Fendi Stitching Operator – Shoes & Sneakers

About Fendi

Founded in Rome in 1925, Fendi stands as one of Italy’s most distinguished luxury houses, celebrated for its exceptional craftsmanship, Roman spirit, and bold creative vision. As an employer, Fendi offers a dynamic environment where heritage and innovation meet across métiers including design, leather goods, fur, ready-to-wear, retail, communications, and corporate functions. The Maison values artisanal excellence, cultural curiosity, entrepreneurial energy, and collaboration, inviting its teams to contribute to a legacy defined by refinement and experimentation. Within the LVMH Group, Fendi provides international career opportunities, strong professional development, and the privilege of shaping the future of contemporary luxury.

A key production specialist within the prototype, sampling, and industrialization department, this Stitching Operator is responsible for assembling and stitching footwear components with precision and quality assurance across development phases—from prototype creation through sample production to product industrialization support. The role demands expertise in sneaker construction and mastery of industrial stitching machinery across multiple techniques.

Role & Responsibilities

• Execute stitching and assembly of uppers and components for prototype footwear, interpreting technical drawings and stylistic directives while collaborating closely with pattern makers
• Produce collection samples with elevated precision and meticulous attention to detail, adhering to established quality standards and delivery timelines
• Ensure flawless execution of seams and assembly of diverse materials including leather, textiles, and semi-finished components
• Maintain quality standards and ensure reproducibility of sample production across all production phases
• Perform quality controls on finished work, identifying and correcting any defects to specifications

Qualifications

• Proven prior experience in footwear prototype, sampling, or production contexts with particular focus on sneaker product development
• Proficiency with industrial stitching machinery including flat-bed, column, and arm machines and other specialized seaming equipment
• Exceptional manual dexterity and precision in stitching leather and diverse material types
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret technical drawings and product specifications
• Strong attention to detail with unwavering commitment to quality standards
• Flexibility and collaborative team skills with capacity for active cross-departmental engagement
• Proactive problem-solving orientation with results-driven mindset

Skills

Experience

Minimum 5 years of demonstrated experience in footwear prototyping, sampling, or production environments, with particular emphasis on sneaker product categories and industrial stitching techniques.

Education

Technical education in footwear production, leather craftsmanship, or equivalent practical certification in industrial stitching and footwear assembly preferred but not required given sufficient documented experience.

Workplace

Compensation

The base compensation for this position is EUR 32,000 per annum.

Benefits

Participation in discretionary performance-based incentive plan based on individual and/or company performance; additional benefits provided in accordance with current company policies beyond statutory entitlements; employment relationship governed by the national collective labor agreement (CCNL Calzature Industria) as applied by Fendi in Italy.

Culture

Fendi cultivates a workplace culture rooted in Roman heritage, exceptional craftsmanship, and a forward-looking spirit of creativity. As an employer, it offers a refined, collaborative environment where teams are encouraged to combine technical excellence with bold innovation in service of a distinctive luxury vision.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.