In Short
As the Senior Lead Materials Development for Lifestyle, Collaborations, and Special Projects in Apparel, you will be a pivotal force in driving material excellence for our diverse lifestyle product ranges. Your expertise will significantly influence apparel design, aesthetics, and product quality. You will inspire cross-functional teams with a strategic vision, championing ambitious and sustainable solutions that align with ON Running's brand identity.
This role demands 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 the Apparel Design, Product Management, and Development teams.
Your Mission
- Guide, Curate, and Develop a Premium Material Palette: Ensure that material selection enhances garment fit, trims, and finishes, aligning with our design identity as the world’s most premium sports brand and maintaining premium quality standards. Continuously provide a pipeline of material concepts for design.
- Manage Concept Stage through Commercialization Handoff Material Development: Oversee material development from initial design brief to product commercialization handoff, adhering to the calendar and ensuring clear communication with suppliers.
- Drive Sustainability & Implement Innovation: Collaborate with the Head of Apparel Materials, along with our innovation and sustainability teams, to integrate new preferred materials and commercially ready innovations into inline products. Identify and onboard new material partners while liaising with global sourcing to build a robust supplier network.
- Manage Upfront Material Pricing and Lead Time: Align with project goals and business objectives while coordinating with suppliers.
- Act as a Key Partner: Collaborate with 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, focusing strongly on lifestyle and fashion products.
- Technical Expertise: You possess extensive knowledge of materials and trims, including natural and synthetic fiber types, wovens, knits, 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 regarding ON Running’s market positioning.
- Communication: With excellent verbal and written communication skills, you collaborate effectively with internal and external partners globally and present complex information succinctly. You can convey dynamic visual material stories that resonate with Design and Product Marketing.
- Organizational Skills: You are meticulous and skilled in project management, capable of balancing creative direction with organization in a fast-paced environment.
- Global Exposure: Experience in global material sourcing and development, including travel to key manufacturing hubs, trade fairs, and global sourcing offices, is essential.
Meet the Team
Our team is responsible for creating innovative products for On. We play a crucial role in meeting the needs and demands of our runners and new customers. Our approach involves researching, designing, developing, and testing numerous ideas scientifically and aesthetically. Only products that meet our rigorous testing standards make it to market.
What We Offer
On is a place centered around growth and progress, providing an environment that equips individuals with the tools to develop holistically—staying active, learning, exploring, and innovating. Our unique approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, leading each person by purpose.
Apply
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a fair and inclusive work environment, ensuring that all recruitment, advancement, and retention decisions are free from discrimination.