Head of Merchandising - Performance Footwear Verticals, EMEA

On; Zürich; On-site; CHF 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

On is a premium Swiss sportswear brand redefining performance. We are seeking a Head of Product Merchandising – Performance Footwear Verticals (EMEA) to drive product strategy, range architecture and commercial performance across established and growing verticals in the region.

You will define consumer-focused segmentations, lead a high‑performing merchandising team, and partner with Global Product Creation, Design, and regional commercial leads to align category vision with market realities and

Qualifications

• 10+ years in product merchandising, buying, or line planning in footwear or sportswear.
• 5+ years in leadership roles overseeing teams.
• Proven track record of scaling regional product strategies.
• Strong understanding of GTM and cross-channel integration.

Responsibilities

• Define regional product strategy and range architecture for footwear.
• Lead agile, hands-on SKU management and lifecycle planning.
• Bridge Global Product Creation with regional commercial teams.
• Collaborate with Wholesale, DtC eCom, and Marketing.
• Recruit and develop a high-performing merchandising team.

Skills

Product Merchandising

Buying

Category Management

Line Planning

Strategic Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Data-Driven

Analytical Thinking

AI/Analytics awareness

Job description

In Short

Welcome to On! We’re that premium Swiss sportswear brand redefining performance and movement lifestyle.

As the Head of Product Merchandising – Performance Footwear Verticals (EMEA), you will be the strategic visionary driving the product strategy, range architecture, and commercial performance for our technical and athletic footwear portfolios across the region. You will bridge high‑performance innovation with market demand, balancing the continuous growth and refinement of our established core verticals (Performance Run, Train, and Tennis) with the strategic development and market entry of expanding verticals (Football and Golf).

By defining consumer‑first segmentations and leveraging market insights, you will empower your merchandising team to optimise line productivity and scale vertical growth. You are a key GTM leadership partner, bridging the gap between Global Product Creation/Innovation and Regional Commercial Execution across Wholesale, Digital, and Retail.

Your Mission

• Vertical Category Strategy & Line Architecture: Define and execute the regional vision, range architecture, and line plans across performance footwear—sustaining growth in established categories (Performance Run, Train, Tennis) while building and commercializing new high‑growth verticals (Football, Golf). Ensure optimal balance between technical innovation, price‑point tiering, volume drivers, and margin targets.
• Agile Leadership (Strategic to Hands‑On): Operating in a dynamic, high‑growth environment, seamlessly transition between long‑term strategic visioning and hands‑on execution—getting deep into the details of SKU management, range building, and operational delivery whenever needed.
• Cross‑Channel & GTM Integration: Serve as the strategic product lead across Wholesale, DtC‑Ecom, and DtC‑Retail. Align category segmentation, distribution strategies, and launch calendars with commercial channel leaders and marketing.
• Product Efficiency & Assortment Productivity: Own range productivity and lifecycle management (SKU efficiency, option counts, hero franchise growth, and hit rates). Dynamically adjust plans using real‑time sell‑through data, athlete/consumer insights, and competitive intelligence.
• Data & Tech‑Driven Merchandising: Drive the adoption of advanced analytics, consumer insight platforms, and AI‑driven forecasting tools to drive smarter line planning, predictive segmentation, and inventory responsiveness across all verticals.
• Global‑to‑Regional Voice: Represent the EMEA consumer, athlete communities, and market realities back to Global Product & Design teams, ensuring regional sport‑specific needs directly shape global creation briefs.
• Team Creation & Talent Development: Recruit, build, and scale a high‑performing team of Product Merchandisers from scratch. Provide clear direction and mentorship, instilling a culture of product passion, athletic authenticity, and analytical rigor.

Your Story

• Typically we’re looking for 10+ years of progressive experience in product merchandising, buying, category management, or line planning, with deep expertise in performance footwear, sportswear, or athletic gear, including 5+ years in leadership roles.
• Proven track record of building, leading, and developing high‑performing merchandising teams. You bring a clear leadership philosophy, with the ability to motivate and develop diverse talent, build strong team cultures, and lead effectively through growth, change, and evolving business needs.
• Deep passion for athletic performance, with technical footwear knowledge across core verticals (Run, Train, Tennis) and category expansion experience (Football, Golf, multi‑sport).
• Proven track record of building and executing category strategies—balancing mature, high‑volume footwear lines with the launch and incubation of new commercial categories.
• Expertise in range architecture, line adoption, SKU productivity, and financial targeting, combining strong product storytelling with analytical rigor at a regional scale.
• Strong analytical and digital acumen, with hands‑on experience leveraging market data, consumer analytics, and modern merchandising platforms to drive line productivity and lifecycle strategies.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive presence, capable of influencing Global Product Creation, Design, and Regional Commercial teams to drive consensus.
• An entrepreneurial mindset—equally comfortable steering long‑range multi‑vertical category strategies and diving into granular product, fit, and sell‑through details.
• You embody the On Spirits. Check out our career page for more on these.

Meet the Team

You will lead the Performance Footwear Product Merchandising team in EMEA, partnering closely with cross‑functional leadership across Wholesale Sales, DtC eCom, DtC Retail, and Marketing with a relentless focus on product strategy, range productivity, and commercial profitability. In particular, you will work hand‑in‑hand with Regional and Global Merchandising Planning, Demand Planning, DtC Buying, and Finance/Controlling teams to align category vision with operational execution. As your role bridges regional market needs and global brand vision, you will also collaborate directly with Global Product Creation, Merchandising, Design, and Operations teams. You will recruit, build, and lead a dedicated team of Product Merchandisers specializing in driving both our core established footwear verticals and expanding new categories across the region.

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.