Join Our Team as Head of Footwear Materials
At Swiss Engineering, we focus not on excess but on intention. We are excited to announce an opportunity for a highly skilled and experienced professional to lead the creation of a future-ready footwear materials portfolio. This role is engineered for performance, durability, and responsibility, paving the way for innovation and long-term growth without compromise.
Your Mission
- Leadership and Strategy:
- Develop and execute the strategic vision for footwear materials, aligning it with the overall brand and sourcing strategy.
- Lead and inspire a team of materials specialists, fostering a culture of innovation and operational excellence.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design, development, quality, sustainability, and sourcing, to ensure effective integration of materials in footwear products.
- Material Development and Innovation:
- Stay at the forefront of material science and emerging technologies to identify and develop innovative materials that meet performance and sustainability requirements.
- Conduct research and collaborate with external partners to identify new material opportunities and drive advancements.
- Build, maintain, and refresh the global footwear materials toolbox in partnership with key functional teams.
- Oversee all material developments from concept to commercialization, ensuring timelines, quality standards, and cost targets are met.
- Supplier Management and Collaboration:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with material suppliers to ensure a robust and reliable supply chain.
- Collaborate with suppliers to drive innovation, quality, and sustainability goals.
- Evaluate supplier performance regularly and propose actions for improvement.
- Quality Assurance and Testing:
- Establish rigorous material testing and quality control protocols to ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Work with quality assurance teams to address and resolve material-related issues.
- Stay informed about industry regulations related to footwear materials to guide the brand's sustainability efforts.
- Sustainability and Circular Economy:
- Drive sustainability initiatives by identifying opportunities for eco-friendly materials and processes.
- Collaborate with sustainability teams to set goals, track progress, and report on sustainability performance.
- Engage with stakeholders and industry groups to contribute to sustainability efforts.
Your Story
- Proven experience (10+ years) in footwear material development within the sports industry.
- Deep knowledge of sports and lifestyle footwear materials and manufacturing processes.
- Experience in creating bespoke, premium material solutions with attention to detail.
- Demonstrated experience leading strategic change in complex organizations.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and inspire cross-functional teams.
- Hands-on by nature, adaptable, and willing to travel as required.
- Passion for innovation and sustainability in footwear materials.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills, capable of building strong relationships.
- Strong project-management capabilities with a track record of on-time delivery.
- A genuine passion for sports and insights into market trends and consumer needs.
Meet the Team
The Footwear Materials team is the foundation of every On product, exploring and engineering the materials that enable performance footwear for runners, hikers, and everyday athletes. Our work blends curiosity with discipline, ensuring that only the most proven and premium solutions make it to market.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.