As the Sr Lead Accessories Material Developer, you are the technical architect and driving force of material excellence for On’s rapidly growing Accessories product range. In this high-skilled Individual Contributor role, you will wield deep technical expertise to influence and shape the product creation landscape, pioneer a material branding strategy, and engineer ambitious, innovative and sustainable solutions. You don’t just execute briefs; you anticipate future market shifts, inspire cross-functional stakeholders, and set the technical benchmark for what is possible in premium performance gear.

• Architect and drive the long-term material strategy and innovation pipeline for On Accessories, translating high-level design visions into high-performance, commercially viable realities.
• Proactively identify, engineer, and validate next-generation fabrics and trims. Lead advanced material concepts from ideation through complex technical validation to future-proof On’s product offering.
• Serve as the strategic technical lead with global suppliers, managing high-level technical communication, ensuring strict adherence to On's elite performance and sustainability standards, and optimising development timelines.
• Act as the core technical anchor between Design, Product Development, Quality, and Sourcing to ensure seamless alignment, uncompromised product integrity, and the realisation of ambitious sustainability targets.
• Own the integrity of advanced material data within the PLM system, ensuring technical specifications, cost structures, and compliance metrics support scalable commercialisation.
• Oversee the technical execution of the seasonal color strategy and lab dip processes. Champion the resolution of complex, critical color and material feasibility topics, including feasibility, escalations, and technical problem-solving, by coordinating between creative and technical stakeholders to find viable solutions.
• Serve as the category subject-matter expert, continuously analysing global industry trends, advanced textile technologies, and analogous market innovations to maintain On’s competitive edge.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Textile Sciences, Textile Engineering/Technology from a global university or commensurate industry experience.
• 10+ years of deep, global hands-on experience in the performance textile industry with Asia & Europe supplier/factory experience.
• Comprehensive, expert-level understanding of advanced manufacturing processes for materials and trim, polymer science, weaving/knitting technologies, and specialised trim construction.
• A rare blend of sharp product aesthetics with a perspective on how to think and act strategically with the ability to look at a swatch and see the 3-year commercial and sustainability trajectory.
• Superior communication and presentation skills (verbal and written in English), with a demonstrated ability to influence executive stakeholders and align diverse, cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, solve complex technical challenges autonomously, and maintain rigorous organisational discipline in a fast-paced, premium R&D environment.

We are the incubator for cutting-edge innovation within On Accessories. As a foundational pillar of this newly established, high-velocity R&D team, you will enjoy a high degree of autonomy and ownership. We merge science, design, and elite athleticism to solve real-world problems for runners globally. Here, your technical expertise won't just be utilised - it will shape the future of the brand.

Zürich

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to 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.

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.

• Step One

  It starts with you...

  You'll start by submitting your application to a specific role. We try to keep this step as simple as possible. We do get a lot of applications, but we review them all. If you're a good fit to the role, a recruiter will follow up with you directly. If you didn't receive a reply, or were unsuccessful this time around, we encourage you to look for other possible matches at On.

• Step Two

  Interview with a recruiter

  What ignites your spirit? This is where we’ll start getting to know all about you and what makes you tick – and it’s your first chance to get a feel for our culture. Chatting with a member of our talent team, you’ll learn more about On and how we work. We’ll learn about what motivates you and what you could bring to the team.

• Step Three

  Interview with a hiring manager

  Ready to dig into the details? This second interview will be held with your future manager and will focus on the specifics of the job. Together you’ll delve into your unique skills and experiences and how they could be relevant at On. It's also a time to assess how you might feel working side-by-side. Bring any questions you have about the job, the team or anything else you might like to know – this is an open forum.

• Step Four

  The Case Study

  What's your style? This task will help us understand how you think, face a challenge and give insight into your novel ideas. Designed to give everyone their best shot, your case study is based on something you might typically experience on the job. This is your chance to show us what you’ve got. So express yourself. Be you.

• Step Five

  The Experience Day

  Your first taste of the Oniverse. This is a time to meet some of the people you'll be working closest with. In person or virtually, you'll get a feel for the day-to-day at On and the people who make it happen. You'll chat with a few potential teammates - the conversations will be as equally driven by the role and your experience as by our values. We believe how you do things is just as important as what you do.

• Step Six

  The Result

  Are we a good fit? We’ll get together internally to share our feedback and decide if we’re a match. We know that job searching is a big time investment, so it’s not a decision we take lightly. It’s also time for you to reflect on the experience – are we the right place for you? No matter the outcome, we’ll give you meaningful feedback.