Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 1321
Leather production manager
Leather production managers plan all aspects of the leather production process. They ensure the required output of the factory in terms of quality and quantity of the leather. They organise the production staff. They monitor and ensure the operation of machinery and equipment. They cooperate with managers of each production department.
Check yourself in a minute: leather production manager
Rate 5 of the 32 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
manage supplies
purchase raw material supplies
maintain equipment
adapt to changing situations
test chemical auxiliaries
About leather production manager
As a leather production manager, you will oversee all aspects of the leather manufacturing process from raw material sourcing through finishing and delivery. Your responsibilities encompass planning production schedules, organizing and managing production staff, monitoring machinery performance, and ensuring output meets both quality and quantity standards. You will apply expertise in leather technology, chemistry, and testing methods to solve production problems and maintain strict quality control. You collaborate closely with department managers, negotiate supplier contracts, and adapt operations to changing market demands. This role requires strong leadership, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a leather production manager.
1
Production Planning and Scheduling
- Plan and schedule all aspects of leather production to meet output targets
- Coordinate with department managers to ensure smooth workflow and resource allocation
- Monitor production timelines and adjust schedules to meet deadlines
- Create solutions to production bottlenecks and process inefficiencies
2
Quality Control and Testing
- Implement and maintain quality control systems throughout the production process
- Test leather chemistry and physico-chemical properties to verify quality standards
- Conduct physical testing of leather to assess durability and performance
- Identify and assess defects on raw hides and finished leather products
3
Staff Management and Development
- Organize and manage production staff to ensure efficient operations
- Use effective communication techniques with team members and supervisors
- Support development and training of production personnel
- Ensure health and safety in the workplace and promote safe working practices
4
Materials and Equipment Management
- Source color chemicals and raw materials for leather production
- Purchase and manage raw material supplies and inventory
- Monitor and maintain functionality of production machinery and equipment
- Understand physico-chemical properties of hides and skins for optimal processing
5
Leather Technology and Finishing
- Apply knowledge of leather technology and tanning processes to optimize production
- Understand and apply spray finishing technology and leather finishing techniques
- Manage chemical characteristics used in tanning and ensure proper handling
- Adapt processes to changing situations and market requirements
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (32)
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...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...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...quality control systemsquality control systemsUnderstanding of and experience with product development quality systems or tools such as FMEA, DOE, PPAP and APQP.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.).source colour chemicalssource colour chemicalsFull range of available dyes and colours chemicals suitable for leather and where to source them.manage suppliesmanage suppliesMonitor and control the flow of supplies that includes the purchase, storage and movement of the required quality of raw materials, and also work-in-progress inventory. Manage supply chain activities ...purchase raw material suppliespurchase raw material suppliesManage logistics of purchasing supplies of the raw materials for the tannery to ensure efficient operations of the tannery and meet clients' requirements.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.use communication techniquesuse communication techniquesApply techniques of communication which allow interlocutors to better understand each other and communicate accurately in the transmission of messages.test chemical auxiliariestest chemical auxiliariesConduct analysis to characterise the content of the mixtures of chemical auxiliaries. These include the determination of the water content, the amount of active principles declared, looking for potent...prepare colour mixturesprepare colour mixturesPrepare colour mixtures in accordance with the recipes and/or the characteristics of the article to be achieved.meet deadlinesmeet deadlinesEnsure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.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...liaise with colleaguesliaise with colleaguesLiaise with fellow colleagues to ensure common understanding on work related affairs and agree on the necessary compromises the parties might need to face. Negotiate compromises between parties as to ...develop manufacturing recipesdevelop manufacturing recipesDescribe in detail the set of activities necessary for the proper operation and management of processes (amount of chemical products, planning of timing and processing, monitoring).work in textile manufacturing teamswork in textile manufacturing teamsWork harmoniously with colleagues in teams in the textile and clothing manufacturing industries.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...use IT toolsuse IT toolsApplication of computers, computer networks and other information technologies and equipment to storing, retrieving, transmitting and manipulating data, in the context of a business or enterprise.seek innovation in current practicesseek innovation in current practicesSearch for improvements and present innovative solutions, creativity and alternative thinking to develop new technologies, methods or ideas for and answers to work-related problems.identify with the company's goalsidentify with the company's goalsAct for the benefit of the company and for the achievement of its targets.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...test leather chemistrytest leather chemistrySet of tests that describe chemical features of leather. They include pH and content of specific substances.leather physical testingleather physical testingSet of tests that describe physical features of leather. They include the analysis of the performance characteristics of leather, such as resistance to bending, to friction, to tearing, etc.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...manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...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...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...
Optional (4) — show
leather colour chemistryleather colour chemistryColour chemistry is the application and behaviour of dyes and colouring materials in relation to leather.pack leatherpack leatherEnclose or protect products for distribution and storage. Packaging refers to a coordinated system of preparing goods for transport, warehousing, logistics, sale, and use. Leather packaging requires s...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...manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
leather finishing operations manager26 shared essential skillsleather wet processing department manager24 shared essential skillsleather laboratory technician19 shared essential skillscolour sampling technician17 shared essential skillsleather raw materials purchasing manager16 shared essential skillsfinished leather warehouse manager14 shared essential skillsleather production planner11 shared essential skillscolour sampling operator10 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a leather production manager do?
Leather production managers plan all aspects of the leather production process. They ensure the required output of the factory in terms of quality and quantity of the leather. They organise the production staff. They monitor and ensure the operation of machinery and equipment. They cooperate with managers of each production department.
What skills does a leather production manager need?
A leather production manager needs 32 essential skills, including health and safety in the workplace, leather technology, physico-chemical properties of hides and skins, spray finishing technology, functionalities of machinery.
Will AI replace leather production manager jobs?
The AI disruption score for leather production manager is 32/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: test leather chemistry, quality control systems, manage budgets. Most resilient: liaise with colleagues, adapt to changing situations, work in textile manufacturing teams.
AI Replacement Risk
32/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupProduction and specialised services managers
Essential Skills32
What are you missing to work as leather production manager?
The free skill gap analysis compares your skills with what this occupation requires and shows where to start.
Check your gaps