Embroidery Department Lead (Wilcom / Industrial Embroidery)

Embroidery Department Lead (Wilcom / Industrial Embroidery)

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £15.00–£18.00 per hour (dependent on experience)

About Us

Rising Star Designs is one of the world’s leading Irish dance costume manufacturers, creating bespoke championship costumes for dancers across Ireland, the UK, North America, Australia and beyond.

Every costume we produce is unique. Designed in-house and handcrafted by our talented team, our costumes are recognised globally for their originality, quality and attention to detail.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Embroidery Department Lead to oversee our embroidery production department and help bring our designers’ visions to life.

The Role

This is a hands-on position responsible for managing and operating our embroidery department, which consists of five industrial Happy embroidery machines.

Working closely with our design and production teams, you will coordinate embroidery schedules, prepare designs for production, monitor quality standards and ensure embroidery work is completed efficiently and accurately.

No two projects are the same. Every costume features unique embroidery elements and custom artwork, making this an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys creative challenges and precision craftsmanship.

Key Responsibilities

• Operating and overseeing five industrial Happy embroidery machines
• Preparing embroidery files and organising production schedules
• Monitoring embroidery quality and maintaining exceptional standards
• Working closely with designers to translate artwork into embroidery production
• Managing embroidery workflow to meet production deadlines
• Troubleshooting machine and production issues
• Maintaining embroidery equipment and ensuring efficient operation
• Organising threads, fabrics, stabilisers and embroidery materials
• Assisting with continuous improvement of embroidery processes and workflow

Essential Skills

• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Positive, proactive attitude
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced production environment
• Pride in producing high-quality work

Highly Desirable Experience

• Commercial embroidery experience
• Experience operating industrial embroidery machines
• Experience using Happy embroidery machines
• Wilcom digitising experience
• Experience creating or editing embroidery files
• Textile, garment manufacturing or fashion industry experience

Salary will reflect relevant embroidery and digitising experience.

What Makes This Different?

This is not standard commercial logo embroidery.

Every project is custom designed and created for a specific dancer competing at regional, national and world championship level. Your work will be seen on stages around the world and become part of some of the most distinctive costumes in Irish dancing.

If you are passionate about embroidery, creativity, craftsmanship and attention to detail, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Free on-site parking
• Company pension
• Casual dress
• Creative and supportive working environment
• Opportunity to work on internationally recognised costume designs

Apply now with your CV and a short covering letter outlining your experience and interest in the role.

Pay: £15.00-£18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Experience:

• Industrial Embroidery: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person