About the Job
Join Our Dynamic Sportswear Brand and Shape the Future of Performance Footwear
Are you looking to be part of a team that's redefining footwear materials in an industry ripe for innovation? We’re seeking a passionate Materials Leader to lead an Inline Materials Team.
As our Materials Lead for PAD (Lifestyle) Footwear, you're turning footwear dreams into reality. You'll push the boundaries of materials to new heights, setting and accomplishing short-to-medium-term goals while aligning your work with our long-term vision. You'll be at the forefront, executing our global materials strategy across various verticals, including Performance All Day, Special Projects, and Collaborations. In this pivotal role, you'll spearhead groundbreaking developments and lead a team of Specialists in building the future of footwear materials. Collaboration with the Head of Materials and synergy with Design, Development, and Product Management teams will be essential.
Your Mission
- Material Mastery: Source phenomenal materials that inspire product creation, ensuring alignment with our timelines, sourcing policies, and sustainability goals. Focus on performance while elevating our products through technology and innovation.
- Team Leadership and Collaboration: Guide and nurture the Footwear Material Specialists through collaboration, trust, and mentorship, fostering growth and excellence while building our future talent pipeline.
- Sustainability and Performance Goals: Align material-specific targets with our sustainability roadmap, identifying opportunities to enhance material performance, sustainability, and efficiency across all product categories.
- Data Analytics and Process Optimization: Leverage data analytics to enhance material selection and supply chain processes. Continuously evaluate and optimize workflows to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance material quality and sustainability.
- Innovation and Research: Stay ahead by researching business trends, attending trade shows, and scouting new technologies, seamlessly integrating these ideas into product innovations.
- Material Library Management: Develop and enhance our material library and tools while ensuring strategic partnerships with key suppliers. Focus on agility in handling short lead times and a forward-thinking approach to digital material management.
- Quality Assurance and Improvement: Ensure all materials pass our stringent QA tests. Leverage your deep understanding of yarns, material structures, and polymers to implement material improvements and refine our testing protocol.
- Relationship Building: Cultivate strong, communicative relationships with material suppliers and external vendors. Collaborate with various teams, including Design, Product Development, Innovation, and Sustainability, to align material goals with overall product objectives.
Your Story
- Educational Foundations: A Bachelor’s Degree (minimum) in Footwear Textile Sciences, Textile Engineering/Technology, or a related field from a globally recognized university.
- Professional/Industry Experience: At least 7 years of global experience in Performance Footwear material development, including essential Asia supplier/factory involvement.
- Team Leadership: A proven track record of at least 3 years in leading and mentoring teams.
- Driving Innovation: Demonstrated ability to lead innovation through performance materials, with strategic thinking and execution capabilities. Comprehensive understanding of industry capabilities and best practices, with cross-cultural collaboration skills.
- Global Perspective: Extensive global travel experience to T1s, material suppliers, and external partners for sourcing and development.
- Project Management Excellence: Strong background in managing projects from creative inception to production, showcasing your ability to turn visions into reality.
- Design and Technology Affinity: Deep appreciation and understanding of footwear design and technology within the technical performance category, with an eye for aesthetics and trend awareness.
- Detail Orientation and Presentation Skills: Exceptional attention to detail and talent for building, organizing, and presenting effective strategies and presentations.
- Communication and Collaboration: Superior communication skills in both verbal and written English, enhancing your collaborative efforts with diverse stakeholders.
- Creativity and Discipline Balance: The ability to blend creativity with organization and discipline, thriving in a fast-paced environment.
- Adaptability and Entrepreneurial Spirit: Skillful navigation of change and an entrepreneurial mindset when facing unexpected challenges.
What We Offer
On is a place centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to provide individuals with the tools to develop holistically—enabling them to stay active, learn, explore, and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.
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 creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.