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 elevate 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 pro