Leather Cutter and Making Coordinator in London

Reporting to: General Manager and Production Director

Location: 9 St James’s Street, London, SW1A 1EF

About John Lobb

We were established in 1849 by John Lobb and are now run by the fifth generation of the Lobb family. John Lobb learned the craft of boot making in Cornwall during the Victorian era, and before opening his first premises in London was granted a Royal Warrant as Bootmaker to Edward, Prince of Wales. The craftsmanship, quality and service that became synonymous with the name John Lobb around the world have been preserved through the decades by the Lobb family and remain alive and well at 9 St James’s Street, London. The business has remained in the hands of the Lobb family for five generations and today, they and their incredible team continue to practice the craft, offering the highest quality, handmade footwear and accessories to discerning customers throughout the world.

About the role

Overview: We are looking for either an experienced rough stuff cutter or someone who possesses all the requisite personal qualities and aptitude who we can train. Once the uppers have been made, the role of the rough stuff cutter is broadly threefold:

• To select and cut the different pieces of leather and other materials for the bottom-making of our shoes and boots and building the soles and heels.
• To organise and co-ordinate the distribution of work among our crafts team.
• The ordering and organisation of raw materials for the making of the shoes; and maintaining stocks and supplies of ancillary and sundry items both for the workshop and for sale to customers.

The rough stuff cutter has a wide range of responsibilities and the meticulous organisation of their department is critical to the smooth operation of the shoe making process. They are an essential part of the team who must not only have an extensive knowledge of and enjoy working with leather, but who must also have excellent communication skills and be able to take responsibility for the work of multiple crafts people. The role involves lifting of heavy leather and other items and so the rough stuff cutter must be physically fit and able to carry this out safely.

Summary of responsibilities:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following to be carried out in line with KPIs set by the General Manager:

• Materials, Inventory and Procurement:
  • Checking, selecting and cutting leather and other materials for the shoemakers.
  • Organising rubber soles with suppliers.
  • Monitoring and maintaining inventory levels for leather and other raw materials, as well as for stock sundry and ancillary items for the workshop.
  • Quality checking stock on arrival.
  • Dealing with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers if needed.
  • Carrying out regular stock takes.
  • Organising and keeping track of stock and sample shoes.
  • Organising and overseeing the lasts in storage.
• Production Coordination:
  • Organising, distributing and co-ordinating work among shoemakers and repairers, using our online production tracking system.
  • Communicating with shoemakers and suppliers, and addressing their queries or concerns.
  • Quality checking work returned from shoemakers and taking responsibility for issues that may arise.
  • Communicating production progress in weekly management meetings.
  • Checking shoemakers’ and other suppliers’ invoices and communicating with the accounts department.
  • Filing and organising documents and paperwork and keeping all records well organised.
  • Being the point of contact to our Last and Tree-making workshop. Coordinating and organising the work.

Essential demonstrable experience, qualifications, and skills:

• Craft skills and experience:
  • An extensive knowledge and understanding of the several types, grains, weights, durability, flexibility, and other characteristics of available bottom-making leathers.
  • The ability to assess leather for its quality and suitability.
  • Expertise in cutting and working with leather.
  • The necessary skills to safely handle and look after the sharp knives and other tools used in the role.
• Personal skills and attributes:
  • Practical
  • Energetic
  • Common sense and initiative
  • Helpful and friendly
  • Physically fit and strong (to carry out the role and lift bundles of leather).
  • Excellent organisational and communication skills
  • Excellent eye for detail
  • IT Literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
  • Disciplined and self-motivated
  • Comfortable working to KPIs and working under pressure
  • Flexibility and adaptability to different situations or demands or variations to the role
  • Willing and able to learn and teach what they have learnt to others

Hours and location:

Hours: Full time. 9:00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, provided that the successful candidate will be available to work on Saturdays as required (with the following Monday off in lieu), and such additional hours as necessary.

Location: 9 St James’s Street, London, SW1A 1EF.

Salary and benefits:

Salary: Dependent on qualifications and experience.

Benefits: 20 day’s paid holiday per year for full time; reduced pro rata for part time. You may be entitled to become a member of the pension scheme made available by the Company, subject to satisfying certain eligibility criteria and subject to the rules of such scheme as amended from time to time.

Variations to role: This role brief describes the principal purpose and main elements of the job. It is intended as a guide only to the nature and duties of the role. It is not intended as a comprehensive or permanent role brief or job description and is not part of the contract of employment. The Company reserves the right to amend this role brief at any time in response to business needs.