Bootmaker Specialist

Department: Manufacturing | Location: 40 Walter Jones Blvd., El Paso, TX 79906 | Full‑time, 40–55 hours/week | Schedule: Monday–Friday 6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; overtime and Saturday shifts may be required per production needs. Reports to Manufacturing Manager.

About the role

The Boot Maker Specialist at Lucchese is responsible for crafting, assembling, repairing, and finishing high‑quality boots to specification and customer requirements. The role involves working with leather and other materials, using specialized footwear tools and machinery, and ensuring precise fit, comfort, durability, and appearance. The specialist inspects finished products for quality, identifies and corrects defects, and follows workplace safety and production standards. Strong attention to detail, craftsmanship, knowledge of footwear construction, and the ability to work independently or in a team are essential. The successful candidate is a hands‑on manufacturing leader who balances people leadership with operational execution, comfortable making decisions on the production floor, communicating across departments, analyzing problems, and motivating employees to meet safety, quality, cost, and delivery targets.

Job scope

Performs various operations across all departments and provides backup coverage in the absence of other team members. This position requires flexibility, technical dexterity across multiple stations, attention to detail, and adherence to production and quality expectations. Operations may include trimming, stitching, sanding, edge smoothing, cement application, lacing, taping, cover‑side stitch application, and boot repair.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily activities of manufacturing team members.
• Monitor production, efficiency, quality, and schedule adherence.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety procedures, and manufacturing standards.
• Assign work, prioritize activities, and balance staffing per production requirements.
• Train, mentor, and support team members to improve performance and technical skills.
• Identify production issues, conduct root‑cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate closely with Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Materials, and Production Planning teams.
• Monitor equipment, materials, and processes to minimize downtime and production disruptions.
• Maintain accurate production records, reports, and performance metrics.
• Promote lean manufacturing, 5S, continuous improvement, and waste‑reduction initiatives.
• Escalate safety, quality, equipment, or production issues to management when necessary.
• Support new product introductions, process changes, and manufacturing projects.
• Foster teamwork, accountability, communication, and a positive work culture.
• Build and assemble boots per design specifications, patterns, and required measurements.
• Cut, shape, stitch, and join leather or synthetic materials.
• Prepare and assemble boot uppers, soles, heels, insoles, and other components.
• Operate and maintain footwear tools, sewing machines, presses, grinders, and other equipment.
• Perform boot fitting and modifications to ensure proper sizing, comfort, and functionality.
• Repair, replace, and recondition damaged boot components as needed.
• Inspect materials and finished boots for defects, alignment, stitching, strength, and overall quality.
• Follow production processes to meet schedules and achieve required quality and productivity standards.
• Maintain accurate production measurements, patterns, and specifications.
• Keep tools, machinery, and work areas clean, organized, and in safe condition.
• Follow occupational health and safety procedures and use personal protective equipment correctly.
• Minimize material waste and use leather and other supplies efficiently.
• Coordinate with supervisors, designers, quality control personnel, and other production team members.
• Identify production problems and recommend or implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Stay current on new boot‑making techniques, materials, tools, and production methods.

Required skills & abilities

• Ability to read, interpret, and accurately follow production tickets and work orders.
• Footwear manufacturing or production experience preferred.
• Good hand‑eye coordination and attention to detail.
• Ability to stand and perform repetitive work for extended periods.
• Reliable, quality‑focused, and able to work as part of a production team.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to meet daily production quotas while maintaining quality standards.
• Willingness to work overtime as required by production.
• Productivity and work efficiency.

Safety requirements

• Comply with all company safety policies and procedures, as well as applicable federal, state, and local occupational safety and health regulations.
• Lead by example, promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and hazard awareness across the production team.
• Ensure team members consistently use required personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow safe work practices.
• Conduct routine safety observations, work‑area inspections, and housekeeping activities to identify and correct potential hazards.
• Promptly report, investigate, and document workplace injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions, and safety incidents, implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure employees receive required safety training and reinforce compliance with established safety procedures and safe operating practices.
• Support emergency preparedness activities, including evacuation procedures, emergency response protocols, and participation in safety drills.
• Stop or suspend work activities when an unsafe condition poses an immediate risk to employees, equipment, product quality, or the environment, notifying management promptly.
• Maintain a clean, organized, hazard‑free work area in accordance with 5S methodology and company housekeeping standards.
• Perform all job functions in a manner that protects the health and safety of employees, contractors, visitors, company assets, and the environment.

Quality & process excellence

• Ensure all products meet Lucchese quality standards and customer expectations.
• Promote and enforce compliance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Prevent unauthorized process changes and channel improvement opportunities through the proper approval process.
• Collaborate with Quality and Manufacturing leaders on root‑cause investigations and corrective action implementation.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve processes, workflow, and product and operational quality.

Physical requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the work shift.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb ladders, and reach above shoulder level occasionally.
• Ability to frequently use hands and fingers to handle, grasp, and operate tools, equipment, keyboards, and other production‑related devices.
• Ability to visually inspect products, equipment, production processes, and work‑area conditions at close and far distances.
• Ability to hear and respond to verbal instructions, alarms, and other workplace communications.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or move materials or equipment up to 50 lb (22.7 kg); with or without assistance or mechanical lifting devices, handle heavier loads when necessary.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, moving equipment, temperature variations, noise, dust, and other industrial conditions, using required PPE at all times.

Experience & certifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of related boot‑making experience.
• College degree or equivalent.
• 3–5+ years of manufacturing experience, preferably with leadership or team‑lead responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of production processes, quality systems, and workplace safety.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Six Sigma,