Your new role
About the role:
We're looking for Trainee Sewing Machinists to join our manufacturing team in Doncaster. No sewing experience? No problem. We'll give you all the training and support you need to develop into a skilled Sewing Machinist, creating high-quality sofa covers that become part of the furniture our customers love.
Whether you've worked in manufacturing, textiles, production, upholstery, or simply have great attention to detail and enjoy hands-on work, this could be the perfect opportunity to learn a new trade.
Here’s what we offer:
Imagine finishing your working week while others are only halfway through theirs.
Our 4-day afternoon shift gives you three days off every week – that's a long weekend, every weekend. You'll also enjoy a two-week shutdown every July at the start of the summer holidays, a week off at Christmas, and we don't work bank holidays, giving you even more time to relax, recharge and spend with the people who matter the most.
Once you've successfully completed your training, you'll move onto our performance-related pay structure, giving you the opportunity to increase your earnings. The more you develop your skills and performance, the greater your earning potential.
It's a shift pattern designed to help you achieve a better work-life balance giving you more time for you, and the chance to earn more as your skills grow – there's always room for more at DFS.
The Highlights
Competitive Pay & Work-Life Balance: With a great training rate to get you started and a reliable schedule, leading to a strong annual earning potential including uncapped commission.
Working hours :39 hours per week - Monday to Wednesday 2:00 pm – 12:20 am , Thursday 2:00 pm – 11:05 pm
Location - Lincoln House, Alfreton DE55 4QQ
Growth and Training: Learn new skills and develop your career with us.
There’s more…
Generous holiday allowance – the time you need to rest and relax and the longer you’re with us, the more time you’ll get.
Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave: to give you the time you need to settle in with your new family member.
Discounts: Get 30% off DFS and Sofology products for yourself, plus discounts for friends and family – and savings at big brands like Sainsbury’s, ASOS, and IKEA.
Wellbeing Perks: Access healthcare services, an Employee Assistance Programme, and discounted gym memberships.
Pension and Savings: Join our Group Pension and Sharesave schemes.
Life Assurance & Sick Pay: Peace of mind with Life Assurance and Company Sick Pay.
What you'll be doing:
Learning to operate industrial sewing machines safely and confidently.
Sewing high-quality fabric and leather sofa covers to exact specifications.
Reading patterns and following production instructions accurately.
Carrying out quality checks to ensure every product meets DFS standards.
Working towards productivity and quality targets as your skills develop.
Keeping your work area clean, safe and organised.
Working closely with your colleagues to keep production moving smoothly.
This role is for you if you...
Enjoy practical, hands-on work and love learning new skills.
Take pride in producing high-quality work and have a great eye for detail.
Can stay focused and maintain accuracy, even when carrying out repetitive tasks.
Have good hand-eye coordination and enjoy working with your hands.
Follow instructions carefully and always aim to do the job right.
Enjoy being part of a supportive team where everyone works together to achieve great results.
Bring a positive attitude, a willingness to learn and a strong work ethic.
Have experience using an industrial sewing machine or working in a manufacturing environment – although this isn't essential, as we'll provide full training.
Our Commitment to Inclusion:
We’re committed to a culture where everyone feels welcome, valued, and can thrive at work. We celebrate diverse voices, champion inclusion, and support each other through our growing colleague networks. We invest in partnerships that drive change, from introducing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and supporting Doncaster Pride, to partnering with Carers UK and developing leaders with Diversity in Retail.
We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. So, if your experience doesn't quite match the specification, we'd still really love to hear from you.
(All roles are subject to satisfactory DBS checks.)