In short

As our Chief R&D and Sourcing Officer (SVP) based in Zurich, Switzerland, you will lead a diverse, high-performing global organization, driving process optimization and system improvements across innovation, product creation (materials, engineering, development, testing), product operations, and our sourcing teams. This team of 350+ passionate and dedicated team members is the engine that powers our ambition to become the world’s most premium sportswear brand. You will work as a strategic yet hands-on leader, alongside the Chief Design Officer and Chief Product Officer, to bring cutting-edge products to market, while optimizing processes, fostering innovation, and ensuring operational excellence across all functions. In this pivotal role, you will inspire and mentor a talented, cross-functional team, setting new benchmarks for collaboration, innovation, and scalability. With deep expertise in leading complex R&D organizations and global sourcing operations, you will ensure that our product pipeline—from concept through to production—is both agile and world-class. This role will require you to zoom in and out balancing impacting the now by being hands on with impacting the company’s trajectory leveraging your strategic and visionary thinking.

Your Mission

  • Lead, grow and enable the global R&D and sourcing organization, ensuring seamless collaboration across product innovation, product creation, operations, and sourcing teams
  • Embed a culture of operational excellence and process-driven innovation.
  • Establish best practices and systems that enhance productivity, reduce time to market, and ensure quality and compliance across all teams.
  • Partner closely with product strategy and design teams to ensure all product initiatives are aligned with our vision of becoming the most premium sportswear brand globally
  • Build and scale a high-performance team that thrives on cross-functional collaboration and operational excellence, while fostering an environment of inclusivity, development, and accountability
  • Foster leadership at every level, with a clear focus on developing and nurturing the next level of leadership within the organization. Mentor, coach, and empower emerging leaders to ensure a robust succession pipeline that sustains long-term success
  • Ensure that all sourcing strategies are aligned with our product goals, driving efficiency, reliability, and innovation from suppliers and partners
  • Implement and scale robust systems that foster collaboration across global teams and streamline processes across product creation and sourcing.
  • Stay ahead of industry trends and technological advancements to maintain our competitive edge in R&D and sourcing
Group of girls smiling
  • Man and woman sat at desks talking
  • Open planned office with men and women sat on a a large curved sofa
  • Group of runners talking outside the office
  • A team of people sat on the steps with a view of mountains outside the office.
  • Two women smiling at each other in a meeting room with large curved windows
  • A group of people sat around a table looking at large design papers
  • 3 men sat around with laptops smiling at each other
  • a large group of runners holding an On flag smiling at the camera
  • Man and woman sat at desks talking
  • Open planned office with men and women sat on a a large curved sofa
  • Group of runners talking outside the office
  • A team of people sat on the steps with a view of mountains outside the office.
  • Two women smiling at each other in a meeting room with large curved windows
  • A group of people sat around a table looking at large design papers
  • 3 men sat around with laptops smiling at each other
  • a large group of runners holding an On flag smiling at the camera
  • Man and woman sat at desks talking
  • Open planned office with men and women sat on a a large curved sofa
  • Group of runners talking outside the office
  • A team of people sat on the steps with a view of mountains outside the office.
  • Two women smiling at each other in a meeting room with large curved windows
  • A group of people sat around a table looking at large design papers
  • 3 men sat around with laptops smiling at each other
  • a large group of runners holding an On flag smiling at the camera

Your story

  • 15+ years of global leadership experience in high-performing R&D and sourcing organizations, preferably within consumer goods or sportswear industries
  • Visionary and entrepreneurial product leader at heart with a passion for building and mentoring world-class teams, capable of fostering innovation and delivering superior results
  • Track record of building and improving processes and systems in complex, multinational and cross-functional organizations, driving operational efficiencies without compromising on innovation or quality.
  • Demonstrated experience in transforming, evolving, and scaling organizations, aligning people, processes, and technology
  • Expertise in managing end-to-end product creation, including engineering and development, with a strong network and understanding of global sourcing, especially in Southeast Asia
  • Experience collaborating with design, product strategy, and GTM teams at the executive level, acting as a key partner in defining and executing product roadmaps
  • Strong academic background in technical/engineering fields (or a combination of business and engineering) is beneficial, with a deep understanding of the product creation lifecycle, from innovation through to sourcing and manufacturing
  • Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels, internally and externally
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About the Team

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A man smiling to the camera whilst working on a shoe

Explorer

Explorer

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Successful creation is all about thinking differently. We celebrate crazy ideas and face challenges head-on to shape better, more innovative products and inspire a better brand.

Learn about our Spirits
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Ernest

Footwear Development, Ho Chi Minh City

Unlike other brands, we aren't just executioners out here in Vietnam, we give ideas as well. Sometimes they have a new idea in Zurich and we might find a process to make it more efficient and we share that.
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What we offer

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.

Build the better you

What to expect

We want to set everyone up for success, so here’s the lowdown on how we hire. Our process is a two-way street – bringing you into our culture, while helping us learn how you think.

Our full process can last about eight weeks from application to offer, because we care about getting it right. These steps explain how we usually do things.

Before you get started, feel free to consider if you want to work with us. Strange question? Well, we give people a lot of space to navigate their day-to-day and that style isn't for everyone. We want you to be passionate about what you do and be sure this is the right fit. Because when skills and passion combine – it creates that 'Wow' moment.