1st Shift Machine Operator-Hand Enterer

Steel Partners is looking for a hands-on, on-site 1st Shift Hand Enterer to join its Anderson, South Carolina team. The role centers on preparing warp drawings and getting looms ready for weaving, with a focus on accurate setup and careful manual work. It’s a steady, full-time position that suits someone who enjoys practical tasks and takes pride in precision on the factory floor.

The person in this role will spend each day setting up harnesses and drawing warp ends by hand, following the drawing schedule and tailoring the loom frame and heddles to the specific warp styles. You’ll check drafts, construction sheets, and master cards to ensure the loom is prepared for upcoming warps, adjusting as needed for different loom types and frames. The work blends hands-on setup with careful reading of specifications, and it requires physical effort such as bending, standing, pulling, and lifting moderate weight as you move through the setup process.

Day-To-Day Responsibilities For A 1st Shift Hand Enterer

On the shop floor, you’ll translate drawings into ready-to-run looms by assembling the correct harnesses and preparing warp ends according to the loom’s configuration. You’ll verify that each warp’s preparation aligns with the schedule, making frame- and heddle-based adjustments so future warps can be drawn by hand with accuracy. The role emphasizes following written instructions and maintaining steady, independent work habits to keep production moving smoothly.

Safety and accuracy are key, as is the ability to work without constant supervision. The job blends technical reading with physical tasks, so you’ll use basic math and writing skills to document steps, all while maintaining good vision and focus to avoid misreads in drafts or construction sheets. The position is onsite, requiring direct interaction with loom equipment and daily hands-on setup duties.

Who Is The Right Candidate For This Hand Enterer Role

• Must Be Able to Read, Understand, & Follow Written Instructions, Construction Sheet, master cards, and Weave Draft.
• Must Be Able to Lift Moderate Weight.
• Writing, basic math skills, good vision, computer.
• Bending, Standing, and Pulling.
• Capacity to work independently to a degree.

• Experience with loom setup or hand entering warp ends would be a bonus.
• Familiarity with weave drafts or construction sheets as part of daily work would help you hit the ground running.

Compensation, Benefits and Practical Details For This Role

The position offers a salary range of 19.55, with on-site work in Anderson, SC on a 1st shift schedule. The employer provides a broad benefits package designed to support employees and their families, including Medical, Dental, and Vision with wellness incentives, plus company-provided life insurance and short-term disability coverage. Additional benefits include critical care and telehealth options, FSA/HSA and Employee Assistance Program, and a 401K plan with company match. A Tuition Reimbursement program of up to 5K annually is also available, along with Annual Incentive Plans for hourly and salaried staff and referral bonuses. Employees receive paid holidays, first-year vacation and sick leave, and access to employee discounts. There are multiple recognition programs and engagement events, and the company supports Steel Sports Sponsorship for youth athletic coaches with flexible schedules for practices and games.

These details reflect the full-time, on-site nature of the role in Anderson and the employer’s commitment to a stable, supportive workplace culture that prioritizes both skill development and work-life balance.

Advice For Applicants For This Hand Enterer Role

Lead with your hands-on weaving or loom-related experience. Put any work that involved reading weave drafts, construction sheets, or master cards front and center on your resume so the hiring team sees you can translate drawings into ready-to-run equipment.

When you describe your qualifications, make sure to highlight times you followed written instructions and schedules to set up gear. If you’ve set up harnesses by loom type or built frames for future warps, share a concrete example that shows you can work with the schedule and adjust as needed.

Be ready to discuss the physical aspects of the job, like lifting moderate weight and performing tasks that require bending, standing, and pulling. Talk about a situation where you worked with some independence, stayed focused on safety, and still delivered accurate results on a tight schedule.

Consider asking about the loom types and warp styles the site handles most often, and how the team tracks drafts and construction sheets in practice. A good opening question: What loom types do you work with daily, and how do you manage different frames and heddles when preparing warps?