Trim Uppers

About the role

Department: Fitting. Reports to: Fitting Supervisor. Individual contributor, full-time (40–55 hours/week). Location: 40 Walter Jones Blvd., El Paso, TX 79906. Effective date: 08-24-2026.

At Lucchese, craftsmanship is the foundation of our brand. As a trim upper associate, the employee is responsible for sanding and trimming excessive lining material from the uppers using a sanding machine or a utility knife. This role requires strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain a fast-paced, production-driven manufacturing environment while contributing to production flow.

Scope: Trimming uppers on a cowboy boot involves removing excess material from the side of the boot to ensure a clean, precise fit. The process includes starting the machine, positioning the workpiece on the feed roller beneath the cutter guard, and inspecting leather pieces to ensure proper trimming before boots advance to the next production stage.

Responsibilities

• Obtain upper box from previous department and place at workstation.
• Retrieve one upper piece at a time, place on table, and cut or sand excessive lining.
• Place clean-cut uppers in a box; move completed boxes to the next workstation.
• Sharpen knives using knife sharpening equipment.
• Keep workstation organized and compliant with safety guidelines.
• Meet daily production targets while maintaining quality expectations.
• Follow all safety guidelines.
• Comply with all company safety policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local occupational safety regulations.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and hazard awareness; ensure consistent use of required PPE and safe work practices.
• Conduct routine safety observations, workplace inspections, and housekeeping activities to identify and address potential hazards.
• Immediately report, investigate, and document workplace injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions, and safety incidents; implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure required safety training is completed and reinforce compliance with established safety procedures.
• Support emergency preparedness activities, including evacuation procedures, emergency response protocols, and safety drills.
• Stop or suspend work when an unsafe condition presents an immediate risk; promptly notify management.
• Maintain a clean, organized, hazard-free work area per 5S and housekeeping standards.
• Maintain consistent output aligned with departmental productivity standards.
• Minimize rework by adhering to process specifications and visual inspection standards.
• Demonstrate flexibility to rotate stations without compromising efficiency or quality.
• Ensure all products meet Lucchese quality standards and customer expectations.
• Reinforce adherence to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); prevent unauthorized process changes and escalate improvement opportunities through appropriate approval processes.
• Partner with Quality and Manufacturing leadership to investigate root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve processes, workflow, and quality.

Skills

• Excellent visual acuity to inspect finished components for quality compliance.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders and production instructions.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to multitask and transition between operations efficiently.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, production-driven manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience in boot or footwear manufacturing preferred.
• Ability to operate production machinery and hand tools.
• Good hand-eye coordination and attention to detail.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks.
• Ability to follow instructions and meet production and quality requirements.
• Commitment to workplace safety and teamwork.
• Willingness to assist other work areas as directed by management.

Requirements

• Ability to work standing for extended periods of 8-hour shifts.
• Frequent use of hands and wrists for repetitive motions.
• Must be able to lift and push 50 pounds as needed.
• Ability to reach, bend, and perform repetitive production tasks.
• Ability to sit continuously for a minimum of eight-hour shifts.
• Frequent repetitive hand and finger movement.
• Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, and reach above shoulder level.
• Ability to frequently use hands and fingers to handle, grasp, operate tools, equipment, keyboards, and other production-related devices.
• Ability to visually inspect products, equipment, production processes, and workplace conditions (close and distance vision).
• Ability to hear and respond to verbal instructions, alarms, and other workplace communications.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds; with or without