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Director of Global Fit & Technical Development
Location: Zurich
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In short
This is a rare opportunity to lead and shape the future direction of technical development and fit innovation for one of the world’s most forward thinking sportswear companies. As the Director of Global Fit & Technical Development, you will spearhead On’s fit strategy, pattern engineering, and technical development function, ensuring that every product delivers on our premium promise and aligns with the brand’s commitment to innovation, performance and customer delight.
Reporting to the Snr Director of Apparel and Accessories Creation & Sourcing, this role is a key member of the Global Apparel leadership team. You will drive the strategic direction of our fit and garment engineering organisation - setting global standards, pioneering new methodologies and inspiring cross functional excellence. Your leadership will influence not just how our products are made, but how they are experienced by athletes and customers around the world.
The Director of Global Fit & Technical Development will work closely with their cross functional partners in Design, Development, Materials, Sourcing, Merchandising, and Quality, to ensure we are delivering products to our customers and athletes which live up to our quality promise. The Director of Global Fit & Technical Development is the face and driver of the Apparel Engineering team, responsible for the technical expertise and fit excellence of On Apparel’s premium product range. Achieving a leading market position requires creative thinking and the ability to inspire all product creation shareholders, in our case through impeccable construction, workmanship, and fit. You will directly lead, influence and impact our product integrity, interpret Design’s creative vision and fit intention, ensure fit consistency, deliver against our premium quality promise, while following a strict development calendar.
This role combines technical expertise in fit, garment construction, pattern engineering, and 3D prototyping, alongside the material and manufacturing processes to ensure the highest quality and performance of our Inline, Athlete, and Special Projects apparel collections.
The Head of Apparel Technical Development alongside the Director of Apparel Creation, co-represents the Apparel Product Creation leadership team that includes peers from our Design, Product Development, Material, Testing, Sourcing, Product Management, and Merchandising teams.
It delivers on the long term apparel creation strategy while being committed to our athletes and customers in launching game changing product innovation and experience. The Head of Apparel Technical Development is the face and driver of the Apparel Engineering team, responsible for the technical expertise and fit excellence of On Apparel’s premium product range. Achieving a leading market position requires creative thinking and the ability to inspire all product creation shareholders, in our case through impeccable construction, workmanship, and fit. You will directly influence and impact our product integrity, interpret Design’s creative vision and fit intention, ensure fit consistency, while following a strict development calendar. This role combines technical expertise in fit, garment construction, pattern engineering, and 3D prototyping, alongside the material and manufacturing processes to ensure the highest quality and performance of our Inline, Athlete, and Special Projects apparel collections.
Your Mission
- Define and lead On’s global fit and technical development strategy, translating business goals, customer insights and product innovation into a scalable, premium experience across all apparel categories
- Elevate technical development as a strategic function - ensuring consistency, excellence, and efficiency across regions, product lines and supply chain partners
- Partner with the cross function product creation and sourcing teams to ensure alignment between our products and our quality expectations, garment wear testing standards, and cost engineering strategy from concept to manufacturing readiness stage
- Lead the evolution of On’s fit standards, grading architecture, and pattern libraries
- Establish and maintain technical fit standards to deliver the best and most consistent fit experience for our global customers, while gaining efficiency from development through bulk production, while continuously improving our fit library, size guides, POMs, and educating the teams
- Implement an efficient process of prototype evaluation and improvements between our global supplier base in conjunction with Zurich Product Development, Apparel Testing, and our Asia Sourcing Office (ASO) Development & Production teams
- Manage and lead the Pattern Engineering, Product Development, and Design teams to expertly conduct fit sessions, patterns reviews, and provide technical expertise and solutions to ensure our garments fit, function, and align to our customers’ expectations. Fully accountable for the Technical Development team.
- Incorporate Fit Blocks, monitor fit model measurements regularly, and maintain grading standards to ensure technical precision, brand integrity, and fit consistency on a variety of global fit goals and standards
- Serve as the brands global voice for fit excellence ensuring we have consistency across our vendor base to deliver against the brand’s global fit strategy
- Partner with cross functional leaders to ensure alignment on Brand strategies and develop product specifications, timelines, and business goals from a technical perspective (i.e. specific regional Fit, Extended Sizing & Grading, Fit & Presentation Models, etc.)
- Collaborate with Zurich Procurement & Quality and Vietnam Quality teams to monitor and evaluate apparel warranty claims, product risk assessment, and Ecomm & Retail product return feedback for continuous improvement and increased customer satisfaction
- Ensure we are continuously supporting the customer feedback as it relates to product fit and quality and implementing it into our product process
- Oversee department budget, model management, and on time delivery for the business
Team Building:
- Mentor, nurture, and inspire the Apparel Engineering team by building a diverse and technically skilled talent pipeline.
- Empower and train your team to excel in premium apparel craftsmanship, technical skill-building, and 3D prototyping while fostering an environment of continuous learning and spearheading industry innovation (i.e. latest garment technologies, processes, workflows, equipment, software)
- Empower and enable the team through coaching, career development, and by fostering an environment of collaboration, belonging, and well-being
- Provide encouraging and effective leadership, education, and support to cross-functional partners (Apparel Product Development, Apparel Testing, Design, Product Management, Merchandising, Sourcing) in areas related to apparel engineering and technical development
- Build strong and impactful business relationships with existing and new global suppliers when it comes to functional product quality standards, technical readiness & expertise, and product innovation & co-creation
- Cultivate a proactive and entrepreneurial team culture alongside long term succession planning for further growth
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Your story
- Bachelor's Degree (minimum) in Product Development, Technical Design, Design, or a related field from a globally recognized university
- 15+ years of experience in apparel technical design or product development, garment manufacturing, etc. working with a wide array of product categories (including but not limited to knits, engineered knits, wovens, intimates, tights, sport bras, seamless, hybrids, outerwear, casual tailoring, etc.) and global manufacturing supplier base
- 15+ years of experience leading high performing technical, product development, or apparel engineering teams, with demonstrated leadership capability, including strong track record in developing diverse talent within a dynamic work environment
- Expert level knowledge in technical development and pattern making in relation to apparel manufacturing, i.e. construction, fit, wear-testing, digital product creation, cost engineering, and material science
- Vast experience working with Design, Product Development, Materials, and Testing teams on new apparel concepts, functional garment problem solving solutions, and wear testing standards
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop technical talent, strong track record in elevating the technical skills of their internal and cross-functional teams
- Proven ability to translate Design’s creative concepts into technically sound products, while solving complex technical challenges with innovative thinking and technically accurate execution
- Diplomatic and open mindset with diverse stakeholders as well as superior communication and presentation skills (highly cultivated verbal and written English).
- Visionary thinker and ability to execute against innovative new approach to global fit which includes technology in conjunction with technical artisanal craftsmanship
- Highly attentive to detail and organization with the superior ability to articulately create and present effective strategy documents to the senior leadership group while effectively leading cross-functional projects toward a vision and execution
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, flexibility, and agility in order to seamlessly navigate change management and bring forth the entrepreneurial spirit when facing unexpected challenges
- Able to balance creativity and entrepreneurial spirit with organisation and discipline in a dynamic and diverse, fast-paced environment
- Proficiency in MS office (Excel/Word), Adobe Design Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), CAD software (Gerber, Lectra, Optitex), 3D Software (Browzwear, V-Stitcher, CLO), and Flex PLM or similar PLM software
About the Team
We are focused, solutions-oriented, and able to take action upon imminent challenges. We establish and follow processes, but are also continuously challenging the status quo and the "industry standard.”
We are engineers that steer pinnacle sportswear design ideas into functional reality. We are able to convert innovative concepts and prototypes into commercialized products with stringent quality and engineering standards, bringing them into the hands of our discerning, global customer base.
Product creation is a mindset and every team member is empowered to make decisions with the understanding that failure is part of the learning and growth process.
As an integrated function in the design and development organization; we are detail-minded problem solvers; guiding and executing apparel technical development within tight timelines and the highest possible product quality, both on the shelf and in use.
About the Team video
Sindy
Apparel Developer
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.
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.