Join Our Brand as Head of Footwear Materials
At Swiss Engineering, we believe in intention over excess. We are committed to creating a future-ready footwear materials portfolio that excels in performance, durability, and responsibility. Our focus on innovation and long-term growth fuels everything we do, and we are looking for a talented professional to lead this vision.
As the Head of Footwear Materials, you will play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of our footwear. Your expertise will drive performance, innovation, quality, and sustainability across our product range, providing a unique opportunity to elevate our brand through exceptional materials systems.
Your Mission:
- Leadership and Strategy:
- Develop and execute the strategic vision for footwear materials, in alignment with our overall brand strategy.
- Lead and inspire a team of materials specialists, nurturing a culture of innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams—design, strategy, development, quality, sustainability, and sourcing—to integrate materials effectively in our footwear products.
- Material Development and Innovation:
- Stay abreast of advancements in material science and emerging technologies to identify and create innovative materials that fulfill performance, durability, and sustainability needs.
- Conduct research and partner with external organizations to unearth new material opportunities and drive advancements.
- Oversee the global footwear materials and embellishments toolbox in collaboration with key functional partners.
- Manage all material developments from concept to commercialization, ensuring timelines, quality standards, and cost targets are met.
- Supplier Management and Collaboration:
- Cultivate strong relationships with material suppliers and ensure a robust supply chain from development through production.
- Work closely with suppliers to achieve innovation, performance, quality, and sustainability goals.
- Collaborate with suppliers to resolve material-related issues and ensure compliance with brand standards and regulations.
- Regularly evaluate supplier performance and portfolio in coordination with the Head of Material Sourcing.
- Quality Assurance and Testing:
- Establish and enforce rigorous material testing and quality control protocols to meet industry standards and brand requirements.
- Partner with quality assurance teams to resolve any material-related issues and implement corrective actions.
- Stay informed on industry regulations related to footwear materials to ensure compliance and guide our sustainability endeavors.
- Sustainability and Circular Economy:
- Lead sustainability initiatives by pinpointing opportunities for eco-friendly materials, waste reduction, and circular economy practices.
- Collaborate with sustainability teams to set goals, track progress, and report on our environmental performance in footwear materials.
- Engage with stakeholders and industry groups to contribute to broader sustainability efforts.
Your Story:
- Proven experience (10+ years) in footwear material development, sourcing, and supply chain management within the sports industry.
- In-depth knowledge of sports and lifestyle footwear materials and manufacturing processes.
- Expertise in developing bespoke, premium material solutions that marry performance engineering with meticulous craftsmanship.
- Experience in leading strategic change in complex, fast-growing organizations.
- A self-starter with a strong sense of ownership and a commitment to shared goals.
- Exceptional leadership skills, capable of influencing and inspiring cross-functional teams.
- Extensive experience within materials and footwear manufacturing environments.
- Adaptable and able to thrive in dynamic environments.
- Willing to travel as required, including short-notice trips.
- A collaborative leader who fosters teamwork and creates an inclusive environment.
- Track record in promoting sustainability and circular-economy initiatives in footwear materials.
- Passionate about innovation, with a keen ability to identify and implement new materials, technologies, and processes.
- Strong understanding of material testing standards, quality-control processes, and regulatory requirements.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills, adept at building relationships with suppliers, stakeholders, and senior management.
- Proven project-management capability, delivering material development projects on time and within budget.
- A genuine passion for sports, accompanied by a keen eye for market trends and consumer needs.
Meet the Team:
The Footwear Materials team is the foundation of every On product. We explore, engineer, and validate all material types that enable performance footwear—whether for runners, hikers, or everyday athletes. Our approach combines curiosity with discipline: researching, developing, and rigorously testing ideas until only the most proven and premium solutions are brought to market.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.