Skive Upper Parts

Lucchese Bootmaker•El Paso, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Upper Parts Skiver thins and bevels the edges of leather upper components for handcrafted western boots using skiving machines and hand tools or knives. Working from work tickets and specifications, the role reduces the thickness of vamps, shafts, counters, linings, pull straps, and inlay or overlay pieces so they fold, stitch, and last smoothly without excess bulk at seams. The work must meet specified widths, depths, and angles while protecting the leather grain and appearance and meeting Lucchese quality standards. The position owns skiving leather components from receipt of cut pieces from the cutting room through inspection and bundling for fitting and stitching. It does not include cutting upper leathers, splitting full hides, stitching, inlay or overlay work, lasting, or major equipment repair and knife grinding beyond routine sharpening. The role is full-time, with a typical Monday–Friday schedule of 6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 40–55 hours per week. Overtime and Saturday shifts may be required based on production needs.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Strong attention to detail and manual dexterity.
Good hand-eye coordination.
Ability to read and interpret work orders, patterns, and production specifications.
Basic mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, production-driven manufacturing environment.
Commitment to quality, productivity, and workplace safety.
Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team.
Professional attitude and reliable attendance.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong time management, analytical, and critical-thinking skills; ability to prioritize tasks and identify root causes of problems.
Ability to operate machinery and maintain organized work processes.
Ability to communicate and share information effectively, listen to team concerns, and build trust and credibility.
Ability to sit at a station for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks.
Ability to sit continuously for shifts of at least eight hours and perform repetitive hand and finger movements.
Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, and reach above shoulder level.
Ability to frequently use hands and fingers to handle, grasp, and operate tools, equipment, keyboards, and other production-related devices.
Ability to visually inspect products, equipment, production processes, and workplace conditions at close and distance.
Ability to hear and respond to verbal instructions, alarms, and other workplace communications.
Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, and move heavier items with or without assistance or mechanical lifting devices.
Ability to work in an industrial manufacturing environment with machinery, moving equipment, varying temperatures, noise, dust, and other typical conditions while wearing required PPE.
Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance and work scheduled hours necessary to meet business requirements.
Ability to perform repetitive trimming tasks for extended periods.
May be exposed to cement, acetone, and paints.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with industrial sewing machines, preferably in footwear, leather goods, or upholstery.
Experience working with leather, footwear, boots, or similar materials; western boot or leather experience preferred.
Two to three years of experience in a leather goods or boot manufacturing environment preferred.
Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.
5S Workplace Organization and Visual Management Training.

Responsibilities

Skive the edges of vamps, shafts, counters, linings, pull straps, and decorative pieces using skiving machines and hand tools.
Read work tickets to confirm style, leather type, piece list, and skiving specifications.
Inspect cut pieces for defects or cutting errors and set aside and report issues.
Set up and adjust skiving machines for each leather type and thickness.
Skive pieces to the specified width, thickness, and angle without cutting through or weakening the leather.
Protect the leather grain from scratches, marks, and burns during skiving.
Maintain consistency between matching left and right pieces and across each pair.
Check skived pieces against standards using gauges or touch; re-skive or set aside nonconforming pieces.
Keep pieces together by set, size, and pair; bundle, tag, and route them to the next operation.
Record production counts, rework, and defects on work tickets or in the shop system.
Sharpen and change blades as needed; perform daily checks and basic cleaning on skiving machines and promptly report equipment issues.
Follow safety procedures, including machine guarding, safe blade handling, and required PPE.
Keep the work area clean and organized and free of leather shavings.
Support other fitting or cutting operations and assist in other areas or tasks as assigned.
Comply with company safety policies, procedures, and applicable occupational safety regulations.
Promote safety, accountability, and hazard awareness; conduct safety observations, workplace inspections, and housekeeping activities.
Report, investigate, and document workplace injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions, and safety incidents, and implement corrective or preventive actions as appropriate.
Ensure required safety training, safe operating practices, emergency preparedness, and safety drill participation.
Stop or suspend work when an unsafe condition presents an immediate risk and promptly notify management.
Maintain a clean, organized, hazard-free work area in accordance with 5S and housekeeping standards.
Ensure products meet quality standards and customer expectations and reinforce adherence to standard operating procedures.
Prevent unauthorized process changes and escalate improvement opportunities through the appropriate approval process.
Partner with Quality and Manufacturing leadership to investigate root causes and implement corrective actions.
Identify opportunities to improve processes, workflow, and quality.