Lead - Apparel Product Manager, Performance Run

Location: Zurich

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Product Strategy

In short

We are seeking a highly experienced Lead, Product Manager to join our Apparel Product Strategy team, focusing on the Performance Run segment. This is a pivotal role that offers a unique opportunity to help shape the future of our brand by leading the largest and most technical segment within On’s performance apparel. The ideal candidate will bring 7+ years of specialized experience in performance apparel, combining deep expertise in the product lifecycle with a strong understanding of fabrics, fit, construction, and emerging market trends within the sports apparel industry. You will act as an informal leader for a highly collaborative cross-functional team, driving both long-term strategic vision and daily product execution.

Your Mission

Apparel Product Strategy & Vision: Drive the creation and execution of the 3-5 year global product strategy for Performance Run Apparel, ensuring alignment with Consumer and brand goals, market trends, and technical innovation.
Product Briefing & Execution: With a Consumer first mindset you translate high-level strategic goals into clear, actionable product briefs and solutions for Design and Development, ensuring feasibility, quality, and alignment with brand direction.
Market Intelligence & Trend Analysis: Conduct sophisticated market research and competitive analysis, with a keen eye on both performance running innovations and broader fashion/apparel trends. Leverage these insights to create culturally relevant and commercially successful assortments.
Cross-Functional Leadership Skills: Excellent communicator, collaborator and mentor who thrives in cross-functional partnerships, particularly with Design, Development, Merchandising and Marketing, to bring a unified, consumer-centered product vision to life. Drive consensus and ensure seamless execution of seasonal product lines and capsule collections.
Strategic, Creative & Operational Balance: Deliver against both the strategic development of seasonal product releases and the day-to-day operational excellence of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) work combined with an innovative mindset that facilitates teams to innovate and push the boundaries of creativity.
Fabric & Product Expertise: Serve as a partner to the Material Specialist ensuring fabrication meets the brief and withstands the rigours of commercialization.
Product Data Management: Accurately manage all product data across multiple collections within the PLM system, ensuring timely and meticulous updates in line with dedicated creation calendars. Ability to travel frequently, including internationally.

Your story

Specialized Apparel Experience: 7+ years of experience in global product teams, with a proven track record in the performance or technical sportswear apparel industry.
Technical & Trend Fluency: Strong, demonstrated understanding of fabric technology, performance attributes, construction methods, and current apparel fashion trends.
Leadership & Communication: Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to positively influence stakeholders across all functions and levels without formal reporting authority.
Passion for Movement: A personal connection to, and deep understanding of, the running consumer and the culture of performance sport.
Strategic & Operational Acumen: Proven ability to manage high-volume, complex projects while simultaneously defining and driving a long-term product vision.
System Proficiency: Demonstrated advanced proficiency in product systems and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) tools.
Skilled at navigating fast-paced, creative environments with multiple priorities. Fluent in English (written and spoken).

two women sitting at a table talking with laptops

About the Team

As the Product Strategy team, we’re responsible for managing product creation to facilitate go to market efforts; concept to consumer. Our cross functional interaction is driven by a consumer-focused mindset to ensure we create a product line that sells in and through.

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.

Hyeyoung

Head of Strategic Product Initiatives

The way we solve problems is very unique and that brings a very unique energy into it. It motivates me everyday, waking up with this excitement that's quite unusual.

Happy women smiling and chatting in the office

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.