Join Our Team as Head of Footwear Materials
Swiss Engineering is not about excess; it's about intent. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced professional to lead the creation of a future-ready footwear materials portfolio that is engineered for performance, durability, and responsibility. This role is designed to support innovation and long-term growth without compromise.
As the Head of Footwear Materials, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our footwear by driving performance, innovation, quality, and sustainability across our entire product range. This is a unique opportunity to apply your expertise in materials science, implementation and manufacturing, market insight, scalable operations, and supply chain leadership to build exceptional material systems, thereby strengthening the foundation of our brand.
Your Mission
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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, operational excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design, strategy, development, quality, sustainability, and sourcing, to ensure effective integration of materials in footwear products.
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Material Development and Innovation:
- Stay at the forefront of material science, emerging technologies, and market trends to identify and develop innovative materials that meet performance, durability, and sustainability requirements.
- Conduct research and collaborate with external partners to identify new material opportunities and drive material advancements.
- Build, maintain, and refresh the global footwear materials and embellishments toolboxes in partnership with key functional partners.
- Lead complete oversight of all material developments from concept to commercialization, ensuring adherence to timelines, quality standards, and cost targets.
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Supplier Management and Collaboration:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with material suppliers to ensure a robust and reliable supply chain from development through production.
- Partner closely with suppliers to drive innovation, performance, quality, and sustainability goals.
- Collaborate with suppliers to drive continuous improvement, resolve material-related issues, and ensure compliance with brand standards and regulations.
- Evaluate and take action on supplier performance and portfolio management.
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Quality Assurance and Testing:
- Establish and enforce rigorous material testing and quality control protocols to ensure compliance with industry standards and brand requirements.
- Work closely with quality assurance teams to address material-related issues and implement corrective actions.
- Stay informed about industry regulations and standards related to footwear materials, proactively guiding the brand's sustainability efforts.
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Sustainability and Circular Economy:
- Drive sustainability initiatives by identifying opportunities for eco-friendly materials, waste reduction, and circular economy practices.
- Collaborate with sustainability teams to set goals, track progress, and report on the brand's sustainability performance related to footwear materials.
- Engage with stakeholders and industry groups to contribute to industry-wide sustainability efforts.
Your Story
- Proven experience (10+ years) in footwear material development, sourcing, and supply chain management within the sports industry.
- Knowledge of sport and lifestyle footwear materials and manufacturing processes.
- Experience shaping bespoke, premium material solutions that combine performance engineering with high-end craftsmanship.
- Demonstrated experience leading and delivering strategic change within complex and fast-growing organizations.
- Strong leadership capability to inspire and influence cross-functional teams.
- Hands-on nature with a willingness to travel as required.
- A collaborative leader who fosters an inclusive environment.
- Proven experience driving sustainability initiatives in footwear materials.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills to build strong relationships with suppliers and stakeholders.
- Strong project management capability with a track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.
- A genuine passion for sport, along with insight into market trends and consumer needs.
Meet the Team
The Footwear Materials team is at the foundation of every product we create. We explore, engineer, and validate all material types that enable performance in footwear—whether for runners, hikers, or everyday athletes. Our work blends curiosity with discipline: we research, develop, and rigorously test ideas until 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.