On Senior Specialist - Operational Excellence Strategy & Transformation

On; Schweiz; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

On is seeking a Senior Specialist to evolve how products are developed and brought to market. You will lead strategic initiatives and cross‑functional projects that support long‑term priorities across Footwear, Apparel and Accessories, partnering with teams to improve processes, capabilities and ways of working.

The role reports to the Head of Strategy & Transformation - Operational Excellence and requires 5+ years in product strategy or business transformation, a Master’s degree, and fluency in

Qualifications

• 5+ years in product strategy, operational excellence, business transformation, consulting or related fields.
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Innovation Management, or a related field.
• Footwear and/or apparel industry experience and/or strategy/consulting experience is essential.
• Experience contributing to cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholders and business functions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to structure complex topics and derive actionable insights.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with ability to build productive relationships across teams.
• Comfortable working across topics including process improvement, operating models, product creation and organizational effectiveness.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Passion for understanding and supporting On's vision and long-term objectives.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written.

Responsibilities

• Apply a strategic and analytical lens to problem-solving: structure complex challenges, break down problems, conduct analyses and synthesize findings to support objectives.
• Drive strategic initiatives and project work streams: own workstreams within cross-functional projects evolving processes, capabilities and ways of working.
• Support cross-functional collaboration: partner with stakeholders across innovation, product strategy, design, development, sourcing, planning and commercial.
• Contribute to key LRP priorities: support delivery of strategic initiatives critical to On's Long Range Plan across footwear, apparel and accessories.
• Develop insights and recommendations: translate data and stakeholder inputs into clear insights and actionable recommendations.
• Drive project governance and execution: establish transparency through planning, milestone tracking, risk management and stakeholder communication.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Execution

Problem solving

English fluency

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Innovation Management, or a related field

Job description

You will play an important role in helping On evolve how products are developed and brought to market. In this role, you will contribute to strategic initiatives and cross‑functional projects that support On's long‑term business priorities. Working closely with teams across the product organization, you will help improve processes, capabilities and ways of working that enable greater speed, effectiveness and quality across Footwear, Apparel and Accessories. The Senior Specialist role will report to the Head of Strategy & Transformation - Operational Excellence.

Your Mission

• Apply a strategic and analytical lens to problem‑solving: Support the structuring of complex and often ambiguous business challenges. Break down problems into key questions, conduct analyses, synthesize findings and help identify practical recommendations that support On's strategic objectives.
• Drive strategic initiatives and project work streams: Own and drive specific workstreams within cross‑functional projects that support the evolution of the product organization’s processes, capabilities, technologies and ways of working. Help ensure projects are delivered with a high level of quality, rigor and stakeholder alignment.
• Support cross‑functional collaboration: Partner closely with stakeholders across innovation, product strategy, design, product development, sourcing, planning, commercial and other functions. Help facilitate discussions, align perspectives and contribute to solutions that improve organizational effectiveness.
• Contribute to key LRP priorities: Support the delivery of strategic initiatives that are critical to On's Long Range Plan (LRP), working across Footwear, Apparel and Accessories to help drive scalable and sustainable business impact.
• Develop insights and recommendations: Translate data, analyses and stakeholder inputs into clear insights and recommendations. Create materials and narratives that support decision‑making and help move initiatives forward.
• Drive project governance and execution: Help establish transparency across projects through structured planning, milestone tracking, risk management and stakeholder communication, ensuring initiatives remain on track and aligned with business objectives.

Your Story

• 5+ years of experience in product strategy, operational excellence, business transformation, consulting or related fields.
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Innovation Management, or a related field.
• Footwear and/or apparel industry experience and/or experience in a strategy or consulting environment is a must.
• Experience contributing to cross‑functional projects involving multiple stakeholders and business functions.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to structure complex topics and derive actionable insights.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build productive working relationships across teams.
• Comfortable working across a variety of topics, including process improvement, operating models, product creation and organizational effectiveness.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with attention to detail and follow‑through.
• Passion for understanding and supporting On's vision and long‑term business objectives.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written.

Meet The Team

The Operational Excellence team is part of the product organization: an entrepreneurial, dynamic and talented group focused on evolving the product organization (innovation, product strategy, design, development, sourcing) to new levels of effectiveness and performance.

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.