Join Our Team as Head of Footwear Materials
Swiss Engineering is driven by intent, not excess. We are on a mission to create a future-ready portfolio of footwear materials that prioritize performance, durability, and responsibility. This role is crucial in supporting our commitment to innovation and sustainable long-term growth.
We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced professional to lead our footwear materials team. As the Head of Footwear Materials, you will be pivotal in shaping the future of our footwear product range, driving performance, innovation, quality, and sustainability. This position presents a unique opportunity to leverage your expertise in materials science, manufacturing, market insight, scalable operations, and supply chain leadership to develop exceptional materials systems while strengthening our brand's foundation.
Your Mission
- Leadership and Strategy:
- Develop and execute the strategic vision for footwear materials, aligning it with overall brand and sourcing strategies.
- Inspire and lead a team of materials specialists, fostering a culture of innovation and operational excellence.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including design, strategy, development, quality, sustainability, and sourcing—to integrate materials effectively into footwear products.
- Material Development and Innovation:
- Stay updated on material science, emerging technologies, and market trends to identify innovative materials.
- Conduct research and collaborate with external partners to explore new material opportunities and advancements.
- Maintain and refresh the global footwear materials and embellishments toolboxes 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 supply chain from development through production.
- Partner with suppliers to drive innovation, performance, quality, and sustainability goals.
- Collaborate with suppliers to resolve material-related issues and ensure compliance with brand standards.
- Evaluate and take action on supplier performance and portfolio in conjunction with the Head of Material Sourcing.
- Quality Assurance and Testing:
- Establish rigorous material testing and quality control protocols for compliance with industry standards.
- Work closely with quality assurance teams to address material-related issues and implement corrective actions.
- Stay informed about industry regulations and ensure compliance 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, sourcing, and supply chain management within the sports industry.
- Deep knowledge of sport and lifestyle footwear materials and manufacturing processes.
- Experience shaping bespoke, premium material solutions, combining performance engineering with craftsmanship.
- Demonstrated leadership and strategic change within complex and fast-growing organizations.
- Strong capability to build, take ownership of execution, and work autonomously while aligning with shared goals.
- A collaborative leader who fosters teamwork and creates an inclusive environment.
- Hands-on by nature, with a willingness to travel as needed.
- Extensive experience in developing expertise within materials and manufacturing environments.
- Passion for innovation and sustainability, with the ability to scale new materials, technologies, and processes.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills for strong relationships with suppliers and stakeholders.
- Strong project-management capabilities with a history of delivering projects on time and within budget.
- A genuine passion for sport, understanding market trends, consumer needs, and functional performance requirements.
Meet the Team
The Footwear Materials team is foundational to every product at On. We explore, engineer, and validate all material types that enable performance footwear, catering to runners, hikers, and everyday athletes. Our work combines curiosity with discipline, ensuring that only the most proven and premium solutions reach the market.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.