BONZ is one of New Zealand's longest-standing luxury apparel brands, crafting premium shearling garments, knitwear, leather goods and homewares since 1972. All of our products are made by hand in our Invercargill factory. www.bonz.com
We are looking for a Cutter to join our factory team. This is a skilled, hands-on role at the very start of the production line. The quality of every garment we make depends on the skins being read, laid and cut properly, so this is a position we take seriously and will invest in.
We are open to experienced cutters and to people with a steady hand and a good eye who are keen to learn the trade properly. Full training is provided.
About the Role
Your day-to-day will involve:
Reading patterns and working out the best way to cut each garment from the skins available
Inspecting shearling and leather skins for grade, nap direction, stretch and flaws, and matching skins within a garment
Laying patterns to get the most out of every skin while working around imperfections
Cutting shearling and leather accurately by hand and with cutting tools
Marking and bundling cut pieces so they move cleanly to the sewing team
Keeping accurate records of skin usage and cut work in our ERP system
Looking after your tools and workspace
Skins are our most expensive material. A good Cutter saves the business real money on every garment through careful planning and minimal waste, and this is where the role earns its keep.
What We're Looking For
We are after someone who:
Has good hand skills and a natural eye for shape, line and fit
Is patient and precise, and does not cut corners to save time
Can concentrate for long stretches on detailed work
Is comfortable with basic measuring and working from patterns
Is happy using a computer for simple record keeping
Is reliable, punctual and takes pride in their work
Experience cutting leather, shearling, fabric or upholstery is a real advantage. So is a background in a trade that rewards precision, such as joinery, sign writing, tailoring or pattern making. If you have none of these but you are careful, practical and want to learn a craft, we would still like to hear from you.
This is not a high-drama environment. We value people who turn up, do the job properly and support the wider team.
Why Join Us
Learn a genuine craft that very few people in New Zealand still practise
Be part of a long-standing New Zealand manufacturing business
Work in a small, skilled team producing handcrafted garments
Stable, full-time employment
Opportunity to grow into other areas of production over time
If you enjoy practical, detailed work and want to be part of making something that lasts, we'd like to hear from you.