In short
As Lead – Footwear Materials, you will take responsibility for executing the global performance materials strategy and advancing material technology in line with the company vision. The role includes overseeing material creation, advanced development, and technical execution, as well as collaborating across functions to support performance, sustainability, and high-performance product objectives. Reporting to the Footwear Materials Team Lead, you will manage material development projects across multiple seasons, support the execution of the global materials strategy, and work closely with Design, Development, Product Management, and Sustainability teams. You may also mentor junior specialists depending on project scope, and guide cross-functional partners to deliver material solutions from concept through to production.
Your Mission
- Define, develop, and lead the creation and strategic sourcing of technical, high-performance materials in accordance with design briefs, product roadmaps, timelines, sourcing policies, and sustainability requirements.
- Establish and manage material availability standards, sourcing policies, and quality assurance processes, supporting target prices and adherence to program timelines across the supply chain.
- Lead material development workstreams within assigned projects, coordinating across multiple product seasons to ensure alignment with program objectives.
- Drive and report on material-specific targets in line with the company sustainability roadmap, ensuring compliance and supporting continuous improvement.
- Create and maintain material and component specifications, color applications, and related documentation using Adobe Illustrator and PLM systems, supporting the adoption of best practices within the team.
- Manage the material lifecycle, ensuring all materials are robustly tested, approved, and continuously improved, leveraging expertise in yarns, material structures, and polymers.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with T2 material 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 used across the product creation team, supporting both inline and special projects.
- Support the implementation of next-generation material performance initiatives and the achievement of material-specific sustainability targets in line with the company roadmap, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams — Design, Product Development, Product Management, Innovation, Sustainability, and Testing — across regions (EU / NAM / ASIA) 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.
- 8+ years of experience in performance footwear material development, including collaboration with Asia-based suppliers and factories.
- Extensive global travel experience to T2 material suppliers and T1 factories to create, develop, and source materials.
- Proven experience managing cross-functional material development projects from concept to production.
- Deep affinity for footwear design and technology in the technical performance category, with strong knowledge of performance materials, construction methods, and industry processes and trends.
- Demonstrated success in driving innovation in performance materials, with experience managing multiple seasons of product development.
- Strong attention to detail, with the ability to organize and deliver well-structured presentations and long-term planning documents.
- Deep understanding of footwear industry processes, with the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and mentoring colleagues.
- Strong collaborative skills and experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, with excellent verbal and written communication and negotiation abilities.
- Able to balance creativity with organization and discipline, thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Proven ability to navigate significant change, bringing an entrepreneurial mindset and solution-oriented approach to complex 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 Lead, you will support the team’s development and contribute to effective collaboration across the global footwear creation organization.
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.