Nestorbot
Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7535

Tanner

A tanner is a person who takes hides through the tanning processes, turning raw skin into a durable material that resists decay.

Check your gapsCheck yourself in a minute ↓AI risk: 23/100 (low risk)

Check yourself in a minute: tanner

Rate 5 of the 10 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

adapt to changing situations

apply colouring recipes

prepare colour mixtures

execute working instructions

use IT tools

About tanner

The tanner programmes and operates tanning drums. The tanner runs successive operations in them: soaking and washing the raw hide, removing hair — omitted where hides are tanned with the hair or wool on — pickling, tanning, retanning, dyeing and mechanical finishing in the drum. The work follows written instructions that set the order and duration of the operations.

During the process the tanner checks the physical and chemical properties of the hide at every stage, and the parameters of the float in the drum: acidity, temperature and the concentration of the chemicals. Knowledge of leather chemistry and of the physico-chemical properties of raw hides tells the tanner how a thicker hide, or one from a different consignment, will behave.

The tanner applies dye mixing recipes, weighs out the components and records the run, so that a shade can be repeated in the next batch. The tanner works in a production team, uses IT tools for the records and adapts to changing situations, such as a change of raw material.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a tanner.

1

Tannery drum operation and programming

  • Program tannery drum cycles for washing, hair removal, bating, tanning, retanning, dyeing and milling operations
  • Monitor drum operation and adjust parameters according to production schedules and work instructions
  • Perform startup and shutdown procedures for tannery equipment
2

Quality monitoring and testing

  • Verify physical and chemical characteristics of hides, skins, and leather samples during processing
  • Measure and record pH, temperature, and chemical concentrations in processing liquids
  • Perform quality tests and recommend corrective actions if deviations are detected
  • Maintain detailed records of all measurements and quality verifications
3

Chemical and colour management

  • Apply colouring recipes and prepare colour mixtures according to specifications
  • Handle and measure leather chemistry components safely and accurately
  • Maintain chemical inventory and ensure proper storage conditions
4

Team collaboration and communication

  • Communicate with production team members about process status and any issues encountered
  • Follow work instructions precisely and report deviations to supervisors
  • Work in shifts and adapt to changing production priorities

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (10)

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...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.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.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.identify with the company's goalsidentify with the company's goalsAct for the benefit of the company and for the achievement of its targets.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...
Optional (14) — show
tanning processtanning processOperations performed from beamhouse to tanning processes and from post-tanning to finishing processes.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.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...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...maintain equipmentmaintain equipmentRegularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.manage tanning operationsmanage tanning operationsPlan the required tanning operations to produce leather. This includes selecting the most suitable type of tanning for each leather good according to final leather market destination.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...lift heavy weightslift heavy weightsLift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.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...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.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

leather wet processing department manager10 shared essential skillscolour sampling operator8 shared essential skillscolour sampling technician8 shared essential skillsleather finishing operations manager8 shared essential skillsleather laboratory technician8 shared essential skillsleather production manager8 shared essential skillsleather finishing operator7 shared essential skillsraw materials warehouse specialist7 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a tanner do?

Tanners program and use tannery drums. They perform the work according to the work instructions, verify the physical and chemical characteristics of the hide, skin, or leather and of the liquid floats, e.g. pH, temperature, chemicals concentration, during the process. They use the drum for washing the hide or skin, removing the hair (not in the case of hides and skins tanned with the hair or wool on), bating, tanning, retanning, dyeing and milling.

What skills does a tanner need?

A tanner needs 10 essential skills, including leather chemistry, adapt to changing situations, use communication techniques, apply colouring recipes, prepare colour mixtures.

Will AI replace tanner jobs?

The AI disruption score for tanner is 23/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: test leather chemistry, health and safety in the workplace, monitor operations in the leather industry. Most resilient: lift heavy weights, adapt to changing situations, apply colouring recipes.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft workers
Essential Skills10

What are you missing to work as tanner?

The free skill gap analysis compares your skills with what this occupation requires and shows where to start.

Check your gaps