Senior Lead - Apparel Materials Developer (Performance)

Location: Zurich

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Apparel & Accessories Product Creation

In short

As the Senior Lead Materials Development for Performance in Apparel you will be a key driver of material excellence for our diverse apparel, In our lifestyle product ranges. Your expertise will directly influence apparel design, aesthetic and product quality. You will inspire cross-functional teams with a strategic vision, championing ambitious, sustainable solutions aligned with ON Running’s brand identity. This role requires a proactive and entrepreneurial developer who thrives on challenges and is passionate about material aesthetics, premium quality and authentic sustainability. You will report to the Head of Apparel Material and collaborate closely with Apparel Design, Product Management, and Development Leads.

Your Mission

Guide, Curate and develop a premium material palette: Ensure development material selection enhances the garment's fit, trims, and finishes, aligning with our design and performance identity as the world’s most premium sports brand and premium quality standards. Continuously feed a pipeline of material concepts for design.
Manage concept stage through commercialization handoff material development: Manage material development from initial design brief to product commercialization handoff, following calendar and ensuring clear communication with suppliers.
Drive Sustainability & implement innovation: Work with Head of Apparel Materials, and our innovation and sustainability teams to integrate new preferred materials and commercially ready innovations to inline product. Identify and onboard new material partners and liaise with global sourcing to help build a robust and relevant supplier network.
Financial Acumen: Manage upfront material price, and lead time with suppliers, ensuring alignment with project goals and business objectives.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a key partner to all product creation stakeholders, including Design, Product Management, Development, Testing, and Sales.

Your story

Experience: You have 10+ years of global experience in apparel, material development, or a related industry, with a strong focus on performance apparel product. You can identify materials which will enhance athlete experience and promote On’s mission “Feel nothing to feel everything”.
Technical Expertise: You possess extensive knowledge of materials and trim, natural and synthetic fiber types, wovens, knits, performance finishes, insulation and print techniques. You have developed directional material franchises with global suppliers.
Strategic Vision: You have a strong eye for product aesthetics, a deep awareness of industry trends, and the ability to think and act strategically as it relates to ON Running market positioning.
Communication: You have excellent verbal and written communication skills to collaborate with internal and external partners globally and present complex information effectively. You can present dynamic visual material stories that are understood by Design and Product Marketing.
Organizational Skills: You are highly attentive to detail and skilled in project management, able to balance creative direction with organization in a fast-paced and environment.
Global Exposure: Experience with global material sourcing and development, including travel to key manufacturing hubs, trade fairs and global sourcing offices is a must.

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About the Team

We’re responsible for creating innovative products for On. We have a vital responsibility to meet the needs and demands of our runners and new customers. So we research, design, develop and test lots of ideas scientifically and aesthetically. Only products that pass our rigorous testing standards ever go to market.

Groups of people sit and chat around wooden tables in a brick-walled communal space with hanging paper lanterns and a wall of microwaves in the background.

A woman focussed on working with fabric on the table in front of her.

Sindy

Apparel Developer

We always look for better decisions, we always listen to people and listen to different colleagues. We listen, we digest, and we find the most suitable one for all the team and everybody benefits. That process makes us really innovative.

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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.