Hours: Monday to Friday 40 hours per week. You are also required to work such additional hours as may be necessary for the proper performance of your duties or that may be required to fulfil role.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Lasting Room Operative, you will play a central role in the production of high-quality footwear, working within one of the most skilled and technically demanding areas of the factory. You will be responsible for shaping and securing the upper to the insole and last, forming the foundation of the finished shoe or boot. Precision, consistency, and care are essential at every stage.
Why Join Us
Ken Hall Ltd is one of the few remaining footwear manufacturers in Northamptonshire that produces all their manufacturing processes in-house. with production capability across both welted and cemented construction methods. You will be joining a skilled team with a long heritage in British shoemaking, at an exciting time as the business grows into new markets with an exciting development of Newman & Regent, our new British heritage footwear brand crafting Goodyear welted boots and shoes built to last a lifetime.
This role would be suitable for anyone who has experience in toe lasting or welt sewing and is willing to learn the full lasting and welting process from beginning to end.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Operate lasting machinery including back part moulder, toe laster, seat laster, and side/heel lasting equipment
- Perform hand lasting techniques where required, particularly on complex or bespoke constructions
- Ensure accurate hammer and tack work where applicable to traditional construction methods
- Work across Goodyear welted and cement constructions as required
- Carry out quality checks throughout the lasting process, identifying and correcting faults before they progress down the line
- Maintain machinery in good working order, reporting faults or wear promptly to the supervisor
- Handle a range of materials including leather, synthetic uppers, and technical fabrics with care to avoid damage or marking
- Work to daily production targets while maintaining quality standards
- Keep the work area clean, organised, and compliant with health and safety requirements
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Previous experience in a shoe factory or footwear manufacturing environment
- Familiarity with lasting machinery and hand lasting techniques
- Experience operating back part moulding equipment, or willingness to train on it
- Good manual dexterity and attention to detail
- Ability to work at pace while maintaining consistent quality
- Understanding of shoe construction principles
Desirable
- Experience with Goodyear welt construction
- Experience in welt sewing, rough rounding and sole stitching
- Knowledge of orthopaedic or bespoke footwear production
- Experience across multiple lasting methods (toe, seat, side)
- Familiarity with thermoplastic and leather stiffener materials and their respective moulding requirements
- Understanding of how back part shape affects lasting alignment and finished heel seat quality
- Ability to read and interpret production cards and specifications
The above list of responsibilities is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope of the post.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Takes pride in the quality of their work
- Reliable and punctual with a strong work ethic
- Works well as part of a team
- Communicates clearly and proactively flags issues
- Willingness to learn and adapt across different product types
WHAT WE OFFER
Remuneration: We offer a competitive salary
Holiday: 24 days holiday + 8 days statutory.
Pension: Statutory Pension contribution.
Development: We are committed to investing in our people, so we invest in you. Development is in your hands, and we want to enable this so your progression at Bennie is only limited by what you want to achieve
Finally, Our long-standing family tradition, of giving staff a Christmas turkey
Work Location: In person
