In Brief
As the Senior Lead Materials Development for Performance in Apparel, you will be a key driver of material excellence for our diverse apparel in lifestyle product ranges. Your expertise will directly influence apparel design, aesthetics, and product quality. You will inspire cross-functional teams with a strategic vision, championing ambitious, sustainable solutions aligned with ON Running’s brand identity.
This role requires a proactive and entrepreneurial developer who thrives on challenges and is passionate about material aesthetics, premium quality, and authentic sustainability. You will report to the Head of Apparel Material and collaborate closely with Apparel Design, Product Management, and Development Leads.
Your Mission
- Guide and Curate a Premium Material Palette: Ensure that the development of material selection enhances the garment's fit, trims, and finishes, aligning with our design and performance identity as the world’s most premium sports brand and its premium quality standards. Continuously feed a pipeline of material concepts for design.
- Manage Concept Stage through Commercialization Handoff: Oversee material development from the initial design brief to product commercialization handoff, maintaining a clear communication channel with suppliers.
- Drive Sustainability & Implement Innovation: Collaborate with the Head of Apparel Materials and our innovation and sustainability teams to integrate new preferred materials and commercially ready innovations into inline products. Identify and onboard new material partners and work with global sourcing to build a robust and relevant supplier network.
- Financial Acumen: Manage upfront material prices and lead times with suppliers, ensuring alignment with project goals and business objectives.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a key partner to all product creation stakeholders, including Design, Product Management, Development, Testing, and Sales.
Your Story
- Experience: You have 10+ years of global experience in apparel, material development, or a related industry, with a strong focus on performance apparel products. You can identify materials that will enhance athlete experiences and promote ON’s mission: “Feel nothing to feel everything.”
- Technical Expertise: You possess extensive knowledge of materials and trims, including natural and synthetic fiber types, wovens, knits, performance finishes, insulation, and print techniques. You have developed directional material franchises with global suppliers.
- Strategic Vision: You have a keen eye for product aesthetics, a deep awareness of industry trends, and the ability to think and act strategically concerning ON Running's market positioning.
- Communication: You have excellent verbal and written communication skills to collaborate with internal and external partners globally and present complex information effectively. You can present dynamic visual material stories that resonate with Design and Product Marketing.
- Organizational Skills: You are highly attentive to detail and skilled in project management, able to balance creative direction with organization in a fast-paced environment.
- Global Exposure: Experience with global material sourcing and development, including travel to key manufacturing hubs, trade fairs, and global sourcing offices, is essential.
Meet the Team
We are responsible for creating innovative products for ON. Our team has a vital responsibility to meet the needs and demands of our runners and new customers. We rigorously research, design, develop, and test numerous ideas—scientifically and aesthetically. Only products that pass our stringent testing standards will go to market.
What We Offer
On is a place centered around growth and progress. We provide an environment designed to equip individuals with the tools to develop holistically—staying active, learning, exploring, and innovating. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, ensuring that each person is led by purpose.
Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. Apply online using the form below.
On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.