Head of - Apparel Materials Development (Performance)

On; Zürich; On-site; CHF 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

On seeks a Senior Materials Development Lead to guide the premium material palette for performance apparel, ensuring materials meet fit, finish, and identity standards. You will manage development from concept to commercialization, collaborate with design and global sourcing, and drive sustainability with the innovation teams.

You will lead material concepts, evaluate supplier partnerships, and align with the brand's mission to feel nothing to feel everything, while coordinating across product

Qualifications

• 10+ years of global experience in apparel material development or related industry.
• Extensive knowledge of materials, trims, fiber types, and performance finishes; experience with directional material franchises.
• Strategic vision with awareness of industry trends and brand positioning.
• Excellent verbal and written communication for global collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Guide, curate and develop a premium material palette that enhances fit, trims, and finishes while aligning with On's identity.
• Manage material development from initial design brief to commercialization handoff, ensuring calendar adherence and clear supplier communication.
• Drive sustainability and innovation by integrating new materials and working with global sourcing to build a robust supplier network.
• Handle upfront material pricing and lead times with suppliers to meet project goals.
• Partner with Design, Product Management, Development, Testing, and Sales across the product creation process.

Skills

Materials expertise

Supplier development

Project management

Global experience

Job description

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.

Meet 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.

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.