Leather Materials Lead for Luxury Accessories

United States Digital Space LLC; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

the company is seeking a Leather Material Developer to advance material quality, enhance supply chain consistency, and establish a strategic Leather Library to spur innovation across our product categories.

You will develop, benchmark, and archive premium leather materials for handbags and accessories, collaborate with design, QA/QC, and supply chain teams, and ensure sustainability and ethical sourcing throughout the supplier network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Material Science, Leather Technology or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in leather material development, sourcing, or QA/QC within luxury or premium brands.
• Strong knowledge of leather tanning, finishing, and testing methods.
• Proven track record in vendor management and supply chain optimization.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills; ability to collaborate across global teams.
• Passion for craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability in leather goods.

Responsibilities

• Develop, benchmark, and archive premium leather materials for handbags, small leather goods, belts, and accessories.
• Establish and maintain a centralized Leather Library to ensure consistency and facilitate innovation.
• Define and implement rigorous quality standards for leather performance, durability, and aesthetics.
• Collaborate with QA/QC teams to address defects, color variation, and wear issues.
• Identify and evaluate global leather suppliers ensuring traceability and ethical sourcing.
• Manage vendor performance, negotiate terms, and drive continuous improvement in material quality.
• Work closely with design, product development, and supply chain teams to align material innovation with brand positioning.
• Provide technical expertise to support new product launches and premium collections.
• Monitor supply chain risks and ensure compliance with sustainability and regulatory standards.
• Implement traceability systems to strengthen transparency and accountability.

Skills

Leather material development

Vendor management

Supply chain optimization

QA/QC collaboration

Sustainability in leather goods

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Material Science, Leather Technology

Tools

Leather testing methods

Job description

the company is seeking a Leather Material Developer to advance material quality, enhance supply chain consistency, and establish a strategic Leather Library to spur innovation across our product categories.

You will develop, benchmark, and archive premium leather materials for handbags and accessories, collaborate with design, QA/QC, and supply chain teams, and ensure sustainability and ethical sourcing throughout the supplier network.