In short

We are seeking a bold and passionate innovator to drive the implementation and commercialization of key material innovations for the fastest growing footwear brand. Collaborating with innovation and inline teams, this teammate will explore, research, and validate material innovation concepts and manage their full rollout for mass production. This role is designed for a forward-thinker who thrives on exploring new methods of make, pushing the boundaries of performance, and revolutionizing sustainability in sports footwear. As the Senior Lead of Footwear Innovation Development, you will play a pivotal role in transforming cutting-edge material innovations into scalable, high-performance products that reach athletes and fans worldwide. Your expertise in textiles, synthetics, and leathers, combined with your deep understanding of T2 and T3 supply chains, will drive the evolution of footwear materials and ensure they meet the highest standards of performance, manufacturability, and sustainability.

As the Senior Lead, you will own the commercialization of innovation materials, ensuring all critical elements are thoroughly evaluated and implemented to bring these materials to life. You will spearhead the introduction of groundbreaking material concepts, balancing manufacturability with sustainability and brand strategy alignment to build the most innovative footwear solutions. Collaborating closely with innovation, design, inline product creation teams, and sourcing across time zones and countries, you will play a critical role in scaling and transitioning proven innovative concepts into mass production. Your end goal is delivering these innovations directly to athletes across the world. As an individual contributor, this role requires cross-organizational influence and partnership with sourcing and factory partners to guarantee the seamless transfer and rollout of material innovations from concept to mass production, positioning you at the forefront of pioneering new material ideas for our footwear brand.

Your Mission

  • Lead Material Innovation: Own the commercialization of innovative materials, balancing performance, sustainability, and manufacturability to push the boundaries of footwear design.
  • Drive Performance Enhancements: Explore and implement new methods of make that optimize product durability, weight, and responsiveness for high-performance footwear.
  • Bridge Innovation and Mass Production: Collaborate with innovation, design, inline product creation teams, sourcing, and manufacturing partners to validate material concepts and transition them seamlessly into scalable production.
  • Optimize Supply Chain Complexity: Leverage deep knowledge of T2 and T3 supply bases to drive supply chain efficiencies, ensuring materials align with business needs and sustainability goals.
  • Champion Sustainability: Integrate sustainable material solutions into footwear innovation, reducing environmental impact while maintaining peak performance.
  • Influence and Inspire: Lead through expertise and influence, engaging with cross-functional teams to ensure materials innovation is successfully implemented at scale.
  • Manage Commercialization Pathways: Work closely with sourcing teams and supplier development teams to secure smooth, repeatable, and scalable commercialization of new materials.
  • Ensure Strategic Alignment: Align material innovations with brand strategy, sustainability initiatives, and long-term growth objectives. Execute with Excellence: Exhibit outstanding project management skills, prioritizing multiple initiatives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
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  • 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

  • Minimum 8+ years of progressive work experience in the athletic footwear industry, with knowledge of materials, development, and sourcing
  • Expert knowledge in footwear materials, development, sourcing, and commercialization.
  • Deep understanding of and engagement with innovation pipelines across the footwear industry and other relevant sectors.
  • As an individual contributor you have experience in leading through influence, being able to grow and inspire others- taking the lead while being accountable; at the same time being a team player with a positive can do attitude
  • Proven ability to adapt to change and solve complex problems with competing priorities
  • Extensive experience in the athletic footwear industry, with a proven track record of successful footwear product launches
  • Experience with physical property guidelines, fit and wear testing and performance sport demands for product creation.
  • Ability to work independently under a deadline on several projects simultaneously requiring both innovative ideas and engineering problem-solving.
  • Determination and passion; you are an explorer who challenges the status quo and builds the better you.
  • Strong communication skills (verbal & written) as well as the ability to communicate across all levels of the organization and to manage several projects in various stages
  • Language Skills: Fluency in English, knowledge in German and other language a plus
  • This position is based in Zurich Switzerland, with travel to Asia (3-5 trips per year)
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About the Team

We are a small team with big responsibilities. In our Footwear Materials team, we implement and execute the sustainability strategy for the entire company through our footwear materials where we help shape the future of the organization. We conduct research, create strategies, implement projects, and innovate products and processes through the lens of sustainable materials and footwear. One of the main objectives of the team is to drive strategic material sustainability priorities into reality in collaboration with other departments across the company, with a focus on consistent and effective communication and education around these topics. As the Senior Lead, you will also have the important task of leading and influencing the current team and fostering effective collaboration across our global footwear creation team.

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A man smiling to the camera whilst working on a shoe
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.