What skills does a tanner need?

A tanner needs 10 essential skills including physico-chemical properties of hides and skins, leather chemistry, adapt to changing situations, use communication techniques, apply colouring recipes. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace tanner jobs?

The AI disruption score for tanner is 23/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Manufacturing & ProductionFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft and related trades workersISCO 7535

tanner

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.

About tanner

As a tanner, you will work in leather production facilities where you operate specialized tannery drums and oversee the transformation of raw hides and skins into finished leather. Your day-to-day responsibilities include programming drum cycles, monitoring chemical and physical parameters such as pH, temperature, and chemical concentrations, and ensuring that each stage of the tanning process—from washing and hair removal to dyeing and milling—follows precise work instructions. You will regularly test samples to verify that the leather meets quality standards before it moves to the next production stage.

This role requires both technical knowledge and attention to detail, as even small deviations in temperature or chemical balance can compromise the entire batch. You will work as part of a production team, communicating with supervisors and colleagues to maintain workflow and troubleshoot any issues that arise. The leather industry remains important in Poland, with opportunities in both traditional tanneries and modern, environmentally conscious facilities. Career prospects are stable, with opportunities to advance into supervisory or quality control roles as you gain experience.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a tanner.

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

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

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

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)

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...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.

Optional (14)

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.