Senior Specialist – Footwear Testing (Fit & Wear)

On; Zürich; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

On in Zurich is seeking a Senior Specialist – Footwear Testing (Fit & Wear) to lead validation and drive fit excellence across footwear categories. Based at our Zurich HQ, you will shape how fit and comfort are defined, and coach testing teams in Vietnam to accelerate go-to-market calendars.

You will translate consumer feedback into actionable technical guidance for Design, Development and Materials to elevate on-foot comfort and performance across products.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in human-centered product testing or related field.
• Familiarity with shoe construction and fit concepts is a plus.
• Proficient in MS Excel and PowerPoint for data visualization.
• Strong communication and ability to work with non-native English partners.

Responsibilities

• Innovate fit testing protocols and survey frameworks from our Zurich Lab.
• Coach and align regional testing teams to enable local validation.
• Plan and execute consumer wear trials and focus groups across segments.
• Analyze qualitative/quantitative data and present actionable insights.
• Expand tester networks and manage cross-functional calendars.
• Provide data-led recommendations to Design, Development and Materials.

Skills

Footwear testing

Data analysis

Survey design

Coaching

Cross-cultural collaboration

Fit methodology

Communication

Tools

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Database systems

Job description

In Short

Product Testing is the voice of the consumer at On. We ensure every product meets premium quality standards by combining hands‑on technical evaluation with authentic real‑world insights.

As a Senior Specialist – Footwear Testing (Fit & Wear), you will lead product validation and fit excellence across our different footwear categories. Based at our Zurich HQ, you will shape how fit and comfort are defined, innovate testing protocols for novel footwear concepts, and coach our expanding testing teams in Vietnam to enable local validation and faster go‑to‑market calendars.

In this role, you will act as a key partner to Product Development, Product Management, Design, and Materials, translating consumer feedback into actionable technical guidance to elevate on‑foot comfort.

Your Mission

• Innovate Fit & Testing Protocols: Own and continuously evolve shoe fitting methodologies, survey frameworks, and testing standards from our Zurich Lab. Reevaluate consumer interaction setups, refine survey questions to eliminate bias, and create repeatable testing protocols for novel or non-standard product concepts.
• Empower & Coach Vietnam Testing Teams: Act as the primary HQ partner for our regional testing teams in Vietnam. Provide continuous coaching, training, and standard operating procedure (SOP) calibration to enable high-quality local validation and streamline go‑to‑market timelines.
• Lead Consumer Insights & Fit Sessions: Plan, schedule, and execute qualitative consumer wear trials, fit sessions, and focus groups across lifestyle and youth consumer segments. Gather unbiased, qualitative step‑in comfort and fit feedback.
• Drive Data‑Led Decision Making: Analyze qualitative and quantitative testing datasets using advanced data tools (Excel, database systems). Create clear, visual reporting and corrective action recommendations for Design, Development, and Materials teams when testing standards are not met.
• Expand & Cultivate Tester Networks: Recruit, build, and maintain an active, diverse pool of lifestyle, kids, and young mover wear‑testers aligned with seasonal product creation calendars.
• Multi-Calendar & Cross-Functional Alignment: Manage test validation cycles across three simultaneous seasonal calendars, acting as a consultative fit expert across cross-functional creation teams.

Your Story

• 2+ years of experience in a field focused on the human experience with a product or service, including but not limited to: Footwear or Sportswear Product Testing / Development, Biomechanics, Kinesiology, or Human Factors, Footwear / Sportswear Retail Leadership or Technical Product Advisory
• Understanding of Footwear Creation: Familiarity with shoe construction, last shapes, upper pattern geometry, and volume balance is a strong plus.
• Data Handling & Analysis: Proficient in gathering, structuring, and visualizing qualitative and quantitative datasets using tools like MS Excel and PowerPoint.
• Survey Design & Unbiased Communication: Demonstrated ability to ask probing, unbiased questions and build consumer surveys that yield actionable product feedback.
• Coaching & Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Strong communication skills with a track record of coaching teams, explaining complex details clearly, and working effectively with non-native English‑speaking factory partners in Asia.
• Adaptability & Curiosity: Comfortable navigating ambiguous testing scenarios, making informed assumptions, and managing multiple seasonal calendars simultaneously.
• Languages: Fluent in English (written and spoken). Additional languages (German, Vietnamese, or Mandarin) are a plus.

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.