Lead - Footwear Material Designer

Job-Room; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 140.000 - 210.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

On is seeking a Lead Material Designer to shape the material strategy for footwear and performance products, balancing performance, aesthetics and sustainability. You will lead and inspire a global team, translating cultural insights into material strategies that define On’s future.

The role requires 8–10+ years in footwear or performance design with deep Material Design expertise, plus strong construction knowledge and cross-functional influence.

Qualifikationen

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Product Design, or a related field.
• 8–10+ years of experience in footwear or performance product design with deep Material Design expertise.
• Proven track record leading material direction and delivering innovative products.
• Strong expertise in material construction, manufacturing processes, and performance requirements.
• Able to lead teams and influence stakeholders across functions.
• Strategic thinker linking creative vision to business impact.
• Proficient in design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, PLM); 3D capabilities a plus.

Aufgaben

• Define and drive long-term material design vision across categories.
• Own seasonal material briefs aligning with commercial, sustainability, and margin targets.
• Establish differentiated material narratives to elevate product storytelling.
• Lead exploration and integration of new materials, technologies, and finishes for performance and sustainability.
• Guide development of engineered materials ensuring design intent is realized at scale.
• Oversee material mapping and library strategy across product lines.
• Act as a key partner across Footwear Design, Color, Development, and Product Strategy teams.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Material Designers, fostering growth and high performance.

Kenntnisse

Material design

Team leadership

Cross-functional influence

Brand storytelling

Ausbildung

Bachelor's degree in Textile Design, Product Design, or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

PLM

3D capabilities

Jobbeschreibung

In short At On, our Material Design team is central to defining the intersection of performance, aesthetics, and sustainability. We are looking for a Lead - Material Designer to join us here at On. In this role you will be responsible for setting the material design vision, driving innovation, and ensuring excellence across product categories. Materials are a key expression of our brand—shaping how products perform, feel, and connect emotionally with consumers. As a Lead Material Designer, you combine deep technical expertise with a strong creative point of view to guide the development of material strategies and narratives at a global level. You lead and inspire teams, influence product direction, and translate cultural, technological, and sustainability insights into forward-thinking material solutions that define On’s future.

Your Mission

• Define and drive the long-term material design vision across categories, aligning with brand, product strategy, and business goals
• Own and lead seasonal material briefs, ensuring clarity, innovation, and alignment with commercial, sustainability, and margin targets
• Establish strong, differentiated material narratives that elevate product storytelling and reinforce brand identity
• Lead the exploration and integration of new materials, technologies, and finishes, pushing boundaries in performance and sustainability
• Guide and challenge the development of engineered materials and constructions, ensuring design intent is realized at the highest level
• Ensure material proposals are both visionary and executable, grounded in manufacturing expertise and scalability
• Oversee material mapping and library strategy to drive consistency, efficiency, and scalability across product lines
• Act as a key partner and decision-maker across Footwear Design, Color, Development, and Product Strategy teams
• Lead the integration of color and material strategies from concept through execution
• Present and communicate material strategies and concepts at a senior level, driving alignment and key decisions
• Lead, mentor, and develop Material Designers, fostering growth, creativity, and high performance within the team
• Champion a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team and across functions
• Translate macro trends, cultural movements, and advancements in materials into actionable design direction
• Maintain strong awareness of industry developments, suppliers, and emerging technologies to keep On at the forefront
• Oversee and elevate the team’s approach to inspiration, ensuring a forward-looking and relevant creative pipeline

Your story

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Product Design, or a related field
• 8–10+ years of experience in footwear or performance product design, with deep expertise in Material Design
• Proven track record of leading material direction and delivering innovative, commercially successful products
• Strong expertise in material construction, manufacturing processes, and performance requirements
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and influence cross-functional stakeholders at multiple levels
• Strategic mindset with the ability to connect creative vision to business impact
• Advanced proficiency in design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, PLM); 3D capabilities are a strong plus
• Deep commitment to sustainability, with experience driving responsible material strategies at scale
• Strong understanding of competitive landscape, consumer insights, and market dynamics
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional languages are a plus

About the Team

Our Color and Materials Team is a key driver of On’s global product expression and innovation. As a Lead, you play a critical role in shaping not only the output of the team but also its direction, culture, and impact. We bring together diverse expertise across color, materials, and design to create meaningful, high-performance product experiences. Through a highly collaborative and forward-thinking approach, we push boundaries, challenge conventions, and define the future of our brand.