Leather goods quality technician

Leather goods quality technicians perform tasks related to the quality system by controlling quality and executing laboratory tests (finished products, used materials and components) according to the national and international standards. They analyse and interpret the result of laboratory tests, prepare reports, advise on corrective and preventive measures, and contribute to accomplishing requirements and objectives for continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.

Leather goods quality technicians typically do the following tasks:

• Inspect leather goods at various stages of the production process to ensure compliance with quality standards and specifications
• Conduct visual inspections to identify any defects, flaws, or inconsistencies in the materials, stitching, hardware, or finishing of the leather goods
• Perform functional tests to assess the durability, strength, and overall performance of the leather products
• Document and communicate any quality issues or deviations from standards to the relevant departments or personnel
• Collaborate with production teams to identify the root causes of quality problems and recommend corrective actions
• Participate in product development meetings to provide input on quality requirements and feasibility
• Assist in the development and implementation of quality control procedures and guidelines
• Train production line workers on quality standards, specifications, and inspection techniques
• Maintain records and documentation of quality control processes, inspection results, and corrective actions taken
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of quality control measures and suggest improvements where necessary

The following job titles also refer to leather goods quality technician:

leather goods quality technologist
leather goods quality engineer
quality technologist
leather goods quality specialist

Leather goods quality technicians primarily work in manufacturing facilities, production lines, or quality control laboratories. They may be required to stand for long periods and work in a fast-paced environment. Attention to detail is essential to accurately identify and document quality issues. The work may involve handling and assessing various types of leather materials, tools, and equipment. Safety measures, such as wearing protective gear, may be required in certain situations.

A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for a leather goods quality technician position. Some employers may prefer candidates with vocational or technical training in quality control, leather goods manufacturing, or a related field. Strong knowledge of leather materials, production processes, and quality standards is important. Attention to detail, good communication skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team are essential. Previous experience in quality control, preferably in the leather goods industry, is highly valued.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Leather goods quality technician is a Skill level 3 occupation.

No potential next step identified on the General track track for this occupation.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of leather goods quality technician.

• Footwear finishing techniques: The related machinery, tools, chemicals and mechanical finishing procedures applied to footwear manufacturing.
• Leather goods manufacturing processes: The processes, technology and machinery involved in the leather goods manufacturing.
• Leather goods components: The various procedures and methods in processing leather materials and leather goods components like manufacturability and properties.
• Leather goods quality: The quality specifications of materials, processes, and final products, the most common defects in leather, quick tests procedures, laboratory tests procedures and standards, and the adequate equipment for quality checks.
• Leather goods materials: The wide range of materials used in leather goods production: leather, leather substitutes (synthetics or artificial materials), textile, etc; the way of distinguishing among various materials based on their properties, advantages and limitations.

These skills are necessary for the role of leather goods quality technician.

• Apply footwear and leather goods quality control techniques: Apply quality control in footwear and leather goods. Analyse the material, component or model using relevant quality criteria. Compare the material and other components received from the suppliers, or the final product, to standards. Use visual observation and report findings. Control the quantity of leather in the warehouse. Submit components to laboratory control test when necessary. Define the corrective measures when called for.
• Reduce environmental impact of footwear manufacturing: Assess the environmental impact of footwear manufacturing and minimise environmental risks. Reduce environmentally harmful work practices in different stages of footwear manufacturing.
• Communicate commercial and technical issues in foreign languages: Speak one or more foreign languages in order to communicate commercial and technical issues with various suppliers and clients.
• Use communication techniques: Apply techniques of communication that allow interlocutors to understand each other better and communicate accurately in transmitting messages.
• Manage footwear quality systems: Manage the company quality system. Create or elaborate the quality manual. Carry out the established requirements and objectives included in the quality policy. Foster internal and external communication, including customer satisfaction follow-up. Define and control the implementation of corrective and preventive measures. Foster the continuous improvement of the quality system and quality manual.
• Use IT tools: Application of computers, computer networks and other information technologies and equipment to storing, retrieving, transmitting and manipulating data, in the context of a business or enterprise.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of leather goods quality technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Practice innovative thinking in the footwear and leather goods industries: Innovate and create in the footwear and leather goods sector. Evaluate new ideas and concepts to turn them into marketable products. Use entrepreneurial thinking in all stages of product and process development to identify new business opportunities for the targeted markets.
• Determine leather goods warehouse layout: Select suitable warehouse layouts according to the specific conditions of the leather goods company. Plan the warehouse layout. Implement the warehouse management system.
• Plan supply chain logistics for footwear and leather goods: Plan, organise and monitor logistics and supply chain activities based on the footwear or leather goods company’s main objectives regarding quality, cost, delivery, and flexibility.
• Perform laboratory tests on footwear or leather goods: Perform laboratory quality control tests on footwear, leather goods or its materials or components following national and international standards. Prepare samples and procedures. Analyse and interpret tests results and produced reports. Cooperate with outsourced laboratories.
• Measure working time in footwear and leather goods production: Calculate and establish operative times in footwear and leather goods manufacturing using various methods and techniques. Control the production timings, comparing with estimates.

3119 – Physical and engineering science technicians not elsewhere classified

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References

1. Leather goods quality technician – ESCO
2. Featured image: By User Vugluskr on en.wikipedia – User created, Public Domain