Raw Materials Associate - Non-Apparel

ABOUT KHAITE

KHAITE is a way of looking at the world. Shaped by formative encounters, cultural touchstones, and secret desires, this point of view comes to life through womenswear and accessories that find confidence in contrast. Each piece proposes a fresh balance of opposing elements- masculine and feminine, strength and softness, structure and fluidity- while embodying a signature sensuality and ease. 

Founded in 2016 by creative director Catherine Holstein and based in New York, KHAITE evolves with each season, building upon a foundation of robust yet polished items distinguished by exceptional materials, exquisite craftsmanship, and subtle yet striking details. 

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

We are looking for a Raw Material Associate, Non-Apparel to join the KHAITE team to own the day-to-day management of raw materials across non-apparel production. This role will report to the Raw Material Manager, who leads research, development, and industrialization, and will be based in Italy (Florence preferred). This role carries the production end: ensuring that every material qualified in development is available, compliant, and delivered in the right quantity, quality, and timing to keep production flowing without compromise to luxury standards.

This is a hands-on, execution-focused position at the intersection of sourcing, quality, and production. The Associate is the operational link between the material development pipeline and the factory floor, translating approved specifications into a reliable, well-controlled flow of leather, fabrics, and components. The right candidate thinks in systems, anticipates shortages before they become delays, and holds suppliers to KHAITE quality without losing pace.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Raw Material Planning & Availability

• Plan and secure raw material requirements against the seasonal production and delivery calendar, converting order forecasts into material needs.
• Monitor stock coverage and consumption; anticipate shortages and escalate risks early with a clear recommended action.
• Manage material lead times and buffers to protect on-time production without over-committing working capital.

Supplier & Tannery Coordination

• Act as day-to-day contact with tanneries and material suppliers on open orders, deliveries, priorities, and issue resolution.
• Expedite deliveries and manage priorities across suppliers in line with production requirements and client commitments.
• Support the Raw Material Manager in supplier follow-up, capacity checks, and continuity of supply.

Incoming Quality & Compliance

• Verify incoming leather, fabrics, and components against approved specifications, standards, and quantities — on-site and at external tanneries.
• Identify and manage non-conformities: quarantine, supplier claims, replacements, and root-cause follow-up to prevent recurrence.
• Maintain material references, test records, and documentation so approvals and traceability are complete and audit-ready.

Production Support & Flow

• Ensure materials are staged and released to cutting, assembly, and sub-contractors (terzisti) in the right sequence.
• Coordinate with cutting and production teams on consumption, yields, and component readiness for both production and sampling.
• Track work-in-progress on the material side and reconcile issued vs. returned materials from external processes.

Inventory, Data & Cost

• Maintain accurate inventory and material movement records (goods receipt, delivery notes / bolle, transfers).
• Support consumption accuracy and cost control; flag deviations between planned and actual material usage.
• Contribute clean, reliable data for reporting on availability, quality, and supplier performance.

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

• Experience — Proven track record managing raw materials in footwear, leather goods, or accessories production, ideally within a luxury supply chain.
• Material knowledge — Strong practical understanding of leather and materials, incoming quality control, and the cutting-to-production flow.
• Operational rigor — Highly organized, detail-driven, and calm under production pressure; solves root causes rather than symptoms.
• Supplier fluency — Comfortable managing tanneries and suppliers directly on quality, priorities, and delivery.
• Systems & data — Confident with ERP / inventory systems and Office; disciplined about data accuracy.
• Language — Fluent Italian; working English is an advantage for collaboration with the New York team.
• Mobility — Based within reach of the production territory and available for regular travel to tanneries and suppliers.

Preferred:

• Experience across both raw material warehouse / operations and production coordination.
• Exposure to technical documentation, material specifications, and industrialization hand-off.
• Background collaborating with luxury or premium brands on quality and development.

Please note: This job description does not list all the duties of the job. Employees may be asked by management to perform other duties. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time.

OUR VALUES

• Creativity ~ We are always imagining, never imitating.
• Integrity ~ We do the right thing.
• Kindness ~ We value people and their ideas, so we act and speak with compassion.
• Agility ~ We move with intention, flexibility, and speed to stay ahead.
• Tenacity ~ We are insatiable. Our drive is relentless.

KHAITE is an equal opportunity employer. We want to offer an inclusive environment of mutual respect where we welcome diversity and all our employees feel included, developed, and heard. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. KHAITE recruits and recognizes all types of talent and singularities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.