Plume Assembler / Milliner

VARSITY SPIRIT, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY - THE DRIVING FORCE IN SPIRIT ACROSS CHEER, DANCE AND BAND

For over 50 years, Varsity Spirit has been the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team and performing arts. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit’s 5,000 employees are dedicated to celebrating school spirit. A leader in apparel innovation, educational camps, clinics, and competitions, Varsity Spirit impacts more than a million athletes each year.

Your Opportunity:

Varsity Spirit is looking for a Plume Assembler/Milliner to join our S.A. Feathers team in Fort Myers, FL. We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Plume Assembler.

In this role, you will be responsible for crafting feather and acrylic plumes used in a variety of applications, such as marching band, military, masonic and equestrian. The ideal candidate will possess a keen eye for detail, excellent hand-eye coordination, and a passion for creating visually stunning products.

Job Responsibilities

Feather Selection-Carefully select feathers of appropriate size, shape, and color to create visually appealing plumes, ensuring consistency and quality.

Assembly- Skillfully arrange feathers in a desired pattern or design, using techniques such as wrapping, layering, and trimming to achieve the desired aesthetic.

Attachment- Secure feathers together using various methods, such as tying, wiring or sewing, ensuring durability and stability of the finished plume.

Customization- Customize plumes according to specifications or design requirement incorporating additional elements such as layering, interspersing and mylars as needed.

Quality Control- Inspect finished plumes for any defects or imperfections, making necessary adjustments or repairs to maintain high quality standards.

Workspace Organization- Keep work area clean, organized, and free of clutter, ensuring efficient workflow and safe working conditions.

Collaboration- Coordinate with production manager, coworkers, and design team to understand project requirements and specifications, ensuring timely delivery of finished plumes.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong artistic flair and creativity, with the ability to conceptualize and execute unique designs.
• Meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship, with a focus on producing high-quality, visually appealing plumes.
• Excellent hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, necessary for intricate assembly.
• Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines while maintaining quality and accuracy.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate with team members and communicate effectively with supervisors.
• Willingness to learn new techniques and adapt to changing design trends.
• Genuine passion for the art of hand crafting and a commitment to producing exceptional work.

Physical Demands and/or Work Environment

While carrying out the duties of this job, the team member is required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The team member should have average hand strength and be able to cut, wrap and tie using fingers, hands, wrists, and elbows in a repetitive motion. The team member should be comfortable wearing a dust mask and safety glasses while assembling product. The team member should be able to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally work in a hot and humid environment.

Education, Certification and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Prior experience in sewing and technical/craft is preferred but not required. Willing to train motivated individuals.

Other Duties

On occasion, team members are asked to assist with feather steaming, quality control, seasonal cleaning, inventory, and warehouse receiving.

Take a look at what these creations of art look like by watching our video:

S.A. Feather - 2023 DCI Commercial (youtube.com)

S.A. Feather offers benefits including paid holidays, vacation and 401K with a company match.

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000 employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.

Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.

Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.

Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.

Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.

Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Employee Resource Groups
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.