In Short
At On, color is more than just an aesthetic choice—it serves as a strategic tool that intertwines emotion, performance, brand storytelling, and color trends. As the Head of Color Design for Footwear, you will take ownership of defining the global color vision for On footwear, shaping the brand's visual language across both Lifestyle and Performance categories. Positioned at the crossroads of creativity, science, and innovation, you will lead the color strategy from a long-range vision through to seasonal execution. You will inspire and develop multiple sub-teams of color designers while collaborating closely with Product Design, Apparel Color Design, Development, Merchandising, and Product Strategy to ensure a cohesive, consumer-driven, and forward-looking color expression. This leadership role carries significant influence over brand identity, product success, and sustainability innovation.
Your Mission
Color Vision & Strategy
- Define and own the long-term and seasonal color strategy for Footwear, ensuring alignment with On’s brand DNA, consumer insights, and commercial objectives.
- Translate brand and product strategy into compelling color directions that balance innovation, consistency, and scalability.
- Act as the key decision-maker for footwear color direction across categories and franchises.
- Co-define seasonal color palettes together with the Head of Apparel/ACC Color.
Consumer & Brand Storytelling
- Leverage color as a storytelling and emotional driver, strengthening brand recognition and consumer connection.
- Develop clear color narratives that support performance, lifestyle relevance, and merchandising clarity.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner closely with Apparel Color Design to ensure a cohesive, cross-category color expression.
- Collaborate with Product Strategy, Footwear Design, Development, Merchandising, and Marketing to align color decisions with product intent, go-to-market strategies, and retail needs.
- Influence stakeholders at all levels through a strong point of view, data-backed insights, and compelling presentations.
Trend Forecasting & Insight
- Lead cultural, artistic, and technological trend research, translating macro insights into actionable, ownable color palettes.
- Balance trend relevance with longevity and brand consistency.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of color designers, fostering a culture of creativity, curiosity, inclusion, and accountability.
- Set clear direction, priorities, and standards while empowering designers to push boundaries.
Process, Tools & Excellence
- Own and evolve the footwear color design process from concept through production.
- Curate and maintain best-in-class digital and physical color libraries, ensuring clear briefs, efficient handovers, and strong collaboration with Zurich- and Vietnam-based teams.
Sustainability & Innovation
- Champion sustainable color solutions by challenging conventional dyeing and finishing processes.
- Partner with Development and Supply Chain to improve environmental impact, durability, and scalability of color applications.
Your Story
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Color Science, Material Design, Industrial Design, or a related discipline.
- Approximately 10+ years of experience in color design within footwear or apparel, including significant leadership experience.
- Proven ability to define and execute color strategy at a brand or category level.
- Strong understanding of footwear manufacturing processes and technical constraints related to color application.
- Demonstrated experience working with merchandising strategies, consumer insights, and data-driven assortment planning.
- Advanced knowledge of color systems (Coloro, Pantone), Adobe Creative Suite, and PLM tools; familiarity with data tools (e.g., Looker) is a plus.
- Passion for sustainability, innovation, and future-focused design solutions.
- Confident, collaborative leader with the ability to influence across disciplines and cultures.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience presenting to senior leadership.
- Fluent in English (spoken and written); additional languages are a plus.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.