Senior Specialist - Footwear Material Leather (Contract)

Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamOn-site

Responsibilities

Drive premium footwear execution by partnering with Zurich HQ and tanneries to commercialize leather innovations.
- Support the implementation of new leather techniques across leather collections.
- Collaborate with the leather suppliers to quickly address leather concerns that may impact production schedules.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers to enhance quality consistency and operational efficiency.
- Monitor leather utilization and support opportunities for material optimization without compromising quality standards.
- Support material tracking and organization for development and production needs.

experience in leather sourcing, leather quality, product development, or material management within footwear, or accessories industries.
Strong technical understanding of leather grading, tanning, cutting, testing, and manufacturing processes.
Experience working with tanneries, factories, and external partners across Asia.
Knowledge of footwear, construction and material applications preferred.
Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Powerpoint and material tracking systems.

You will own end-to-end quality governance—establishing strict testing, grading, and cutting parameters across T1/T2 suppliers—while optimizing material utilization, onboarding new tanneries, and building our core leather manual to ensure production consistency.
- Partner with ZH Leather management team to commercialize new leathers and material innovations.
- Work with Product Development, On-Site Teams(QA Teams), and suppliers to establish grading, testing, and cutting parameters for new leather programs.
- Participate in material trials, evaluations, and approvals during development and commercialization stages.
- Ensure T1 factories consistently maintain company quality and aesthetic standards.
- Evaluate leather selection, grading, cutting, and utilization practices to ensure compliance with approved quality guidelines.
- Partner with T1 factories to resolve leather quality issues, including replacement or recutting of non-conforming materials.
- Visit T1 factories and T2 leather suppliers to educate teams on:Testing standards procedures; Grading guidelines; Leather receiving procedures; Cutting and material utilization practices
- Partner with the Costing Team to ensure fair and accurate leather waste factors are applied by T1 factories.
- Build up the leather core board, set up leather manual process