Job Title: Darning and Purling Shift Leader
Responsible to: Head of Fabric
We are currently looking for a Shift Leader to oversee our busy Darning and Purling departments.
This is a full time, permanent post working an average of 38 hours a week over a two-shift rotation (early and late shifts, rotating weekly). Rate of pay is starting from £15.50 per hour, dependant on technical and leadership experience, along with shift pay allowance.
About the Role:
As a Shift Leader you will be responsible for overseeing and maintaining smooth production flow within the two departments, ensuring targets are achieved by leading the team to optimize operational efficiency and uphold all compliance standards.
Your key responsibilities will include:Delivery:
- Achieve production targets by prioritizing work in line with the department’s production plan.
- Optimize operational efficiency to maximize output and minimise waste.
- Ensure quality standards consistently meet required specifications.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across processes and workflows.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and orderly department at all times.
- Ensure planned and preventative maintenance is completed as scheduled.
- Apply problem-solving techniques to support effective decision-making.
- Deputize for the Head of Department when required.
- Maintain cost control within the department.
- Monitor team performance, address issues promptly, and implement capability or disciplinary procedures when necessary.
- Uphold a duty of care for health and safety, ensuring compliance with all regulations.
- Conduct recruitment, onboarding, one-to-one meetings, and personal development reviews (PDRs).
- Manage absence, including holidays and sickness, in line with company policy.
- Oversee training and development, acting as assessor and/or verifier where required.
- Ensure all team members are competent and meet productivity standards as per competency requirements.
- Maintain effective communication through shift meetings, whiteboards, and handovers.
Leadership Behaviours:
- Engage hearts and minds to inspire commitment and motivation.
- Show personal humility and vulnerability, fostering trust and openness.
- Prioritise the common good over self-interest.
- Actively encourage connection and collaboration across teams.
- Demonstrate courage to challenge and drive change where needed.
- Listen, reflect, and integrate diverse perspectives into decision-making.
- Take responsibility for excellence and performance in all areas.
- Value expertise and promote knowledge sharing within the organisation.
About You
We are looking for a confident, proactive leader who can inspire their team and drive strong operational performance. You will have:
- A strong willingness to learn and a commitment to continuous personal development
- A natural ability to motive, guide and support the team, leading by example
- Clear and confident communication across all shifts
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively
- A genuine interest in improving processes and helping the department’s grow
- Confidence in handling people matters with fairness and care
- A sense of ownership – caring about doing a good job and helping others to do the same
- An understanding of how your department contributes to the wider business
- A collaborative mindset and a willingness to work closely with other teams.
- A commitment to living to our leadership behaviours and supporting positive team culture
Desirable experience:
- Previous leadership experience
- Experience in Darning, Purling, textiles or a similar production environment would be a huge advantage
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
[email protected].
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 – Friday, 26 June 2026
