Footwear Quality Supervisor

Overview

Richemont is a leading Swiss luxury goods holding company comprising maisons active in jewellery, watches, leather goods and accessories. As an employer it combines artisanal savoir‑faire with global industrial capability, offering career paths that bridge craftsmanship, product development and international operations.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day quality assurance activities for the footwear department, including in‑line and final inspections across production stages.
• Manage and coach a team of quality inspectors and technicians, setting targets and ensuring consistent execution of inspection protocols.
• Define and enforce quality acceptance criteria (AQL) and technical tolerances, working from technical packs, drawings and specifications.
• Conduct root‑cause analyses for non‑conformities and coordinate corrective actions with production, R&D, and suppliers using structured methodologies (8D/FMEA).
• Develop and maintain quality documentation: inspection plans, control charts, test records and non‑conformance reports.
• Oversee supplier and subcontractor quality performance, including audits, sample approvals and pre‑shipment inspections.
• Collaborate with product development and production engineering to validate materials, components and final assemblies for fit, durability and aesthetics.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defect rates, improve first‑pass yield and optimise inspection processes.

Qualifications

• Technical degree or diploma in footwear technology, materials science, industrial engineering or equivalent; higher education in a related field preferred.
• Proven supervisory experience in footwear manufacturing or a closely related leather‑goods environment.
• Solid knowledge of footwear construction, materials (leather, textiles, synthetics) and manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with quality management systems and methodologies (AQL, ISO 9001, FMEA, 8D).
• Ability to interpret technical packs, measurements and geometric tolerances.
• Strong communication skills in order to liaise effectively with production, suppliers and cross‑functional teams.

Skills

Experience

Typically 3–5+ years of hands‑on quality control experience within footwear or leather goods manufacturing, including at least 1–2 years in a supervisory capacity. Experience in luxury or premium segments is highly desirable.

Education

Technical diploma or bachelor's degree in footwear technology, materials science, industrial engineering or a related discipline.

Culture

Richemont places a premium on craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail and the preservation of artisanal traditions within an international business framework. The organisation values collaboration across ateliers, product teams and manufacturing partners while encouraging continuous improvement and technical excellence.