At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the sourcing and development of sustainable materials for luxury handbags.
- Company: Join DeMellier, a purpose-driven brand making a real impact in the fashion industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and amazing employee discounts.
- Other info: Frequent travel across Europe to trade shows and suppliers is required.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that champions sustainability and empowers women globally.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in raw material development with a focus on sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
About Us
De Mellier is a London-based brand that was founded with the vision of doing things differently: to design handbags that would make women feel empowered, made ethically and sustainably, while giving back to those who need it most.
These principles guide everything we do.
All our pieces are crafted ethically in Europe using the finest sustainably sourced materials.
We champion equality, and for every piece sold, we fund vaccines and medical treatments aimed at saving the life of a child in need.
So far, through our permanent charity initiative, ‘A Bag, A Life’, in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages, we have funded over 2.5 million vaccines.
Join us and be part of an award-winning, purpose-driven brand that fosters creativity, collaboration, and meaningful impact within the luxury industry.
The Role
As a Raw Materials Development Manager at De Mellier, you will lead the sourcing, development, and innovation of leathers, fabrics, hardware, and trims.
This strategic and hands‑on role is central to ensuring the quality, sustainability, and commercial viability of our raw materials across all collections.
You will own the full raw materials development lifecycle and manage our supplier network, negotiating costs and terms, maintaining stock accuracy, and supporting design and production teams through each season.
You’ll also provide leadership and mentorship to a Raw Materials Developer and Product Development assistant, delegating daily operational tasks while ensuring alignment with our sustainability goals and critical path timelines.
Frequent travel is a key part of this role, as you’ll be regularly visiting trade shows, factories, tanneries, and suppliers to maintain quality control, strengthen partnerships, and drive innovation.
- Main responsibilities
- Raw Materials & Hardware Development
- Lead end-to-end development of leathers, fabrics, hardware, and trims across seasonal collections.
- Provide expert technical knowledge of raw materials, material engineering, manufacturing technologies, material performance and moulds, while continuously driving innovation through new materials, processes and technologies.
- Manage the raw materials and hardware development critical path, collaborating with the FG Product Development, industrialisation and production team to flag and resolve issues.
- Maintain accurate archives of all materials and hardware, ensuring data is up to date in ERP/ PLM, Dropbox, and shared folders.
- Attend international trade fairs to source materials and hardware; schedule appointments with suppliers, prepare meeting agendas, and follow up on deliverables.
- Collect and consolidate swatches, certification documents, pricing, compositions, MOQs, and lead times from fairs and supplier meetings.
- Negotiate quality standards, pricing, MOQs, grading splits, wastage percentages, lead times, and payment terms with suppliers.
- Oversee inbound sampling shipments and stock levels; ensure all new materials are checked, and discrepancies are flagged upon arrival. C
- Conduct lab and wear‑testing of new materials and hardware to ensure performance and compliance standards are met.
- Create and implement storage guides and materials handling systems (masters/ color references, etc.) in collaboration with factories.
- Supplier Management
- Source, assess, and onboard new materials and hardware suppliers to expand the brand’s sustainable and innovative raw materials library.
- Organise and host supplier visits at HQ and coordinate with the Industrialisation and Production team as needed.
- Build strong, long‑term relationships with international suppliers to support quality, reliability, and ethical development and production.
- Guide and support the Raw Materials Developer in managing daily communication with suppliers, lab dip processes, testing, PO tracking, and raw material documentation.
- Pre-Production & Cross-Functional Support
- Oversee the creation, upkeep and handover of all product development masters: colour masters, full skin masters, fabric masters, hardware and trim masters.
Ensure seasonal carry‑over colours and materials are consistently matched to masters.
- Track and communicate any raw material or hardware quality issues during development, handing over findings clearly to the Industrialisation/Production team.
- Hand over and co‑sign pre‑production masters and samples with industrialisation/ production team.
- Provide accurate care instructions and technical sheet to cross‑functional teams (e‑commerce, marketing, creative).
- Support seasonal training pack creation and maintenance throughout the development stage by supplying detailed RM and hardware information for wholesale showroom use and cross‑team product training in collaboration with the industrialisation and compliance manager.
- Sustainability & Innovation
- Lead the sustainability strategy for all raw material and hardware initial development, assuring brand values are at the forefront from the get‑go.
- Continuously research sustainable alternatives, new technologies, and areas of improvement within materials and sourcing.
- Build and maintain a digital library of supplier certifications (LWG, REACH, animal welfare, etc.), accessible to the wider team in collaboration with the industrialisation and compliance manager.
- Ensure full traceability of all raw materials and hardware components where possible, documenting origin, processing methods, and environmental impacts to support transparency and storytelling and handover to industrialisation/ compliance manager ahead of mass production.
- Coordinate initial supplier audits or collect third‑party audit reports to ensure ethical sourcing practices and alignment with De Mellier’s sustainability values.
- Work with internal teams to build and maintain a digital raw materials library in ERP/PLM, supporting real‑time visibility, version control, and sustainability metrics.
- Evaluate new materials and hardware against end‑of‑life considerations such as recyclability, biodegradability, and reusability, supporting circular product design.
- Documentation & Systems Management
- Ensure all materials and hardware are accurately logged in ERP/PLM, with detailed pricing, composition, supplier data, and certification records.
Oversee seasonal folders for lab dips, colour cards, and swatches.
- Manage the raw materials development budget, proactively identifying cost‑saving opportunities and efficiencies across sourcing and development.
- Oversee processing of all related invoices accurately using the budget tracker /Finance system.
- Ensure records related to lab tests, performance standards, and care requirements are organised and easily accessible.
- Team Leadership & People Management
- Directly manage and develop members of the Raw Materials team, providing clear leadership, guidance and day‑to‑day support.
- Set and communicate individual and team objectives, priorities and expectations, ensuring alignment with wider business and brand goals.
- Conduct regular one‑to‑ones, probation reviews and annual performance reviews, providing constructive feedback and supporting ongoing development.
- Delegate responsibilities effectively, manage team workload and priorities, and ensure accountability against critical path deadlines and deliverables.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable and solutions‑focused team culture, addressing performance or delivery issues where required.
Requirements
- 8+ years in raw material development or sourcing, preferably within leather accessories, footwear, or luxury goods.
- Strong understanding of raw material cost structures, technical specs, and lead times. Familiarity with sustainable materials and certifications (e. g., LWG, REACH).
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP), Zedonk, Priority or equivalent ERP/PDM systems.
Exceptionally detail‑oriented with strong organisational and time management skills.
- Confident negotiator with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Frequent travel within Europe is required, including attendance at industry trade fairs and regular visits to tanneries, manufacturers, and key suppliers.
- Travel will typically include several trips per season in line with the development calendar, supplier audits, development/sourcing initiatives and troubleshooting.
- Fluent in English; Italian is a strong advantage.
- Structured, proactive, and solutions-oriented.
- Must have a full UK driver’s licence
- Right to work in the UK
Benefits
- Hybrid‑working
- Annual Leave package increases the longer you stay with us
- Enhanced company maternity policy
- Employee Discount: 50% off Stock and up to 90% off Seasonal Sample Sales
- Free gift De Mellier bag on successful probation
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Raw Materials Development Manager - 12 Months Maternity Cover employer: DeMellier
DeMellier is an exceptional employer that champions ethical and sustainable practices, creating a work environment where creativity and empowerment thrive. Located in the vibrant city of London, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that prioritises personal growth and development, alongside the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that make a positive impact. Join us to be part of a team that values innovation and social responsibility.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Raw Materials Development Manager - 12 Months Maternity Cover
✨Get Your Hands Dirty in the Industry
For a temporary role in manufacturing, don’t shy away from physically visiting local factories and production sites. A friendly walk-in can often lead to spontaneous interviews or valuable connections, and can really help you get a sense of the workplace vibe.
✨Tap into Seasonal Hiring Windows
Manufacturing often sees spikes in hiring during particular seasons, like summer when production ramps up. Keep an eye on local job boards and community centres, or even visit seasonal job fairs—they’re golden for snagging those temporary roles we’re after.
✨Join Industry-Specific Communities
Consider joining online forums and social media groups specific to manufacturing. Sites like Reddit or even LinkedIn groups can give you insights into open positions and allow you to connect with current employees who might give you an edge in the hiring process.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Site!
With DeMellier looking for temporary talent, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s often the fastest way to get your foot in the door, so make the most of it. Plus, it shows you're proactive—always a win!
We think you need these skills to ace Raw Materials Development Manager - 12 Months Maternity Cover
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Practical Skills:In manufacturing and production, hands-on skills are key! Make sure your CV showcases any relevant experience with machinery, quality control, or assembly line work. If you’ve got certifications related to operating specific equipment, don’t forget to include those too!
Focus on Flexibility and Adaptability:For a temporary role, employers are looking for candidates who can hit the ground running. In your cover letter, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work well under pressure. Share any experiences where you've successfully adjusted to changing circumstances or tight deadlines.
Include Specific Measurements of Your Impact:Manufacturing roles often revolve around efficiency and productivity. If you’ve previously worked in similar roles, be sure to quantify your achievements. For example, mention how you improved production rates or reduced waste – numbers stand out and show you mean business!
Express Your Interest in the Industry:Temporary roles can be a great stepping stone for future opportunities! Take a moment in your application to express why you’re interested in manufacturing and production. Showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make a real difference and may keep doors open for upcoming positions!
How to prepare for a job interview at DeMellier
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
In the manufacturing and production world, they want to see that you can actually handle the tools and machines. Bring along any certifications you have or even pictures of projects you’ve worked on. We want to demonstrate that you're not just a theory person but someone who can jump right in.
✨Emphasise Safety Knowledge
Safety's a huge deal in manufacturing, so make sure you’re clued up about health and safety regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you've followed safety protocols in past roles. It's all about showing you can contribute to a safe working environment at DeMellier.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, highlight your adaptability and willingness to step into different roles as needed. Share examples of times you’ve adjusted quickly to new situations or tackled varied tasks. We want to show you're the go-to person when things get busy!
✨Ask About Team Dynamics
In any temporary role, fitting in quickly is vital. Ask about team dynamics and collaboration processes during the interview. This shows you’re not only ready to contribute but also keen to blend into DeMellier’s culture, making you a valuable asset.
