Senior Leather Professional

The Association pour l'Assurance Qualité des Fabricants de Bracelets Cuir (AQC) is a forward-thinking organisation based in Neuchatel, Switzerland. Its small team is made up of dynamic, motivated people with a strong spirit of mutual support.

Vision and Missions

• Ensure the smooth running of the association and implement assigned projects.
• Verify chemical conformity of materials used in commercial productions and assigned projects by the Board.
• Act as Traceability Process Owner.
• SUPPORT INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL AUDITS AND CERTIFICATIONS.

Key Responsibilities :

Mission 1 : Smooth Running of the Association

• Contribute to strategy development and organisation with statutory bodies according to established processes.
• Establish and ensure proper budget execution according to established processes.
• Report to the Board on entrusted projects.
• Participate in meetings with other team members, technical working groups, and the Board.
• Manage relations and contracts with external service providers within scope.
• Develop external relations and represent the association and its members.
• Inform AQC members and stakeholders about current and proposed regulatory requirements and their impact.

MISSION 2 : Chemical Compliance

• Define test policy and control plans for components and finished products.
• Responsible for sampling, sending to laboratory, reviewing reports, and summarising in databases.
• Manage non-conformities (investigations and associated action plans).
• Monitor regulations and provide recommendations to prepare for future requirements.
• Analyse brand requests received from members.
• Define RoadMap objectives.
• Manage Supply Chain Mapping system and annual delivery.
• Ensure regulatory and technology monitoring.
• Lead technical committees.
• Participate in traceability projects.

MISSION 4 : Credibility

• Act as Physical Test Harmonization and Standardization Process Owner : Define RoadMap objectives; Lead harmonization of methods with AQC members, Watch Brands, and Standardization Committees; Ensure regulatory and technology monitoring; Lead Harmonization Technical Committee; Provide technical support to members; manage production of synthetic sweats, chrome VI quick test kits, and other reagents.
• Support definition of certification requirements with members (specifications, audit questionnaires, etc.) based on current and proposed regulatory context, as well as watch brand needs.
• Update rules for evaluating leather suppliers.
• Annually update assessments of leather suppliers, inform recipients, and manage distribution of proofs (such as badges).
• Organise and carry out laboratories visits.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in science, ideally leather and / or chemistry.
• Excellent command of English and French, Italian is an advantage.
• Team management, team spirit, and project management.
• Organisation and preparation of meetings and events. Neat presentation (oral / written).
• Comfortable dealing and negotiating with multiple stakeholders.
• Understanding legislative and regulatory aspects.
• Data and database management.
• IT tools (advantage) : database, no code (Make, Zapier, PowerAutomat), Python.

Experience

• At least 5 years significant experience in leather and leather goods (manufacturing, supply chain, testing…).