Job Description

Job Title:

Carding Operative

Responsible to:

Yarn Manufacturing Team Leader



We are currently recruiting for a Carding Operative to join our busy Yarn Manufacturing Department. We currently have a vacancy available involving a range of tasks including, operating and patrolling carding machines which produce pre-spun yarn slubbing's from dyed/undyed and operate and patrol carding machines which produce teazed loose stock.



This is a full-time, permanent position working 38 hours per week on a three-shift rotation (early, back, and night). All the training for the role will be provided.



Rate of pay starting from 13.08 per hour, increasing to 13.45 in May 2026.

About the role:

As a Carding Operative here at Johnstons of Elgin, your key responsibilities will include:



Undertake machine related duties. Collect bales from Carding Store and take to carding machine. Open bales of teased loose stock and load by hand into micro-weigh hopper at end of machine. Switch on machine, printer and alarm on microweigh and process stock through machine until half-way. Stop machine and call for Supervisor to prepare for run. When authority is given by Supervisor to run batch, load up empty spools at end of machine, set meter clock and start run. Feed hopper during process to ensure a continuous flow of loose stock. Patrol machines during operation, observing for faults, production problems, etc (ie 8 machines/4 postholders). Replace spools when full (ie remove, stack in racks at side then load empty spools to machine, resetting clock). Unwind 10 metres of yarn slubbings from 1 spool, take to scales and weigh for tex count (ie grams per 1 thousand metres). Write details on clipboard for record purposes. In the event of the tex count being outwith the limits set, then advise Supervisor who will, in turn, suggest the level of resetting required on machine by postholder. In the event of slubbings coming through wrong point at machine end, tear back the resultant faulty slubbings from spool then amend to correct fault recurring. Pick, clean and oil machine between new batches, or, should a batch exceed 24 hours on machine, then pick and clean every 24 hours. Gather waste from cleaning operation and place in waste container. Take container to waste store when finished. Undertake a minor fettle of machine when required (eg colour changes), cleaning swifts and doffers only. Undertake a major fettle of machine twice weekly, stripping and cleaning down entire machine, including wire clad rollers.

About you

This is what we're looking for in our ideal candidate:

Have the ability to carefully and accurately follow verbal and detailed written instructions Take pride in doing a job well, and never compromise on high standards Be a team player with good communication skills Have excellent colour vision Organised and reliable Have good numeracy skills

About Us



Founded in 1797, Johnstons of Elgin is an innovative, luxury clothing brand celebrating 225 years of experience in working with the world's finest fibres. Across three centuries, our family-owned company has carefully sources cashmere and fine woollen fibres from around the world, applying the latest technology and highest quality craft expertise in our very own vertical Scottish mills. Employing over 1,000 staff, our valued employees and communities are at the heart of everything we do, producing unique, high-quality designs that are made to last. Our brand is focused on sustainability, working with natural, renewable, and biodegradable fibres and we are committed to maintaining a minimal environmental footprint.



Johnstons of Elgin is proud to be an equal opportunity employer wholeheartedly supporting the principles of equality and diversity to build an inclusive workforce. Our aim is to embed diversity and inclusion in everything we do to create an environment where our employees feel safe to be their whole authentic self without having to downplay or change parts of their identity. We celebrate diversity in all its forms, which goes beyond those characteristics protected by law to include everything that makes us unique, from our backgrounds and experiences to our personalities and ways of thinking.



We endeavour to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and encourage any candidate who requires assistance to contact us at hr@johnstonsofelgin.com.



Don't meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement or qualification. At Johnstons of Elgin, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but think your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.



Please note all applicants must be able to provide evidence of their right to remain and take up paid employment in country job is based.



Closing date - Wednesday, 28 January 2026