Hand Last

Lucchese Bootmaker; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Lucchese Bootmaker is seeking a Hand Laster in El Paso, TX to craft high-quality cowboy boots. The role focuses on shaping uppers by hand, stretching leather, and ensuring a wrinkle-free fit on the last. It requires craftsmanship, precision, and adherence to Lucchese quality guidelines.

The position operates Monday–Friday, with overtime as needed, and emphasizes safety, accuracy, and teamwork to meet production goals.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Preferred bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Excellent people's skills.
• Ability to read and interpret detailed work orders.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to team goals.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, production-driven manufacturing environment.
• Passion and desire for excellence by consistently exceeding quality expectations.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks daily/weekly.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Analyze issues effectively.
• Identifies root causes of problems.
• Machine operation
• Teamwork
• Workplace safety awareness
• Maintains organized work processes.
• Share information effectively.
• Listen actively to team concerns.
• Build trust and credibility.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret production tickets and work orders prior to lasting.
• Prepare uppers, insoles, counters and toe boxes before lasting.
• Select the correct last size and style according to specifications.
• Position the upper, lining, and insole correctly onto the last.
• Hand-pull and stretch the leather evenly over the last to eliminate wrinkles.
• Secure the upper to the insole using tacks, cement, or lasting pincers as required.
• Shape the toe, heel, and vamp areas by hand to achieve the correct contour and fit.
• Inspect lasted uppers for smoothness, symmetry, and proper tension before moving to the next production stage.
• Handle exotic and premium leather carefully to prevent scratches, stretches.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized workstation.
• Support production goals while maintaining Lucchese quality standards.
• Comply with all safety, environmental, and company policies. Maintain accurate production and quality records.
• Ensure materials are handled and stored properly.
• Follow all workplace safety policies and wear required PPE.
• Keep the work area clean and organized according to 5S standards.
• Report equipment malfunctions, quality issues, or safety concerns to the supervisor.
• Work collaboratively with team members to achieve production goals.
• Select the correct last by style, size and width according to the work order.
• Assist in other areas as needed when directed by managers to meet production needs

Skills

Bilingual Spanish/English

Communication skills

Read & interpret work orders

Attention to detail

Mechanical aptitude

Time management

Teamwork

Customer/product quality focus

Problem solving

Adaptability

Safety awareness

Accountability

Fast-paced environment

Leadership potential

Planning

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Hand Last

Full Time Production El Paso, TX, US

Job Description

Job Title:Hand Last

Department Name: Lasting

Effective Date: 9/30/2026

Reports to (title): Lasting Supervisor

# of Direct Reports: 0

# Indirect Reports: 0

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

Average Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 6:00 – 2:30; Overtime and Saturdays When Required

Job Summary:

At Lucchese Bootmaker, craftsmanship defines our brand. The Hand Laster shapes and attaches the boot upper to the last (the foot-shaped form) by hand, pulling, stretching and tacking or cementing the leather to get a precise, wrinkle-free fit. The role requires skilled craftsmanship, attention to detail and a commitment to the quality standards of handcrafted Western boots.

Scope of job:

The Hand Laster is responsible for shaping cowboy boot uppers by hand, stretching and securing the leather over the last to establish the boot's foundational fit, structure, and silhouette. The scope of this role covers all hand-lasting operations from receiving the prepared upper through to producing a smooth, properly tensioned, wrinkle-free lasted boot ready for the next stage of production (typically bottoming/sole attachment). This includes last selection, positioning of upper/lining/insole, hand-pulling and tacking the leather, and final quality inspection of the lasted upper before handoff. The role does not extend to leather cutting, sole attachment, or finishing — it sits specifically at the lasting stage of the manufacturing process.

Duties/Responsibilities:

All responsibilities may be modified based on business needs.

• Read and interpret production tickets and work orders prior to lasting.
• Prepare uppers, insoles, counters and toe boxes before lasting.
• Select the correct last size and style according to specifications.
• Position the upper, lining, and insole correctly onto the last.
• Hand-pull and stretch the leather evenly over the last to eliminate wrinkles, gaps, or loose areas.
• Secure the upper to the insole using tacks, cement, or lasting pincers as required.
• Shape the toe, heel, and vamp areas by hand to achieve the correct contour and fit.
• Inspect lasted uppers for smoothness, symmetry, and proper tension before moving to the next production stage.
• Handle exotic and premium leather (e.g., ostrich, caiman, python, calfskin) carefully to prevent scratches, stretches.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized workstation.
• Support production goals while maintaining Lucchese quality standards.
• Comply with all safety, environmental, and company policies. Maintain accurate production and quality records.
• Ensure materials are handled and stored properly.
• Follow all workplace safety policies and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Keep the work area clean and organized according to 5S standards.
• Report equipment malfunctions, quality issues, or safety concerns to the supervisor.
• Work collaboratively with team members to achieve production goals. Select the correct last by style, size and width according to the work order.
• Assist in other areas as needed when directed by managers to meet production needs

Required Skills/ Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Preferred bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Excellent people's skills.
• Ability to read and interpret detailed work orders.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to team goals.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, production-driven manufacturing environment.
• Passion and desire for excellence by consistently exceeding quality expectations.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks daily/weekly.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Analyze issues effectively.
• Identifies root causes of problems.
• Machine operation
• Teamwork
• Workplace safety awareness
• Maintains organized work processes.
• Share information effectively.
• Listen actively to team concerns.
• Build trust and credibility.

Safety and Compliance:

• Comply with all company safety policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local occupational safety regulations.
• Lead by example in promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and hazard awareness throughout the production team.
• Ensure team members consistently use required personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow 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, implementing corrective and preventive actions as appropriate.
• Ensure employees receive required safety training and reinforce compliance with established safety procedures and safe operating practices.
• Support emergency preparedness activities, including evacuation procedures, emergency response protocols, and participation in safety drills.
• Stop or suspend work when an unsafe condition presents an immediate risk to employees, equipment, product quality, or the environment, and promptly notify management.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work area in accordance with 5S and housekeeping standards.

Quality & Process Excellence:

• Ensure all products meet Lucchese quality standards and customer expectations .
• Reinforce adherence to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Prevent unauthorized process changes and elevate improvement opportunities through the appropriate approval process.
• Partner with Quality and Manufacturing leadership to investigate root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve processes, workflow, and quality.

Physical Requirements:

• 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, including close and distance.
• 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 and, with or without assistance or mechanical lifting devices, move heavier items as required.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, moving equipment, varying temperatures, noise, dust, and other conditions typical of an industrial setting while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance and work the scheduled hours necessary to meet business and operational requirements.

Education, Experience, and/or Certifications:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
• 2-3 years of experience in leather goods or boot manufacturing environment preferred.
• 5S Workplace Organization and Visual Management Training.