Leather Material Developer

In breve

Quince is a fast‑growing, mission‑driven brand that sells high‑quality essentials directly to consumers, cutting out traditional retail margins. The company designs and manufactures apparel, accessories, home goods and other products, leveraging proprietary technology, AI and analytics to scale quickly and sustainably. As part of this ecosystem, the Leather Material Developer will help Quince expand its premium leather offering, ensuring that every bag, belt or small leather good meets the brand's standards for luxury, durability and timeless design. In this role you will create, benchmark and archive new leather materials for a range of products, from handbags to accessories. You will build and maintain a centralized Leather Library that guarantees material consistency and fuels cross‑category innovation. Defining rigorous quality standards for performance, durability and aesthetics, you will work hand‑in‑hand with QA/QC teams to resolve defects, colour variation and wear issues. Supplier scouting and evaluation will be a core activity, with a focus on traceability, ethical sourcing and sustainability, while you manage vendor performance, negotiate terms and drive continuous improvement. Collaboration with design, product development and supply‑chain groups will ensure that material innovations align with Quince's brand positioning and support new product launches and premium collections. You will also monitor supply‑chain risks and implement traceability systems to strengthen transparency and regulatory compliance. The position requires a bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering, Material Science, Leather Technology or a closely related discipline. Candidates must bring at least eight years of experience in leather material development, sourcing or QA/QC for luxury or premium brands. A deep understanding of leather tanning, finishing and testing methods is essential, as is a proven record of vendor management and supply‑chain optimisation. Strong communication and negotiation abilities are needed to collaborate effectively across global teams, and a genuine passion for craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability in leather goods rounds out the profile. Joining Quince means becoming part of a culture built for builders, where ideas are welcomed, speed is prized and the bar is set high. The company offers an environment that encourages questioning conventional wisdom, tackling hard problems and shaping the future of retail. Employees enjoy the chance to make a tangible impact on a mission‑focused business that values equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion, and that supports reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. What the role asks for: - Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering, Material Science, Leather Technology or related field - 8+ years experience in leather material development, sourcing or QA/QC - Strong knowledge of leather tanning, finishing and testing methods - Proven track record in vendor management and supply‑chain optimisation - Excellent communication and negotiation skills across global teams - Passion for craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability in leather goods