Leather production machine operator

Leather production machine operators use the tannery machinery and programs according to the specific requirements to achieve the department’s standards. They do routine maintenance of the machinery.

The following job titles also refer to leather production machine operator:

warehouse machine operator
fleshing machine operator
fur-shaving machine tender
measuring leather machine operator
leather production splitting machine operator
retanning machine operator
leather processing machine operator
sammying machine operator
shaving machine operator
de-salting machine operator
spraying machine operator
leather sorting machine operator
leather finishing operator
stretching machine operator
splitting and sammying machine operator
beating machine tender
machine leather trimmer
brushing machine operator
leather production machinist
tanning machine operator
staking machine operator
glazing machine operator
hide machine operator
icing machine operator
beamhouse machine operator
carding machine operator
de-hairing machine operator
leather production worker
spray finishing machine operator

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a leather production machine operator.

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 production machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to leather production machine operator.

leather measuring operator
leather sorter
tanner
hide grader
leather finishing operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of leather production machine operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of leather production machine operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

leather laboratory technician
colour sampling technician
footwear quality technician
footwear quality control laboratory technician
passport officer

These skills are necessary for the role of leather production machine operator.

• Adapt to changing situations: Change approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people’s needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.
• Use communication techniques: Apply techniques of communication which allow interlocutors to better understand each other and communicate accurately in the transmission of messages.
• Work in textile manufacturing teams: Work harmoniously with colleagues in teams in the textile and clothing manufacturing industries.
• Execute working instructions: Understand, interpret and properly apply work instructions regarding different tasks in the workplace.
• Identify with the company’s goals: Act for the benefit of the company and for the achievement of its targets.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of leather production machine operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Health and safety in the workplace: The body of rules, procedures and regulations related to safety, health and welfare of people in their workplace. 
• Leather technology: Subject that includes traditional and advanced technologies of tanning processes, including machinery, service plants and other supporting equipment like moving or dosing systems.
• Physico-chemical properties of hides and skins: The quality of hides and skins is defined by organoleptic, microbiological, histological and chemical characteristics (i.e. moisture, structure of the dermis, percentage of fat and collagen). Each type of hide/skin has specific physical and chemical properties that affect the type of tanning operations and the most suitable end use of the leather.
• Functionalities of machinery: The machinery and equipment used and, in particular, the characteristics regarding functioning and calibration to ensure compliance with quality and product specifications, as well as the operator’s safety.

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

• Create solutions to problems: Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
• Exert a goal-oriented leadership role towards colleagues: Embrace a leadership role in the organisation and with colleagues as to provide coaching and direction to subordinates aiming at the achievement of specific objectives.
• Think analytically: Produce thoughts using logic and reasoning in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Identify defects on raw hides: Analyse, identify and evaluate the possible defects present on raw hides/skins. Defects may be of natural origin, caused by bad practices at the farm, in transport, at the abattoir or generated during the manufacturing process.
• Monitor operations in the leather industry: Collect key system performance of leather production at periodic intervals or at the end of some specific phases of the leather process, in order to detect and record the operation of machines and systems and monitor that the process follows the product and production requirements.
• Manage quality of leather throughout the production process: Manage systems for the customer-focused organisation of leather production processes. It uses strategy, data, and effective communications to integrate the quality approach into the culture and activities of the company and also to achieve the organisation’s mission and goals.
• Manage environmental impact of operations: Manage the interaction with and impact on the environment by companies. Identify and assess environmental impacts of the production process and related services, and regulate a reduction of the effects on the environment and on people. Organise action plans and monitor any indicators of improvement.

8155 – Fur and leather preparing machine operators

References

1. Leather production machine operator – ESCO