Leather Belt Making Assistant

Buckmason; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 50,971,000 - 75,768,000; Full time

Job summary

Buck Mason in Los Angeles is seeking a Belt Leather Smith to help craft belts from raw materials through final assembly in a hands-on workshop. You’ll learn our belt-making techniques and production standards while working with leather, hardware, and finishing processes.

No prior professional leatherworking is required; comfort with hand tools, mechanical thinking, and detail orientation are valued as you learn the craft in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Prior experience with hand tools is preferred but not required.
• Comfortable reading measurements and specifications.
• Interest in leatherworking and belt making is desirable.
• Demonstrates attention to detail and craftsmanship.
• Shows reliability and willingness to learn in a workshop.

Responsibilities

• Assist with production of leather belts from raw materials through final assembly
• Cut and measure leather according to established specifications
• Perform edge finishing and other leather finishing techniques
• Install buckles, hardware, and other belt components
• Safely and confidently use a variety of hand tools and small shop equipment
• Learn and follow Buck Mason’s belt-making techniques and production standards
• Inspect finished work for accuracy, consistency, and quality
• Prepare leather, hardware, and other materials for production

Skills

Hand tools

Mechanically minded

Detail oriented

Eager to learn

Strong work ethic

Tools

Leatherworking tools

Measuring tools

Small shop equipment

Job description

We’re looking for a Belt Leather Smith to join our team and help bring Buck Mason’s leather belts to life from the ground up. This is a hands-on opportunity to learn the craft of leatherworking while working with everything from raw leather and hardware to finished product—and creating durable, beautifully made pieces that reflect our commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

You don’t need to be a professional leatherworker to succeed in this role. We’re looking for someone who is comfortable with hand tools, mechanically minded, detail-oriented, and eager to learn a new craft. Experience in woodworking, metalworking, fabrication, or another hands-on trade is highly transferable. You’ll learn our belt-making techniques and production standards while developing your skills in a working Los Angeles workshop.

If you like working with your hands, figuring out how things are made, and taking pride in getting the details right, we’d like to meet you.

• Assist with the production of leather belts from raw materials through final assembly
• Cut and measure leather according to established specifications
• Perform edge finishing and other leather finishing techniques
• Install buckles, hardware, and other belt components
• Safely and confidently use a variety of hand tools and small shop equipment
• Learn and follow Buck Mason’s belt-making techniques and production standards
• Inspect finished work for accuracy, consistency, and quality
• Prepare leather, hardware, and other materials for production
• Keep tools, materials, and hardware organized and ready for use
• Maintain a clean, efficient, and safe workspace
• Assist with general leatherworking, production, and shop tasks as needed
• Learn the characteristics of different leathers and how they respond to cutting, finishing, and construction
• Identify issues along the way and work with the team to find practical solutions

• Prior experience working with hand tools is required
• 1–2 years of experience in a shop, fabrication, woodworking, metalworking, manufacturing, or similar hands-on environment is preferred, but not required
• Leatherworking experience is a plus, but not necessary
• Strong mechanical aptitude and an ability to learn new tools, techniques, and processes quickly
• Comfortable working with measurements, specifications, and detailed instructions
• Strong attention to detail and a genuine appreciation for craftsmanship and quality
• Patient and focused when working through repetitive or highly detailed processes
• Dependable, organized, and takes ownership of your work
• Comfortable working in a hands-on workshop environment
• Experience working with natural materials or making, building, or repairing things is a plus
• Curious about how things are made and excited to develop a new skilled craft
• Entry-level candidates with strong hands-on skills are encouraged to apply

Buck Mason designs updated, modern American classics for daily wear. Founded in 2013 by Sasha Koehn and Erik Allen Ford, who were neighbors in Venice, California. Initially, they set up shop in a 350 square foot garage off Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Sasha built the website and Erik created the brand’s first collection of jeans and tees. Obsessed with quality, they worked closely with a local family factory to create small batch production runs, crafting each piece using old school manufacturing techniques combined with modern technology.