Communicate clearly with product, retail, e-commerce, and operations teams about job status, timing, quality concerns, and special requests.
- Occasionally support in-store or off-site customization events by operating equipment and interacting positively with customers.
Qualifications
• Hands-on experience operating multi-needle embroidery machines; Brother commercial or 10-needle experience is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of hooping techniques, stabilizers and backing, thread and needle selection, placement, tension, and embroidery quality control.
• Strong attention to detail and pride in producing clean, consistent finished work.
• Mechanical aptitude and confidence troubleshooting common production issues.
• Ability to work independently, stay organized, and manage several jobs with different priorities and deadlines.
• Reliable, accountable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced production environment.
• Positive and professional when working with coworkers and occasional customers.
• Embroidery digitizing experience in Wilcom, Hatch, Pulse, or similar software.
• Ability to safely lift and move products and supplies and remain active throughout the workday.
Why This Role Is Unique
- Join a growing Chicago-based brand — not a mass-production factory
- Opportunity to learn digitizing and expand your technical skill set
- Have a voice in improving and shaping our embroidery program
- Opportunity for creative input and workflow innovation
- Work across a wide variety of products and custom projects
- Be part of building and expanding an in-house capability from the ground up
Compensation
- Full-Time Role, Monday through Friday, 8-4:30 at our office on Goose Island
- $24 to $27 an hour (paid biweekly)
- Health benefits, paid time off, paid sick leave, and 401K
- Generous employee discount
To apply, please send your resume and a short note describing your embroidery experience to Brian@aliceandwonder.com.