Leather Yield Engineer (Footwear & Accessories)

About the job

Dr. Martens is a globally recognisable and culturally influential British brand, with 65 years of rich heritage, rooted in craftmanship. As brand custodians, we are lucky to work for a dynamic, thriving, and ethical business, with people from diverse backgrounds, who bring their true selves to work, and where anyone can grow their career.

We are guided by three core values that are at the heart of everything we do: be yourself, act courageously, and show you care. They make us who we are and inspire us to push boundaries, embrace our individuality, and stand up for what's right.

SO, WHAT'S THE STORY?

Leather is at the heart of our craft, and we use a lot of it. As our Leather Yield Specialist, you’ll play a key role in making sure every hide is used to its fullest potential. By driving accuracy, efficiency, and consistency, you’ll help us balance creativity and craftsmanship with smart material usage across our footwear products.

THE GIG

The Leather Yield Specialist is responsible for assessing, verifying, and challenging material yields across all footwear styles to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and best practice.

Key responsibilities include:

• Data Gathering – Identify, through multiple data streams, styles that require revisions to usage.

• Efficiency Optimisation – Analyse new product yields and highlight areas for improvement, ensuring patterns meet specifications, production requirements, and quality standards.

• Pattern Alignment – Drive consistency by standardising continuity style material usages across the supply base.

• Guidelines – Maintain strong standards in leather cutting and ensure suppliers follow best practices.

• Supplier Assessment – Conduct seasonal reviews of supplier performance in material yield efficiencies.

• Documentation – Maintain accurate and detailed records of pattern changes, improvements, and efficiency outcomes.

To be our Leather Yield Engineer, you will have hands-on experience and a keen eye for detail, ideally with a background in leather cutting, pattern work, material efficiency, and flexible approach to work including travel to and work from different locations as required. You will also have the following:

• You will be educated to a diploma level or beyond in Leather Technology or relevant subjects.

• At least 6 years of experience on cutting room floors, plus exposure in pattern making, grading, materials consumption, and/or costing optimisation.

• Strong experience in leather cutting and lay planning.

• Skilled in pattern making, amending, and grading.

• Proficiency with pattern software or yield calculation tools.

• A collaborative team player with excellent communication skills.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to deliver to seasonal timelines.

• You will be fluent in verbal and written English.

• You will hold an appropriate technical qualification or equivalent experience in Leather Technology.

• PC Literate, hands on experience in MS Excel and/or other analytical tools.

• Experience of working in a branded footwear environment with knowledge of product development, costing & bulk manufacture.

• You will have the eligibility to work in Vietnam without a work visa sponsorship.