Leather Material Developer

JOB TITLE

Leather Material Developer

Summary: At Quince, we are committed to crafting premium leather products that exemplify luxury, durability, and timeless design. We are looking for 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.

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.

Qualifications:

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