Senior Leather Specialist, Product Development & Production

KITH

8d•$120,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Leather Specialist leads the end-to-end development and production lifecycle for Kith’s leather goods and accessories, from initial concept through sample approval, bulk production, and final delivery. The role is accountable for achieving margin targets, quality standards, design intent, and calendar milestones while promoting operational excellence and cross-functional alignment. As a senior member of the product organization, the specialist is expected to bring an established network of direct contacts at specialized leather goods factories, premium tanneries, and bespoke trim and hardware vendors. The role works closely with Design, Merchandising, Production, Materials, vendors, factories, testing labs, third-party quality control, and Logistics in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Requirements

At least 5 years of progressive Product Development and Production experience focused exclusively on luxury or premium leather goods and accessories.
An active, proven network of direct contacts at global leather goods factories, premium tanneries, and specialized hardware and trim vendors.
Deep understanding of leather hide selection, tanning processes, accessory construction, costing, and global sourcing and manufacturing.
Advanced costing and negotiation experience.
Proficiency with PLM systems, data maintenance, Microsoft Office (Excel), and Adobe Creative Suite.
Strong organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight timelines in a fast-paced, design-driven environment.
Analytical mindset and ability to proactively escalate major risks to senior leadership while proposing solutions and mitigation plans.

Responsibilities

Lead development of leather goods and accessories from initial concept and sketch through pre-production samples, partnering with Design, Production, and cross-functional teams.
Use an established global network of tanneries, specialized trim and hardware vendors, and leather goods factories to source premium materials and capabilities; collaborate with, evaluate, and improve Kith’s vendor matrix.
Translate creative concepts into technically executable products aligned with brand standards for fit, quality, construction, and seasonal strategy.
Launch development trials for new leather techniques, material innovations, and complex hardware constructions as needed each season.
Manage proto, fit, SMS, and initial costing rounds to meet quality, design integrity, and seasonal margin targets.
Oversee the accuracy and maintenance of tech packs, BOMs, costing sheets, and style information in PLM and internal systems.
Manage seasonal trim and hardware development, including requesting, tracking, and reviewing Technical Data Sheets and maintaining trim and leather libraries across factories.
Lead cross-functional development meetings with Design and Materials teams to review collections, development status, feasibility, and timelines.
Communicate with vendors and factories about development status, samples, pricing, MOQs, and sampling timelines.
Participate in collection pass-offs and seasonal reviews to ensure samples meet design intent and timeline requirements.
Manage accessories testing programs to ensure materials and finished goods meet regulatory and quality standards.
Oversee the bulk production lifecycle for leather accessories, ensuring on-time delivery and cost efficiency.
Track purchase orders, production timelines, critical-path milestones, ex-factory dates, and deliverables to help prevent delays.
Maintain accurate, current WIP reports for all styles and vendors, and review weekly factory WIPs to update shared tracking tools.
Manage bulk leather, hardware, and trim submissions, reviewing them against approved SMS and lab dips for color, finish, and handfeel before providing approvals or comments.
Review cost sheets with leadership and lead bulk pricing negotiations with vendors to meet final margin goals without compromising design intent.
Coordinate with third-party QC and Logistics, escalate 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 work with vendors on corrective actions for bulk production as needed.
Issue and update purchase orders in the ERP system, maintaining data integrity and accurate production status and vendor performance records.