Senior Specialist - Footwear Lab

On; Cowbridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

On is seeking a Senior Footwear Lab Specialist to lead innovations in performance footwear testing. You will partner with global factories to enhance product quality and sustainability, while training lab teams and advising on testing protocols. This role requires expertise in footwear technology and a passion for leading quality improvement efforts.

Benefits

Supportive, team-oriented culture

Access to personal self-care programs

Opportunities for holistic development

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hands-on experience in footwear testing.
• Familiar with international testing standards (ISO, ASTM, SATRA).
• Skilled in analyzing test reports.

Responsibilities

• Implement and optimize new test methods.
• Train and elevate lab teams across T1 partners.
• Own lab validation across all stages from development to production.

Skills

Footwear testing

Quality assurance

Data analysis

Chemistry knowledge

Education

Degree in Chemistry or Materials Science

Job description

This is your opportunity to lead the charge in redefining what premium quality means in performance footwear.As Senior Footwear Lab Specialist at On, you won’t just “run tests” - you’ll drive testing innovation, forge deep factory capability, and act as a cross-functional multiplier across Development, QA, Commercialisation, and Production.Based in Ho Chi Minh City, you will anchor our lab strategy at the source - partnering with T1 factories to ensure our products exceed expectations not only in performance and durability, but in precision, speed, and sustainability.You’ll be the critical link between On’s Central Lab in Vietnam and Zurich and our manufacturing partners - elevating every process, every test, and every pair.

Your Mission

- Champion Future-Ready Testing:Implement, optimise, and scale new test methods that keep pace with On’s product complexity and material innovation. Push predictive, AI-enabled, and continuous improvement approaches to testing.- Be the Factory Lab Force Multiplier:Train, coach, and elevate lab teams across T1 partners. Build lab capabilities that support On’s fast-scaling product roadmap without compromising precision.-Embed Quality Earlier:Own lab validation across all stages - from early development through to production readiness. Work together with Development and QA to interpret test reports, resolve non-conformance, and unlock root cause insights.- Drive Strategic Testing Innovation:Collaborate with the Vietnam and Zurich Central Lab to recommend next-gen test equipment, technologies, and performance benchmarks - especially for new materials, constructions, and sustainability attributes.- Accelerate RSL Excellence:Roll out Restricted Substance List (RSL) implementation and compliance across all T1s, working with nominated labs and internal sustainability leads.- Standardise for Speed & Consistency:Map out testing flow, align factory standards with On’s global benchmarks, and integrate into centralised reporting and lab management systems.- Consult with Confidence:Act as the Development and QA team’s advisor on test results, risk mitigation, and corrective actions, ensuring development production decisions are always grounded in data.

Your Story

- A lab specialist with 6+ years of hands-on experience in footwear testing- A background in chemistry, footwear technology, polymers, materials or any other relevant knowledge- Deeply familiar with international testing standards (ISO, ASTM, SATRA) and custom brand-specific test protocols- Passionate about elevating lab culture - training others, building systems, and raising the bar- Comfortable analysing test reports, identifying trends, and turning data into action- Skilled in working across departments and cultures - able to flex between Vietnam/Zurich stakeholders and T1 lab technicians- Curious, tech-savvy, and always on the lookout for the next big improvement

Meet The Team

We’re responsible for creating innovative products for On. We must try and meet the needs and demands of athletes.

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.