Pre-Industrialization Specialist — Handbags & Small Leather Goods
CELINE — Pre-Industrialization Specialist, Handbags & Small Leather Goods in Strada in Chianti, Italy. Senior role in product-to-production engineering.
Overview
CELINE is an iconic French Maison of leather goods, ready-to-wear and haute couture, operating within the LVMH group. The brand is recognised for its refined craftsmanship, minimalist modernity and commitment to premium artisanal production, combining creative direction with rigorous quality standards across its ateliers and production sites.
Role & Responsibilities
- Assess design and technical feasibility of assigned prototypes and patterns, identifying production risks related to design complexity, materials or assembly techniques.
- Engineer products for industrial production by validating supporting materials (interfacings, reinforcements) for hand-feel, durability, cost and manufacturability.
- Define and document optimal production and assembly sequences to maximise efficiency and ensure consistent quality across serial production.
- Create operational standards and process documentation for each production phase, driving reproducibility between samples and series pieces.
- Specify and propose development of dedicated tooling (forms, jigs, dies, templates) to be manufactured by specialised suppliers.
- Collaborate with modelling, prototyping and production teams to ensure conformity between development-stage specifications and final production output.
Qualifications
- Minimum 10 years' professional experience in pattern making, prototyping or production within leather goods, handbags or small leather goods (LG/SLG).
- Deep, demonstrable knowledge of the complete production cycle for handbags and small leather goods, from preparation through assembly.
- Proven ability to read and interpret patterns and technical drawings; familiarity with relevant production instruments and processes.
- Solid proficiency with CAD tools and enterprise information systems.
- Excellent communication, organisational and problem‑solving skills; proactive team orientation and flexibility in a dynamic production environment.
Skills
Experience
At least 10 years of hands-on experience in pattern making, prototyping or production for leather goods, with direct exposure to handbag and small leather goods manufacturing.
Education
Technical diploma or degree in Fashion Design, Industrial Engineering, Leather Goods Technology or equivalent practical experience; specialised training in pattern making or product engineering is preferred.
Culture
CELINE promotes a culture of craftsmanship, precision and contemporary aesthetic, where attention to detail and material excellence are paramount. The production site fosters close collaboration between creative, technical and manufacturing teams and values inclusivity, professionalism and continuous improvement.