On Lead - Footwear Costing Materials

On; Cowbridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading footwear company in the UK seeks a Footwear Material Manufacturing Expert to develop a material cost roadmap. The ideal candidate will have 7-10+ years of material manufacturing experience and strong technical knowledge of footwear-relevant materials. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to shape material cost strategies and influence design early in the development process.

Benefits

Team-oriented atmosphere

Support for personal self-care

Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years in material manufacturing or engineering, preferably footwear materials.
• Strong technical understanding of EVA, rubber, foams, textiles, plastics, and advanced materials.
• Ability to translate technical understanding into cost strategy.

Responsibilities

• Build and own the 3-5 year material cost roadmap across key categories.
• Provide seasonal material cost guardrails for development and design.
• Support as material manufacturing experts for On Running.

Skills

Material manufacturing expertise

Cost modeling

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Influence without authority

Job description

We are seeking a hands-on Footwear Material Manufacturing Expert with deep knowledge of footwear‑relevant materials, processes, and cost drivers. This role requires someone who truly understands how materials are made – from compounding to forming to finishing – and can translate that expertise into long‑range cost strategy for On Running Footwear. As a collaborative partner across Materials, Development, Product Strategy, Innovation and Production, you will shape our multi‑year material cost roadmap, define seasonal material cost direction, and guide strategic choices across categories. This role is more providing on material cost strategy and on selected supplier's discussion and negotiation.

Your Mission

Material Cost Strategy & Roadmap

• Build and own the 3-5 year material cost roadmap across key categories (foams, textiles, rubbers, plastics, sustainability materials, etc.).
• Translate manufacturing trends, input‑cost movement, and technology changes into cost strategic implications.
• Recommend proactive strategies including material substitution, platforming, sourcing shifts, and Volume leverage.

Seasonal Material Cost Direction

• Be able to provide seasonal material cost guardrails for Materials, Development, Design and Product Strategy from Costing perspective.
• Identify high‑impact materials each season and align cost expectations early.
• Influence material choices through early insights on cost, manufacturability, and future risk.

Material Manufacturing Expertise

• Support as On Running’s material manufacturing experts, able to deep‑dive into:
• EVA & Rubber compounding
• Foam and midsole technologies (traditional, supercritical, injection, etc.)
• Textile knitting/weaving/dyeing processes
• Plastics molding and recycling flows
• Adhesives, films, and structural components
• Evaluate new technologies for cost, scalability, manufacturability, and performance impact.

Cross‑Functional Partnership

• Partner with Materials, Development, Product Strategy, Innovation, to align cost strategy and seasonal direction from Cost Perspective.
• Support internally Costing team with frameworks and insights to guide their supplier price negotiation.
• Build trust‑based relationships with T2/T3 suppliers as needed.

Data, Insights & Governance

• Build cost models and material insights to influence cross‑functional decisions.
• Maintain governance on material cost logic and ensure alignment across all product creation teams.
• Communicate cost risks, opportunities, and long‑term outlook.

Your Story

• 7-10+ years in material manufacturing or material engineering – footwear materials strongly preferred.
• Strong technical understanding of EVA, rubber, foams, textiles, plastics, and advanced materials.
• Ability to translate technical material understanding into cost strategy and design guidance.
• Strong analytical skills and comfort with cost modeling.
• Excellent collaborator with a team‑oriented, open, positive mindset.
• Able to influence without direct authority and work across functions with clarity and humility.
• Experience in material costing or cost engineering is a strong plus.

Why This Role Matters

You will be the material cost expert guiding On Running’s cost competitiveness for the next coming years. You will influence design and development early. You will shape material Cost frameworks that support smarter decision‑making across Materials, Development, Design and Product Strategy.

Meet The Team

We, the Costing team, collaborates closely and cross‑functionally with teams from development, materials, finance, production, and supply chain, to identify opportunities in increasing company margins.

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.