Merchandise Production Associate - Inside Upholsterer - Full-time / Part-time

JOB SUMMARY:  Build furniture up with loose fiber stuffing, cotton, felt, and/or foam padding to form smooth rounded surfaces.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES DEPENDING ON LOCATION:

(NOTE: The duties listed below are examples of the variety and general nature of those performed by employees in this job description. The list is descriptive only and should not be used for any other purpose.  Management retains the right to add or to change the duties of a position at any time.  Incumbents are frequently cross-trained and may perform any combination of the following duties/responsibilities.  These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.) 

• Upholsterer will pull, lift and place the next frame in line weighing approximately 50-75 lbs onto the work station in order to build up.
• Conduct initial inspection of frame and materials to assure all pieces match the ticket on piece, including cushions and backs
• While building up the piece assure the fabric has no lumps, holes or cat tracks. Also ensure the grain runs straight.
• Fit cushions to the in-back and in-arm making sure there is no gap between cushions
• Assure that seams are straight, even and not gapped open and all welts are straight and even 

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:  

• 3- 5 years experience in production of upper-end upholstered furniture
• Good attention to detail and ability to work with hands
• Experience in reading and understanding production tickets
• Ability to interpret simple upholstery instructions commonly placed in an upholstery manual
• Ability to perform multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment to assure delivery requirements
• Good communication skills – oral and written
• Ability to keep accurate records and follow documented procedures and standards
• Excellent time-management skills including ability to work independently with little supervision
• Ability to frequently lift frames weighing approximately 50-75 lbs
• Ability to stand for 10 hour periods and bend and twist at waist and knees as required to upholster furniture
• Ability to see patterns on fabrics and color variations 

(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must be able to read, write and understand English. Requires the ability to follow verbal and written instructions, guidelines and objectives. Requires the ability to read, comprehend, analyze, and interpret upholstery build instructions and patterns.  Requires the ability to communicate effectively using telephonic and written means.  

MATHEMATIC SKILLS: Requires the ability to calculate figures with simple addition and subtraction. Ability to apply mathematical concepts to practical situations.  Must be able to read and interpret mathematical data.

REASONING ABILITY: The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. 

MANUAL DEXTERITY: Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or tools to exact positions. The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand on feet for 10 hour periods; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; and reach with hands and arms.  Employee is primarily required to sit and occasionally required to walk. Must be able to move, lift or carry heavy bundles or materials weighing 50-75 pounds above the waist.  The ability to control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). Must be able to reach, twist and turn. Must be able to use hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. Specific visual abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral visions, distance vision, and color vision for extensive reading and interpretation of fabric and materials. 

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Must have the ability to talk (expressing and/or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words) and hear (perceiving sounds of nature by ear). 

WORK CONDITIONS AND HAZARDS: Work is regularly performed in a traditional upholstered furniture manufacturing environment.    

Williams-Sonoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Williams-Sonoma may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodation with the employer.