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Senior Specialist - Footwear Materials
Location: Zurich
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In short
As Senior Specialist – Footwear Materials, you will drive performance materials in line with the company vision. The role focuses on material creation, development, and technical execution for high-performance footwear products. Reporting to the Footwear Materials Team Lead, you will support the execution of the global material strategy, manage projects from concept to production, and collaborate closely with Design, Development, Product Marketing, and Sustainability teams. You are the technical lead for material integrity and industrialization, transforming material concepts into scalable, high-performance solutions. You will own technical specifications, quality standards, and sourcing execution for textiles and components, ensuring all materials meet performance and sustainability benchmarks. Acting as the link between global T2 suppliers and T1 product factories, you will ensure seamless integration from development through to mass production.
Your Mission
- Support the creation and sourcing of technical, high-performance materials in line with design briefs, collaborating with cross-functional teams.
- Ensure material availability according to timelines, sourcing policies, quality standards, and target prices.
- Contribute to material-specific targets aligned with the sustainability roadmap.
- Identify opportunities for innovation in material performance, sustainability, and efficiency for footwear products.
- Lead material and component specifications for product creation, including color applications using Adobe Illustrator and PLM systems.
- Oversee the material lifecycle, ensuring all materials are tested, approved, and continuously improved through expertise in yarns, material structures, and polymers.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with T2 suppliers and T1 factory teams to support material development, quality, and process improvements.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of the material library and tools for the product creation teams.
- Collaborate with internal teams (EUR / NAM / ASIA) — Design, Product Development, Product Management, Innovation, Sustainability, and Testing — to ensure alignment and successful execution of material initiatives.
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Your story
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in Footwear Textile Sciences, Textile Engineering/Technology, or a related field; Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
- 5+ years of global experience in performance footwear material development, including collaboration with Asia-based suppliers and factories.
- Extensive experience traveling globally to T2 suppliers and T1 factories to develop and source materials.
- Proven experience managing material development projects from concept through production.
- Strong understanding of footwear design and performance technology in the technical performance category, with an eye for aesthetics and awareness of industry and material trends.
- Demonstrated ability to implement innovation through performance materials and contribute strategically to projects.
- High attention to detail, with the ability to organize and create clear presentations and documentation.
- Strong understanding of industry processes, able to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written English) and a collaborative mindset when working with diverse stakeholders.
- Able to balance creativity with organization and discipline in a fast-paced environment.
- Adaptable and solution-oriented, with the ability to navigate change and bring an entrepreneurial mindset to unexpected challenges.
About the Team
The Footwear Materials team develops and delivers the company’s sustainability strategy for footwear materials. The team conducts research, defines material strategies, and supports projects that advance more sustainable materials, products, and processes. The team works closely with cross-functional partners to embed material sustainability priorities into footwear creation, with a strong focus on effective communication and knowledge sharing. As a Senior Specialist, you will contribute technical expertise, support the execution of material strategy, and ensure high-performance materials are successfully integrated across footwear products.
About the Team video
Ernest
Footwear Development, Ho Chi Minh City
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.