Our opportunities

When you come to work at Sudbury Silk Mills you join a team of passionate people with incredible knowledge who work together to achieve great things.

Whether you are interested in weaving, finance, mechanical engineering or design there is a vast range of roles at Sudbury Silk Mills. You can find our current vacancies below and explore examples of roles within the mill that may become available in the future. You can look at the testimonials page to read what the people doing those roles enjoy the most.

We are looking for a Winding Operative to join our established Operations team on a 6-month fixed-term contract. This role is 20 hours per week, ideally worked across 5 days, and offers the opportunity to work in a supportive environment with a real emphasis on shared values and continuous improvement.

About us

Creative, contemporary craftsmanship is the foundation for manufacturing luxury fabrics here at our mill in Sudbury, Suffolk, England. Our people are firmly at the heart of everything we do, and our culture is one where your passion can thrive, your skills can flourish, and your contributions can make a tangible difference. We are proud to be OEKO-TEX® STeP accredited and recipients of a King’s Award for Sustainable Development.

The Role

The best part of working at Sudbury Silk Mills is that no day is the same. However, to give you an idea of what your new career may include:

• Rewinding and winding a variety of yarns to specified lengths and requirements, maximising dyelot yield and reducing waste.

• Operating, monitoring and maintaining winding machinery, escalating faults promptly to minimise downtime and maintain productivity.

• Ensuring yarn is correctly identified, labelled and stored safely to maintain stock accuracy and prevent batch mixing.

• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, efficiency and lead times across the Supply Chain and Operations teams.

• Working closely with colleagues in yarn stores, testing, dye works, production planning and technical teams to meet customer and business requirements.

What you will bring

In order to join our team, you will need:

• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Good problem-solving abilities and the ability to prioritise workloads effectively.

• An understanding of technical specifications and requirements, with a flexible approach to work.

Even if you do not meet all the above requirements but possess the below attributes, we would love to hear from you!

To succeed in the role, you will need:

• A proactive and positive attitude.

• A willingness to learn and continuously develop new skills.

• A commitment to teamwork, safety and continuous improvement.

Looking after you

There are many benefits available to our people including financial benefits such as company-funded life insurance (4x salary), profit sharing scheme and salary sacrifice holiday purchase scheme. Along with more social benefits such as company organised social events, internal crafting clubs and involvement on the staff committee.

There are too many benefits to mention, so we have created this helpful guide to assist you.

About Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Sudbury Silk Mills we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that the success of our Company is built on the talent, creativity and perspectives of all individuals, and we actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

We actively seek out diverse individuals who are dedicated to our values of building a great place to work.

If you need any adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to assist you. We value diversity and encourage you to bring your unique experiences to our team.

If you are excited about being part of the world-renowned Sudbury Silk industry, please send a covering letter and CV to hr@sudburysilkmills.co.uk by 24 September 2026.

All candidates must have an existing right to work in the UK as we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship.

To recruitment agencies: we appreciate your interest in our business, but we have chosen to use direct means to recruit to this role. Should we choose to work with you, we will contact you directly, but please do not contact us to discuss this role.

We’re always interested to hear from passionate people

People do tend to stay with us once they join, so you won’t always see vacancies advertised. Even if there aren’t any current vacancies, we are always interested to hear from passionate people. If you are looking for your next opportunity and you think Sudbury Silk Mills sounds like a great place to work, please contact us at hr@sudburysilkmills.co.uk

Who we are looking for?

Whatever role you are interested in, there are some things that are important for every role. Everyone at Sudbury Silk Mills is part of a team that are involved in improvements, with a commitment to finding ways to do things better.

If this sounds like you, you will be at home at Sudbury Silk Mills:
> I am self-motivated.
> I am curious and want to learn.
> I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others.
> I enjoy finding better ways to do something.
> I take pride in being part of a team.
> I enjoy celebrating success.

Lady working at Sudbury Silk Mills
Working at Sudbury Silk Mills

Our recruitment process

We pride ourselves on a transparent and fair recruitment process. We respond to every application, even if you haven’t been successful. Interviews are conducted by line managers and there is an opportunity to meet the team before you join us.

We advertise all roles internally, on our website, and in local job centres as well as carefully selected recruitment agencies. Due to the specialist nature of what we do, we form a close relationship with our recruitment agencies, spending time with them at the mill so they get a good feel for the type of person we are looking for.

We have seen many successful recruitments come from recommendation, so we offer a reward scheme for people who work at the mill, when they recommend someone to come and join our team.

Life at Sudbury Silk Mills

Welcome to Sudbury Silk Mills, a place where creativity, innovation and collaboration meets. Take a glimpse into a day at Sudbury Silk Mills, by reading our team testimonials, and you’ll see the heart of our community: a diverse range people working hand-in-hand to ensure excellence and success.

Whilst there’s an understanding that the work is important, enjoying the journey is equally vital and even the most intricate processes are approached with a sense of lightness. History, craftsmanship, collaboration, fun, and family—these are the words that represent the essence of this remarkable place.

Why work for us

Sudbury Silk Mills is a leading fabric manufacturer with a unique combination of global ambition and local community connection.

A place where your passion can thrive, your skills can flourish, and your contributions can make a tangible difference. If you’re seeking a workplace that combines creativity, collaboration, and fulfilment, then joining Sudbury Silk Mills could be the next step in your career journey.

We will take care of your career here at Sudbury Silk Mills. Why not talk to us today?

Telephone 01787 372266