Hermès Footwear Leather Cutter
About Hermès
Hermès is a family-owned, independent French Maison recognized for exceptional craftsmanship across multiple artisanal métiers. The group combines long-standing savoir‑faire with a decentralized model that empowers specialized ateliers and industrial partners; Atelier HCI (Hermès Chaussure Italie) is responsible for the development and production of selected footwear models and for coordinating industrialisation, materials development and quality across the supply chain.
Hermès — Footwear Leather Cutter in Busto Garolfo, Italy. Senior full‑time role at Atelier HCI for an experienced luxury shoe cutter.
Role & Responsibilities
- Cut prototypes and samples for new footwear collections using automatic cutting machines, die‑cutting presses and hand‑cutting techniques.
- Calculate material consumption and prepare accurate cutting lists and yield estimates for sample and small‑series production.
- Interpret patterns and technical drawings to ensure precise execution of cutting requirements and adherence to design intents.
- Inspect cut components for conformity, quality and usable grain, and implement corrective actions to minimise waste.
- Operate, maintain and perform basic troubleshooting on cutting equipment; liaise with maintenance and industrialisation teams for technical improvements.
- Collaborate closely with design, development and production planning teams to support sample validation and industrialisation milestones.
Qualifications
- Minimum six years' experience in cutting within the luxury footwear sector or comparable high-end shoe production.
- Deep technical knowledge of leathers, linings and premium fabrics, including their handling and optimal layout on hides.
- Proven competence with all cutting modalities: automatic cutting machines, die (fustella) presses and manual cutting.
- Proficiency with Excel and familiarity with ERP systems for tracking consumption, orders and production data.
- Strong attention to detail, a relentless quality orientation and a pragmatic approach to reducing material waste.
- Effective communicator with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in cross‑functional teams and adapt to production priorities.
Skills
Experience
At least 6 years of hands‑on experience cutting leather and textile components for high‑end footwear, including sample/prototype production and consumption calculation in a luxury or artisanal manufacturing environment.
Education
Vocational qualification in footwear manufacture, leatherwork, or a related apprenticeship; equivalent practical experience in luxury footwear production is acceptable.
Workplace
The role is situated in Busto Garolfo, Lombardy, Italy — conveniently close to Milan.
Culture
Hermès cultivates an environment centred on artisanal excellence, respect for materials and long‑term craftsmanship. The Maison values autonomy, responsible management and cross‑disciplinary collaboration, fostering a workplace where technical mastery and collective creativity are prized.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Hermès, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Leather Cutter – Footwear», «Shoe Cutting Technician», «Cutting Artisan (Footwear)», «Pattern & Cut Specialist – Shoes», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.