Leather Technical Specialist

Leather Technical Specialist

Company Description: Watch here to see what it's like to work at Red Wing Shoe Company. Red Wing Shoe Company is based in Red Wing, Minnesota, just 40 minutes from St. Paul, where our corporate office sits along the Mississippi River in downtown Red Wing. We are a global company with 2300 employees around the world, but we maintain a close-knit family atmosphere that comes with being a privately-held company. We're rich in history and tradition, but innovation drives us to deliver best-in-class product solutions and highly rated customer experiences. Focus on our employees and company culture results in meaningful employee engagement across the organization. Our guiding behaviors of living our values, honoring our brands, inspiring our people, centering on our customers, and preserving the long term success and legacy of our company are the foundation on which we build our future. Our comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with health savings and flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance, generous paid time off and holidays, a 401(k) match, employee discounts, and valuable well-being benefits like free EAP services, financial planning assistance, and well-being coaching all designed to support your health and financial security. The targeted hiring range for this full-time position is $53,200 - $71,800 depending on qualifications; however, the expanded salary range provides opportunities for advancement. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and job location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, competencies, experience, and relevant education, training or a combination of these things and market demand. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range and benefits for your location during the hiring process.

General Purpose Of Job: Lead and support the chemical and technical aspects of leather development. This role blends hands-on expertise in tanning chemistry with project coordination, quality assurance, and customer support.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:

• Develop and refine leather styles using advanced tanning and finishing techniques
• Coordinate R&D processes, including chemical formulations and testing
• Track sample requests and manage development timelines
• Ensure new products meet internal and client quality standards
• Conduct chemical and physical inspections (e.g., pH, dye penetration, tensile strength)
• Provide technical support to clients and internal teams
• Integrate sustainable practices and stay current on industry innovations

Qualifications:

• Minimum education and experience: Degree in Leather Technology, Chemistry, or related field 3+ years in leather manufacturing or technical development
• Strong knowledge of tanning systems (chrome, vegetable, synthetic)
• Familiarity with chemical safety and environmental regulations
• Excellent communication and documentation skills

Additional Information: Red Wing Shoes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. Individuals with disabilities needing assistance in completing an application may contact rwsc.recruitment@redwingshoes.com or call 651-388-8211.