Fabricates and repairs leather articles such as wallets, cases, harnesses and saddlery.

Cuts and prepares leather to design specifications, patterns and drawings; joins parts of leather articles using rivets, hand sewing, sewing machines, tools and adhesive; restores and repairs leather articles; designs patterns and prototypes of boots and shoes; makes and grades patterns using manual and computerised methods; clicks synthetics, corrected grains, leather linings and leather outers by hand and machine; alters and repairs footwear.

• Works indoors in workrooms or workshops.
• The work area will usually be adequately heated and ventilated.

• Physical demand is medium.
• Standing is constantly required at workbenches. Walking is frequently required about the work area to facilitate the use of various tables, pieces of equipment and the selecting of appropriate leather and other materials for the project. Sitting is occasionally required on a stool while working. Squatting, crouching or kneeling is not a significant component of the job.
• Stretching up and across is occasionally required. Bending is occasionally required over machines and products being marked out, cut or assembled.
• Twisting of the body or neck is not a significant feature of the job.
• Contact with water or skin irritants is not generally required, although strong glues or adhesives and dyes or stains will be used on the leather.
• Lifting and carrying is frequently required when picking up saddles and other items such as leather supplies.
• Repetitive movements of the hands and arms for cutting, sewing, riveting and hole-punching with leather are frequently required.
• Driving is not required.
• There is a frequent requirement for use of a range of hand and electric tools and equipment including measuring equipment, cutting instruments or machines, heavy duty sewing machines and a variety of other hand tools such as rivet machines and punches.
• Mental skills necessary include sewing and other practical skills as well as problem-solving and organisational skills.

A New Zealand Register Level 4 qualification or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement.