Raw Materials R&D Coordinator

Within the Leather Goods Raw Materials team of the maison, reporting to the Head of Department, the Raw Materials R&D Coordinator will support the development and coordination of materials for Leather Goods collections, acting as the key interface between Design, Product Development, Industrialization, Purchasing and external suppliers.

The role combines project coordination, material research and cross-functional collaboration to ensure the successful development of innovative materials aligned with creative vision, quality standards, sustainability commitments and industrial feasibility.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

• Act as the main point of contact between the Design Accessories Team and the Raw Materials team, collecting and translating creative inputs into development activities.
• Coordinate the development of new materials, finishes, colors and special applications together with internal teams, external suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Ensure the smooth execution of material development projects, monitoring timing, priorities and deliverables throughout the collection calendar.
• Facilitate communication across Design, Product Development, Industrialization, Purchasing and Production to ensure alignment during all development phases.
• Monitor quality testing activities and ensure compliance with environmental, safety and Maison standards.
• Support supplier management by maintaining strong partnerships and identifying opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Conduct market research on material innovation, emerging technologies, sustainability initiatives and industry trends.
• Support preliminary material costing and contribute to the evaluation of development feasibility.

TECHNICAL SKILLS – PORTRAIT OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Degree in Fashion, Engineering, Materials, Product Development or a related field.
• 4–6 years of experience within Leather Goods, Materials Development, Product Development or related functions in the luxury industry.
• Strong understanding of leather goods materials and product development processes.
• Experience managing cross-functional projects involving creative and industrial stakeholders.
• Ability to build effective relationships with Design teams, suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Solution-oriented mindset with excellent coordination and problem-solving abilities.
• Curiosity, creativity and a genuine interest in material innovation and craftsmanship.
• Strong sensitivity to quality, sustainability and continuous improvement.
• Fluent English (C1/C2), French and Italian are considered a strong