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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Uniform Operator

💰 $ - $

ManufacturingOperationsFacilitiesLogisticsTextile Services

🎯 Role Definition

A Uniform Operator is responsible for the efficient, safe, and high-quality processing of company or client uniforms in an industrial laundry or garment-processing environment. This role includes operating and maintaining washers, dryers, presses, folders, and packaging equipment; inspecting garments for stains or damage; performing chemical dosing and stain-removal treatments; maintaining accurate production and inventory records; and ensuring compliance with safety, hygiene, and client-specific requirements. The Uniform Operator plays a key role in meeting production targets, preserving garment life, and delivering consistently clean, pressed, and packaged uniforms to internal or external customers.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Laundry Assistant / Porter
  • Production Operative (Textile/Laundry)
  • Facilities or Housekeeping Technician

Advancement To:

  • Shift Supervisor (Laundry/Production)
  • Plant/Operations Supervisor
  • Quality Control Lead (Textiles)
  • Operations Manager (Facility Services)

Lateral Moves:

  • Dry-Cleaning Technician
  • Textile Repair/Alterations Technician
  • Inventory/Warehouse Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate industrial washers, dryers, presses, folders, and automated finishing lines to process uniforms to client and company quality standards, adjusting machine settings (temperature, cycle time, chemical dosing) based on fabric type and soil level.
  • Sort incoming and outgoing uniform loads by client, department, size, material, and color; flag and segregate damaged, contaminated, or non-serviceable garments for repair or special handling.
  • Inspect garments pre- and post-wash for stains, tears, missing components (buttons, badges), and quality defects; perform targeted pre-treatment, spotting, and rework to remove stains and restore garment appearance.
  • Measure and apply correct chemical dosing, detergent, bleach, and finishing agents using chemical dispensing systems; monitor chemical inventory and follow manufacturer guidelines and SDS (Safety Data Sheets).
  • Maintain production throughput and meet daily/weekly output targets by setting up, monitoring, and troubleshooting machines; reduce downtime through quick adjustments and standard operating procedure adherence.
  • Fold, press, hang, or package uniforms per client specification using manual and automated finishing equipment; ensure consistent presentation, labeling, and bundling for accurate delivery.
  • Perform routine preventive maintenance and cleaning of laundry equipment (filters, strainers, conveyors, steam systems) and escalate mechanical or electrical faults to maintenance staff or external service providers.
  • Operate material handling equipment (trolleys, hand trucks, pallet jacks; where certified, forklifts) to move garments and supplies safely around the facility while observing manual handling best practices.
  • Accurately record production data — batch numbers, machine cycles, wash parameters, weight, and garment counts — in paper logs or digital systems for traceability and reporting.
  • Follow client-specific laundering requirements (temperature limits, chemical restrictions, PPE removal procedures) and industry standards for infection control when processing healthcare or hospitality uniforms.
  • Adhere to health, safety, and environmental regulations: use PPE, manage chemical waste, maintain housekeeping, and perform spill response according to company protocols.
  • Participate in quality assurance audits and implement corrective actions for non-conformances, maintaining metrics for rewash rates, damage rates, and client complaints.
  • Label and inventory reusable uniforms and track serialized or barcode-tagged garments through scanning and stock reconciliation; coordinate with inventory teams for shortages, repairs, or retirements.
  • Support pickup and delivery coordination by verifying order manifests, verifying counts, and staging outgoing loads for drivers or internal transfer according to scheduled routes.
  • Assist with training new operators on machine operation, spotting techniques, quality expectations, and safety practices to build team capability and consistency.
  • Implement and suggest process improvements to reduce processing time, chemical consumption, or garment damage — e.g., adjust cycle parameters, modify loading practices, or suggest equipment upgrades.
  • Handle special processing requests such as solvent cleaning, heat-setting, flame-retardant reactivation, or barrier laundry cycles for protective garments while following regulatory and manufacturer guidance.
  • Maintain neat, readable documentation and complete shift handover notes detailing outstanding work, machine issues, and special client instructions for continuity between shifts.
  • Ensure accurate segregation and disposition of lost, unclaimed, or customer-damaged garments; coordinate customer notifications or repair workflows when required.
  • Monitor linen and uniform return rates and flag unusual shrinkage or loss trends to supervisors for investigation and resolution.
  • Support sterilization or infection-control cycles for clinical or food-service uniforms, documenting cycle parameters and certifying compliance with client health requirements.
  • Participate in continuous safety improvement initiatives, hazard identification, and near-miss reporting to reduce workplace incidents and improve operational reliability.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and contractual requirements (OSHA, local health codes, environmental permits) and support external client or regulatory inspections.
  • Execute end-of-day sanitation tasks, including draining, descaling, and detergent line purging where specified, to preserve equipment performance and product quality.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in inventory replenishment of consumables (detergents, softeners, tags, packaging materials) and notify procurement of low-stock items.
  • Collaborate with logistics and customer service teams to resolve order discrepancies, provide status updates, and prioritize urgent customer requests (rush orders).
  • Support cross-functional projects such as pilot testing of new detergents, evaluating finishing technologies, or implementing lean manufacturing practices.
  • Participate in workplace training sessions on equipment upgrades, chemical safety, and updated client specifications or uniforms.
  • Conduct basic data entry into the facility management or ERP system for garment registration, repairs, and scrap reporting.
  • Provide feedback to the quality and maintenance teams on recurring issues impacting throughput or garment integrity.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Operation and setup of industrial laundry machinery: tunnel washers, washer-extractors, continuous batch washers, dryers, ironers, presses, folders, and conveyor systems.
  • Chemical dosing and handling expertise: safe use of detergents, bleaches, softeners, disinfectants, with knowledge of SDS interpretation.
  • Garment inspection, stain identification, and professional spotting/pretreatment techniques across cottons, synthetics, blends, and specialty fabrics.
  • Basic mechanical troubleshooting: adjustments, routine preventative maintenance, filter cleaning, and coordination of repairs.
  • Familiarity with barcode/RFID labeling systems and digital inventory/asset tracking tools (WMS/ERP basics).
  • Understanding of industrial pressing and finishing processes, including steam systems and heat-setting.
  • Knowledge of health, safety, and environmental compliance: PPE, chemical storage, hazardous waste disposal, and infection control protocols.
  • Material handling proficiency, including safe use of pallet jacks and trolleys; forklift certification a plus.
  • Ability to read and follow technical work instructions, production schedules, and client-specific processing guides.
  • Competence with standard production documentation: batch logs, QC checklists, and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and quality orientation to consistently meet client standards and reduce rewash or damage rates.
  • Time management and reliability to maintain production targets and shift continuity.
  • Clear verbal and written communication for handovers, incident reporting, and client instructions.
  • Teamwork and collaboration in a multi-shift, production-focused environment.
  • Problem-solving mindset to identify root causes and implement practical process improvements.
  • Adaptability to changing schedules, client requirements, and new equipment or chemical protocols.
  • Accountability and integrity when handling customer property and confidential information.
  • Customer-focused attitude with a willingness to support rush or special requests to maintain service levels.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent with basic numeracy and literacy.

Preferred Education:

  • Certificate or diploma in textile technology, industrial laundry operations, manufacturing, or related trade school certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Textile Technology
  • Industrial Maintenance / Mechanical
  • Facilities Management
  • Occupational Health & Safety
  • Hospitality or Facility Services Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–5 years in laundry, textile processing, or manufacturing environments.

Preferred: 1–3 years of hands-on experience operating industrial laundry machinery, commercial pressing/finishing equipment, or textile production lines; experience in healthcare or hospitality uniform processing highly desirable.

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