Job Opportunity: Head of Footwear Materials
Swiss Engineering is not merely about excess; it embodies a purposeful intent. We are at the forefront of creating a future-ready footwear materials portfolio, engineered for performance, durability, and responsibility. This initiative supports innovation and long-term growth without compromise.
We are searching for a highly skilled and experienced professional to join our brand as the Head of Footwear Materials. In this pivotal role, you will lead the footwear materials team, playing a crucial role in shaping the future of our footwear by driving performance, innovation, quality, and sustainability across our entire product range. This position offers a unique opportunity to leverage deep expertise in materials science, implementation and manufacturing, market insight, scalable operations, and supply chain leadership to build exceptional material systems that strengthen the foundation of our brand.
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, operational excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure effective integration of materials in footwear products.
- Material Development and Innovation:
- Stay ahead of material science, emerging technologies, and market trends to develop innovative materials that meet performance, durability, and sustainability requirements.
- Conduct research and collaborate with external partners to drive material advancements.
- Build and maintain global footwear materials and embellishments toolboxes in partnership with key functional partners.
- 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.
- Partner closely with suppliers to drive innovation, performance, quality, and sustainability goals.
- Collaborate with suppliers to resolve material-related issues and ensure compliance with brand standards and regulations.
- Evaluate and take action on supplier performance and portfolio with the Head of Material Sourcing.
- Quality Assurance and Testing:
- Establish rigorous material testing and quality control protocols to ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Collaborate with quality assurance teams to address material-related issues and implement corrective actions.
- Stay informed about industry regulations related to footwear materials to guide sustainability efforts.
- Sustainability and Circular Economy:
- Drive sustainability initiatives by identifying opportunities for eco-friendly materials and processes.
- Collaborate with sustainability teams to track progress and report on sustainability performance.
- 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.
- Deep knowledge of sport and lifestyle footwear materials and manufacturing processes.
- Experience in creating bespoke, premium material solutions focused on performance engineering.
- Demonstrated capability to lead and deliver strategic change in fast-growing organizations.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and inspire cross-functional teams.
- Extensive experience in developing expertise within materials and footwear manufacturing environments.
- Adaptable with the ability to navigate complex and rapidly changing environments.
- Hands-on, with a willingness to travel as needed, including short-notice trips.
- A collaborative leader who fosters teamwork and inclusivity.
- Experience driving sustainability and circular economy initiatives in footwear materials.
- A passion for innovation, capable of scaling new materials and processes to enhance performance.
- Deep understanding of material testing standards, quality control processes, and regulatory requirements.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to maintain strong relationships with suppliers and stakeholders.
- Strong project management capability with a proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.
- A genuine passion for sport, with a keen eye for market trends and consumer needs.
Join Our Team
The Footwear Materials team is the foundation of every product we create at On. We explore, engineer, and validate material types that empower performance footwear, whether for runners, hikers, or everyday athletes. Our work is driven by curiosity and discipline—researching, developing, and rigorously testing ideas until only the most proven and premium solutions reach the market.
Apply online using the form below.
Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.