Trainee Leather Artisan – Colour Restoration

North East

Craft type
Textile
Opportunity type
Employment
Full/part time
Full time
Paid/unpaid
Paid

Provider

The Handbag Clinic
Unit 10 Hobson Industrial Estate
Burnopfield
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE16 6EA, UK

Details

The Handbag Clinic is a luxury aftercare and resale service specialising in the restoration, authentication, and sale of designer handbags. They are seeking a creative individual to join their Artisan team.

The role involves working on a wide range of designer pieces, from brands such as Coach through to Hermès, supporting both direct-to-consumer repairs and aftercare services for luxury houses including Burberry, Bulgari, and Céline. A strong understanding of colour theory and an art-based background are essential, as precision, creativity, and attention to detail are key to delivering exceptional restoration work.

The role offers clear progression opportunities, including advancement to Artisan, Senior Artisan, and Technical Lead levels, as well as the chance to develop specialist skills such as working with exotic leathers or becoming an expert in Louis Vuitton replacement work.

Responsibilities: 

  • Deliver high-quality cleaning, colour restoration, and repair work on luxury designer handbags for direct-to-consumer, business-to-business, and Marketplace items, consistently meeting brand and company standards.
  • Work across a wide range of luxury brands, completing repairs within agreed timeframes and to the appropriate level of complexity for your role.
  • Carry out artisanal restoration work with precision and attention to detail, meeting or exceeding individual performance targets.
  • Accurately log, track, and process all items through internal systems, ensuring data, timings, and workflows are correctly maintained.
  • Manage items responsibly throughout the repair process, ensuring safe, organised storage during and after cleaning or restoration.
  • Support continuous improvement by contributing to research into new products, techniques, and methods to enhance service quality.
  • Collaborate closely with Technical Leads, Senior and Principal Artisans to develop skills, refine techniques, and progress within the role.
  • Provide feedback to the Technical and Leadership teams, including repair timings and observations to support planning accuracy and operational efficiency.
  • Maintain tools, equipment, and machinery responsibly, reporting maintenance needs where required.
  • Uphold a clean, safe, and well-organised Clinic environment, adhering to all Health & Safety policies and procedures.
  • Support Senior Artisans, Principal Artisans, and the Clinic or Warehouse Management team with ad hoc tasks as required.

Sifts are eight hours across weekdays, with occasional overtime required.

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