Leather finishing operators use machines for finishing leather according to the required specifications for surface characteristics, as provided by the client. Surface characteristics refer to colour nuance, quality, pattern and special properties, such as waterproofness, antiflame retardance, antifogging of the leather. They arrange the dosage of finishing mixes to apply to the leather and do the routine maintenance of the machinery.
Check yourself in a minute: leather finishing operator
Rate 5 of the 11 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
maintain equipment
adapt to changing situations
stay alert
apply colouring recipes
prepare colour mixtures
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (11)
leather finishing technologiesleather finishing technologiesEquipment, technologies and techniques for coating and laminating finishing of leather according to product specification. Topics include surface preparation, equipment types, preparation of substrata...spray finishing technologyspray finishing technologyEquipment, technologies and techniques for spray finishing of leather according to product specification. Topics include surface preparation, equipment types, preparation of finishing mixtures, operat...maintain equipmentmaintain equipmentRegularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.adapt to changing situationsadapt to changing situationsChange 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.stay alertstay alertStay focused and alert at all times; react quickly in the case of unexpected events. Concentrate and do not get distracted performing a task over a long period of time.use communication techniquesuse communication techniquesApply techniques of communication which allow interlocutors to better understand each other and communicate accurately in the transmission of messages.apply colouring recipesapply colouring recipesPrepare colour and other chemical mixtures in accordance with the recipes and/or the characteristics of the article to be achieved. Interpret and apply the instructions, including technical and operat...prepare colour mixturesprepare colour mixturesPrepare colour mixtures in accordance with the recipes and/or the characteristics of the article to be achieved.work in textile manufacturing teamswork in textile manufacturing teamsWork harmoniously with colleagues in teams in the textile and clothing manufacturing industries.execute working instructionsexecute working instructionsUnderstand, interpret and properly apply work instructions regarding different tasks in the workplace.identify with the company's goalsidentify with the company's goalsAct for the benefit of the company and for the achievement of its targets.
Optional (13) — show
health and safety in the workplacehealth and safety in the workplaceThe body of rules, procedures and regulations related to safety, health and welfare of people in their workplace.leather technologyleather technologySubject 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 skinsphysico-chemical properties of hides and skinsThe 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 typ...test leather chemistrytest leather chemistrySet of tests that describe chemical features of leather. They include pH and content of specific substances.functionalities of machineryfunctionalities of machineryThe 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 s...leather chemistryleather chemistryChemical composition and chemical properties of hide/skin and chemicals used and their modification during the different tanning processes. Reactions between hide/skin or semi-finished leather and che...characteristics of chemicals used for tanningcharacteristics of chemicals used for tanningComposition and physico-chemical properties of auxiliary chemicals used in the different tanning processes (tanning agents, fat liquors, pigments, dyes, etc.).create solutions to problemscreate solutions to problemsSolve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising informat...identify defects on raw hidesidentify defects on raw hidesAnalyse, 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...monitor operations in the leather industrymonitor operations in the leather industryCollect 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 sys...differentiate nuance of coloursdifferentiate nuance of coloursThe talent to analyse, mix and match colours. Be able to pass a colour acuity test.manage quality of leather throughout the production processmanage quality of leather throughout the production processManage 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 activi...manage environmental impact of operationsmanage environmental impact of operationsManage 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 effect...
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
Leather finishing operators use machines for finishing leather according to the required specifications for surface characteristics, as provided by the client. Surface characteristics refer to colour nuance, quality, pattern and special properties, such as waterproofness, antiflame retardance, antifogging of the leather. They arrange the dosage of finishing mixes to apply to the leather and do the routine maintenance of the machinery.
What skills does a leather finishing operator need?
A leather finishing operator needs 11 essential skills, including leather finishing technologies, spray finishing technology, maintain equipment, adapt to changing situations, stay alert.
Will AI replace leather finishing operator jobs?
The AI disruption score for leather finishing operator is 25/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: test leather chemistry, health and safety in the workplace, stay alert. Most resilient: adapt to changing situations, apply colouring recipes, work in textile manufacturing teams.