Senior Leather Specialist, Product Development & Production

KITH; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kith, a New York City–based lifestyle brand, seeks a Senior Leather Specialist to lead end‑to‑end development and production of leather goods and accessories. You will leverage a deep network of global tanneries and premium vendors to source materials while ensuring margins, quality, and calendar milestones.

You will guide cross‑functional teams with Product Design, Production, and Merchandising, driving execution from concept through bulk production and delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive Product Development and Production experience in luxury leather goods.
• Active network of direct contacts for global leather goods factories and premium tanneries.
• Deep understanding of leather hide selection, tanning, and construction.
• Advanced costing and negotiation experience.
• Proficiency in PLM, data maintenance, Excel, and Adobe Creative Suite.

Responsibilities

• Lead the product development lifecycle for leather goods and accessories from concept through pre-production.
• Source premium materials via a global network of tanneries and vendors.
• Translate concepts into technically executable products aligned with brand standards.
• Manage proto, fit, SMS, and costing rounds to meet margins and quality targets.
• Oversee bulk production timelines, POs, and vendor performance for on‑time delivery.
• Ensure QA, testing, and regulatory compliance for accessories.
• Maintain BOMs, tech packs, and PLM data with accuracy.

Skills

Organized

Detail-oriented

Cost negotiation

Vendor management

Analytical mindset

Tools

PLM systems

Excel

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Location: HQ - Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Status: Full-time / 100% on-site

Compensation: $120,000 - $130,000 annually

Position Summary: The Senior Leather Specialist leads the end-to-end development and production lifecycle for all accessories and leather goods—from initial concept through final sample approval, bulk production, and final delivery. This dual-function role is responsible for ensuring margin targets, quality standards, design intent, and calendar milestones are achieved while driving operational excellence and cross‑functional alignment.

As a senior leader within the product organization, this individual must bring a robust, established network of direct contacts for specialized leather goods factories, premium tanneries, and bespoke trim/hardware vendors to immediately impact Kith’s sourcing capabilities.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-driven, and thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment where precision and proactive communication are essential to success.

RESPONSIBILITIES

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

• Lead the product development lifecycle for all leather goods and accessories from initial concept and sketch through pre‑production samples, collaborating closely with Design, Production, and cross‑functional partners.
• Leverage an existing, extensive personal network of global tanneries, specialized trim/hardware vendors, and leather goods factories to source premium materials and capabilities that support long‑term brand goals, while seamlessly collaborating with, evaluating, and improving Kith’s existing vendor matrix.
• Partner closely with Design and Merchandising to translate creative concepts into technically executable products aligned with brand standards for fit, quality, construction, and seasonal strategies.
• Own launching development trials for new leather techniques, material innovations, or complex hardware constructions as needed each season.
• Manage all proto, fit, SMS, and initial costing rounds to ensure quality, design integrity, and seasonal margin targets are met.
• Oversee the accuracy of tech packs, BOMs, costing sheets, and all style information within PLM and internal systems, ensuring all product data is complete and maintained.
• Manage seasonal trim and hardware development, including requesting, tracking, and reviewing Technical Data Sheets for accuracy, and maintaining a trim and leather library across all factories.
• Lead cross‑functional development meetings with Design and Materials teams to review outstanding collections, development status, feasibility, and timelines.
• Communicate daily with vendors and factories regarding development status, samples, pricing, MOQs, and sampling timelines.
• Participate in collection pass‑offs, and seasonal reviews, ensuring samples align with design intent and timeline requirements.
• Manage testing programs for accessories to ensure materials and finished goods meet regulatory and quality standards.

PRODUCTION

• Oversee the full bulk production lifecycle for all leather accessories, ensuring on‑time delivery and cost efficiency.
• Monitor and track all purchase orders, production timelines, critical path milestones, ex‑factory dates, and deliverables to avoid delays.
• Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date WIP reports for all styles from all vendors, and review weekly factory WIPs to update shared tracking tools.
• Manage bulk leather, hardware, and trim submissions—tracking and reviewing against approved SMS and lab dips for color, finish, and handfeel before sending approvals or comments.
• Review cost sheets with leadership and lead bulk pricing negotiations with vendors to meet final margin goals without compromising design intent.
• Work closely with 3rd party QC and Logistics to ensure alignment, elevate risks proactively, and resolve bulk manufacturing challenges.
• Partner with testing labs and vendors to ensure timely testing and certification of bulk production runs.
• Review quality control inspections and collaborate with vendors on corrective actions for bulk production as needed.
• Issue and update POs in the ERP system to ensure data integrity and maintain accurate records of production status and vendor performance.

REQUIREMENTS

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of progressive Product Development and Production experience, exclusively focused on luxury or premium leather goods and accessories.
• Must possess an active, proven network of direct contacts for global leather goods factories, premium tanneries, and specialized hardware/trim vendors.
• Deep understanding of leather hide selection, tanning processes, accessory construction, costing, and global sourcing/manufacturing.
• Advanced costing and negotiation experience is required.
• Proficiency in PLM systems, data maintenance, Microsoft Office (Excel), and Adobe Creative Suite.

Skills

• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities under tight timelines in a fast‑paced, design‑driven environment.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to proactively elevate major risks to senior leadership while proposing solutions and mitigation plans.

WHO YOU ARE

Professional Characteristics

• Highly organized and detail‑oriented
• Analytical and solutions‑oriented
• Relationship‑driven

Personal Characteristics

• Strong cost negotiation skills
• Proactive risk identification and mitigation
• Effective vendor and stakeholder management

WHO WE ARE

Established in 2011 in New York City, Kith is a lifestyle brand and specialty retailer that offers seasonal collections of men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, accessories and footwear through a distinct lens of personal storytelling. Kith embodies a multi‑faced lifestyle, with uncompromising detail to fabrication and design. Led by Founder, CEO and Creative Director Ronnie Fieg, the brand is known globally for evoking nostalgia from a dynamic point of view, and working closely with a carefully selected set of best‑in‑class collaborators.

Kith operates 16 standalone boutiques around the world, and 3 shop‑in‑shops. Kith Treats, conceived from Fieg’s childhood love for cereal, operates in 10 locations, as well as Sadelle’s at Kith restaurants in Paris, Miami Design District, Toronto and Seoul.

The Kinnect Foundation, a non‑profit established and operated by Kith, is a non‑profit devoted to creating positive change through education, community and social impact.

Kith is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.