About this role.
This senior material-development role owns the sourcing, qualification, quality standards, and lifecycle management of premium leather for handbags, small leather goods, belts, and accessories. The developer will establish a centralized Leather Library, partner with design, product development, supply chain, and QA/QC teams, and support premium product launches. Key responsibilities include evaluating global suppliers, negotiating vendor terms, resolving material defects and variation, and strengthening traceability and sustainability compliance. The role requires deep technical knowledge of leather tanning, finishing, testing, and luxury-quality expectations, along with 8+ years of relevant experience.
Role DNA
A quick view of the complexity, pace, ownership and collaboration implied by the job description.
Job Complexity
4/5Pace & Pressure
4/5Autonomy Level
4/5Communication Load
5/5Salary analysis
Estimated compensation compared with the broader US market for similar roles.
Core skills
Skills and capabilities most closely associated with this opportunity.
Sample interview questions
I would define a standard material-data structure covering tannery, origin, tannage, finish, color, thickness, performance-test results, approved applications, MOQ, lead time, certifications, and care requirements. I would archive physical swatches alongside a searchable digital record, create governance for approvals and updates, and schedule periodic reviews to retire obsolete materials and identify innovation opportunities.
I would begin with a supplier assessment covering technical capabilities, capacity, quality systems, traceability, environmental and social compliance, and commercial reliability. I would then run development trials and laboratory or wear testing against defined standards, evaluate consistency across lots, and approve the supplier only after cross-functional review of quality, risk, cost, and scalability.
I would isolate the issue by reviewing retained standards, lot records, tanning and finishing variables, product construction, usage conditions, and QA inspection data. Working with the tannery and QA/QC teams, I would identify root causes, validate corrective actions through repeat testing, and update specifications, inspection checkpoints, or supplier controls to prevent recurrence.
I would prioritize colorfastness, abrasion and scratch resistance, flex resistance, adhesion of finish, tear and tensile strength, crocking, water-spot behavior, dimensional consistency, odor, and aging performance. The exact thresholds should be tailored by product use case, leather construction, finish, color, and the brand’s premium-quality expectations.
I would use a total-cost and risk perspective rather than focusing only on unit price. This includes developing clear quality tiers, consolidating strategically where appropriate, qualifying backup sources for critical materials, improving specifications to reduce waste and rework, and collaborating early with design and product teams to select materials that meet both performance and margin requirements.
ABOUT QUINCE
Quince is a destination for builders, creators, innovators, and operators who want to come together and challenge the status quo. Our mission is simple: make really high quality essentials for really low prices, fairly and sustainably. We deliver on that mission through a unique manufacturer-to-consumer (M2C) model eliminating the layers of traditional retail that add cost and result in consumers paying more than they need to. We find, build relationships with, and work directly with the manufacturing partners behind some of the world’s finest products. From there, our teams design smart, efficient operational processes and build and deploy proprietary technology, AI, and analytics to help us scale fast.
What began with a small assortment of elevated basics has quickly grown into a cross-category brand spanning apparel, accessories, home goods, and more. Today, tens of millions of people across a growing number of countries come – and return – to Quince because they trust us to deliver.
OUR CULTURE
Quince is a culture built for builders by builders. Our way of working starts with a blank sheet of paper. We question conventional thinking, use technology and data to uncover new opportunities, and move quickly to turn ideas into reality. We aren’t interested in replicating how others do retail. We’re building a better way – at a speed and scale unlike anything that’s been done before.
- We dream big and chase the hard problems others shy away from. Rejecting long-held assumptions is part of our company’s DNA. Where conventional wisdom says you have to choose – soft or durable, speed or rigor, quality or price – we ask why that trade-off has to exist in the first place.
- Our pace is fast and the bar is high because our customers expect a lot from us and we refuse to let them down. We believe the best results come from challenging ourselves, learning from one another, and building on each other’s strengths.
- Here, responsibility is not determined by role, tenure, or seniority. Every team member – no matter their level – has the opportunity to drive our business and shape our trajectory.
If you’re someone who likes to imagine new possibilities and build better systems rather than plug-in to outdated ones, Quince is the place for you.
JOB TITLE
Leather Material Developer
Summary: At Quince, we are committed to crafting premium leather products that exemplify luxury, durability, and timeless design. We are looking for a Leather Material Developer to advance material quality, enhance supply chain consistency, and establish a strategic Leather Library to spur innovation across our product categories.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, benchmark, and archive premium leather materials for handbags, small leather goods, belts, and accessories.
- Establish and maintain a centralized Leather Library to ensure consistency and facilitate innovation.
- Define and implement rigorous quality standards for leather performance, durability, and aesthetics.
- Collaborate with QA/QC teams to address defects, color variation, and wear issues.
- Identify and evaluate global leather suppliers ensuring traceability and ethical sourcing.
- Manage vendor performance, negotiate terms, and drive continuous improvement in material quality.
- Work closely with design, product development, and supply chain teams to align material innovation with brand positioning.
- Provide technical expertise to support new product launches and premium collections.
- Monitor supply chain risks and ensure compliance with sustainability and regulatory standards.
- Implement traceability systems to strengthen transparency and accountability.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Material Science, Leather Technology, or a related field.
- 8+ years of experience in leather material development, sourcing, or QA/QC within luxury or premium brands.
- Strong knowledge of leather tanning, finishing, and testing methods.
- Proven track record in vendor management and supply chain optimization.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills; ability to collaborate across global teams.
- Passion for craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability in leather goods.
All posted ranges are reflective of base salary and may vary depending upon experience level and location. Bonus and equity may also be provided for eligible roles.
Pay Range
$1—$2 USD
WHY QUINCE?
Joining Quince means being part of a mission-driven team reshaping retail. You will work alongside talented colleagues, tackle meaningful challenges, and contribute to building a more sustainable, accessible future for customers and partners alike.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & HIRING INTEGRITY
Quince provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Quince is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application or to perform the essential functions of a role at Quince, please let us know by completing this accommodation form. We review all requests individually and will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Quince will conduct background checks in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Security Advisory: Beware of Frauds
At Quince, we’re dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Quince emphasizes legitimate recruitment practices. Initial communication is primarily via official Quince email addresses and LinkedIn; beware of deviations. Personal data and sensitive information will not be solicited during the application phase. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or through the approved platforms Google Meets or Zoom—never via messaging apps or other calling services. Offers are merit-based, communicated verbally, and followed up in writing. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means.
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