At a Glance:
This is a rare opportunity to lead and shape the future direction of technical development and fit innovation for one of the world’s most forward-thinking sportswear companies. As the Director of Global Fit & Technical Development, you will spearhead On’s fit strategy, pattern engineering, and technical development function, ensuring that every product delivers on our premium promise and aligns with the brand’s commitment to innovation, performance, and customer delight.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Apparel and Accessories Creation & Sourcing, this role is a key member of the Global Apparel leadership team. You will drive the strategic direction of our fit and garment engineering organization - setting global standards, pioneering new methodologies, and inspiring cross-functional excellence. Your leadership will influence not just how our products are made, but how they are experienced by athletes and customers around the world.
The Director of Global Fit & Technical Development will work closely with cross-functional partners in Design, Development, Materials, Sourcing, Merchandising, and Quality to ensure we deliver products to our customers and athletes that live up to our quality promise.
This role combines technical expertise in fit, garment construction, pattern engineering, and 3D prototyping, alongside the material and manufacturing processes to ensure the highest quality and performance of our Inline, Athlete, and Special Projects apparel collections.
Your Team:
We are focused, solutions-oriented, and able to take action upon imminent challenges. We establish and follow processes while continuously challenging the status quo and the industry standard.
As engineers, we steer pinnacle sportswear design ideas into functional reality. We convert innovative concepts and prototypes into commercialized products with stringent quality and engineering standards, bringing them into the hands of our discerning, global customer base.
Product creation is a mindset, and every team member is empowered to make decisions with the understanding that failure is part of the learning and growth process.
As an integrated function within the design and development organization, we are detail-minded problem solvers; guiding and executing apparel technical development within tight timelines and the highest possible product quality, both on the shelf and in use.
Your Mission:
- Define and lead On’s global fit and technical development strategy, translating business goals, customer insights, and product innovation into a scalable, premium experience across all apparel categories.
- Elevate technical development as a strategic function—ensuring consistency, excellence, and efficiency across regions, product lines, and supply chain partners.
- Partner with cross-functional product creation and sourcing teams to ensure alignment between our products and our quality expectations, garment wear testing standards, and cost engineering strategy from concept to manufacturing readiness stage.
- Lead the evolution of On’s fit standards, grading architecture, and pattern libraries.
- Establish and maintain technical fit standards to deliver the best and most consistent fit experience for our global customers while gaining efficiency from development through bulk production.
- Implement an efficient process of prototype evaluation and improvements between our global supplier base in conjunction with Zurich Product Development, Apparel Testing, and our Asia Sourcing Office (ASO) Development & Production teams.
- Manage and lead the Pattern Engineering, Product Development, and Design teams to expertly conduct fit sessions, pattern reviews, and provide technical expertise and solutions while being fully accountable for the Technical Development team.
- Incorporate Fit Blocks, monitor fit model measurements regularly, and maintain grading standards to ensure technical precision, brand integrity, and fit consistency on various global fit goals and standards.
- Serve as the brand's global voice for fit excellence, ensuring consistency across our vendor base to deliver against the brand's global fit strategy.
- Collaborate with Zurich Procurement & Quality and Vietnam Quality teams to monitor and evaluate apparel warranty claims, product risk assessment, and E-commerce & Retail product return feedback for continuous improvement.
- Ensure continuous support of customer feedback relating to product fit and quality is implemented into our product processes.
- Oversee department budget, model management, and on-time delivery for the business.
Team Building:
- Mentor, nurture, and inspire the Apparel Engineering team by building a diverse and technically skilled talent pipeline.
- Empower and train your team to excel in premium apparel craftsmanship, technical skill-building, and 3D prototyping while fostering an environment of continuous learning and spearheading industry innovation.
- Provide encouraging and effective leadership, education, and support to cross-functional partners in areas related to apparel engineering and technical development.
- Build strong and impactful business relationships with existing and new global suppliers to enhance functional product quality standards, technical readiness, and product innovation.
- Cultivate a proactive and entrepreneurial team culture alongside long-term succession planning for further growth.
Your Story:
- Bachelor's Degree (minimum) in Product Development, Technical Design, Design, or a related field from a globally recognized university.
- 15+ years of experience in apparel technical design or product development, garment manufacturing, etc., with a wide array of product categories.
- 15+ years of experience leading high-performing technical, product development, or apparel engineering teams, with a demonstrated capability in developing diverse talent.
- Expert-level knowledge in technical development and pattern making in relation to apparel manufacturing.
- Vast experience working with Design, Product Development, Materials, and Testing teams on new apparel concepts and functional garment problem-solving.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop technical talent and elevate the skills of internal and cross-functional teams.
- Proven ability to translate Design’s creative concepts into technically sound products while solving complex challenges with innovative thinking.
- Superior communication and presentation skills with a diplomatic and open mindset.
- Visionary thinker with the ability to execute innovative approaches to global fit that include technology.
- Highly attentive to detail and organization with the ability to create and present effective strategy documents to senior leadership.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.