Head of Product Development (Lifestyle)

Head of Product Development (Lifestyle)

Location: Zurich

Apparel & Accessories Product Creation

In short

As the Head of Product Development at On, you will lead the global Product Development function across Apparel, setting the long‑term vision and strategy for turning creative ideas into best‑in‑class, performance‑driven, commercially successful products. You’ll build and scale systems, teams, and partnerships that enable On to deliver technical excellence, margin achievement, sustainability, and innovation. This senior leadership role requires a visionary mindset, deep product expertise, and strong organisational leadership. You will partner with Design, Product Management, Sourcing, and Innovation – translating On’s brand ambition into technical, scalable reality.

Your Mission

• Define and implement apparel product development strategy, aligning with brand vision, business goals, and product creation needs.
• Lead and evolve the global apparel development team, creating the environment, tools, and structure for sustainable, high‑performance delivery.
• Drive cross‑functional alignment across Product, Design, Innovation, Materials, Sourcing, and Operations.
• Ensure commercial readiness and scalability of the apparel portfolio, championing products that meet margin, quality, and innovation goals.
• Translate creative direction into executable frameworks, ensuring collections are technically sound, fit‑accurate, and financially viable while maintaining brand identity.
• Own sustainability targets within Product Development, embedding circular design principles, sustainable materials, and responsible construction methods.
• Act as a strong commercial and technical voice at the leadership table.
• Attract, develop, and retain top talent, building an inclusive, high‑performing team culture.
• Develop future leaders through succession planning, mentoring, and coaching.
• Monitor industry, technology, and supply‑chain trends to keep the team ahead of the curve.
• Foster a culture of curiosity, accountability, and resilience, helping the team navigate ambiguity and collaborate with trust.

Your story

• 14+ years in apparel product development, with senior leadership in multi‑category or global teams.
• Proven success in building and implementing long‑term product and team strategies aligned with business or brand goals.
• Strong track record in translating creative design into high‑quality, commercially successful products, especially technical or performance‑driven apparel.
• Deep understanding of fit engineering, construction, costing, manufacturing, and product lifecycle management.
• Experience leading organizations to meet or exceed sustainability and innovation targets.
• Inspirational people leader who builds and scales teams, develops leaders, and nurtures inclusive cultures.
• Commercially savvy, owning margin targets and development strategies across seasons and categories.
• Skilled cross‑functional collaborator able to influence at all levels.
• Strong communicator who simplifies complexity and drives alignment.
• Fluent in English; additional languages (Mandarin or German) are a plus.
• Willingness to travel globally to support team and supplier operations.

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