At On, our Material Design team is central to defining the intersection of performance, aesthetics, and sustainability. We are looking for a Lead – Material Designer to join us here at On. In this role you will be responsible for setting the material design vision, driving innovation, and ensuring excellence across product categories.
Materials are a key expression of our brand—shaping how products perform, feel, and connect emotionally with consumers. As a Lead Material Designer, you combine deep technical expertise with a strong creative point of view to guide the development of material strategies and narratives at a global level. You lead and inspire teams, influence product direction, and translate cultural, technological, and sustainability insights into forward‑thinking material solutions that define On’s future.
Your mission
Material Strategy Leadership – Define and drive the long‑term material design vision across categories, aligning with brand, product strategy, and business goals
Seasonal Direction Setting – Own and lead seasonal material briefs, ensuring clarity, innovation, and alignment with commercial, sustainability, and margin targets
Creative Direction & Storytelling – Establish strong, differentiated material narratives that elevate product storytelling and reinforce brand identity
Material Innovation – Lead the exploration and integration of new materials, technologies, and finishes, pushing boundaries in performance and sustainability
Material Development Oversight – Guide and challenge the development of engineered materials and constructions, ensuring design intent is realized at the highest level
Materialways & Feasibility Leadership – Ensure material proposals are both visionary and executable, grounded in manufacturing expertise and scalability
Material Systems & Efficiency – Oversee material mapping and library strategy to drive consistency, efficiency, and scalability across product lines
Cross‑Functional Leadership – Act as a key partner and decision‑maker across Footwear Design, Color, Development, and Product Strategy teams
Color & Material Integration – Lead the integration of color and material strategies from concept through execution
Stakeholder Influence – Present and communicate material strategies and concepts at a senior level, driving alignment and key decisions
Team Leadership & Mentorship – Lead, mentor, and develop Material Designers, fostering growth, creativity, and high performance within the team
Culture & Innovation Driver – Champion a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team and across functions
Trend & Insight Leadership – Translate macro trends, cultural movements, and advancements in materials into actionable design direction
External Awareness – Maintain strong awareness of industry developments, suppliers, and emerging technologies to keep On at the forefront
Inspiration Direction – Oversee and elevate the team’s approach to inspiration, ensuring a forward‑looking and relevant creative pipeline
Your story
Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Product Design, or a related field
8–10+ years of experience in footwear or performance product design, with deep expertise in Material Design
Proven track record of leading material direction and delivering innovative, commercially successful products
Strong expertise in material construction, manufacturing processes, and performance requirements
Demonstrated ability to lead teams and influence cross‑functional stakeholders at multiple levels
Strategic mindset with the ability to connect creative vision to business impact
Advanced proficiency in design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, PLM); 3D capabilities are a strong plus
Deep commitment to sustainability, with experience driving responsible material strategies at scale
Strong understanding of competitive landscape, consumer insights, and market dynamics
Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills
Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional languages are a plus
What We Offer 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.
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Materials are a key expression of our brand—shaping how products perform, feel, and connect emotionally with consumers. As a Lead Material Designer, you combine deep technical expertise with a strong creative point of view to guide the development of material strategies and narratives at a global level. You lead and inspire teams, influence product direction, and translate cultural, technological, and sustainability insights into forward‑thinking material solutions that define On’s future.
Your mission
Material Strategy Leadership – Define and drive the long‑term material design vision across categories, aligning with brand, product strategy, and business goals
Seasonal Direction Setting – Own and lead seasonal material briefs, ensuring clarity, innovation, and alignment with commercial, sustainability, and margin targets
Creative Direction & Storytelling – Establish strong, differentiated material narratives that elevate product storytelling and reinforce brand identity
Material Innovation – Lead the exploration and integration of new materials, technologies, and finishes, pushing boundaries in performance and sustainability
Material Development Oversight – Guide and challenge the development of engineered materials and constructions, ensuring design intent is realized at the highest level
Materialways & Feasibility Leadership – Ensure material proposals are both visionary and executable, grounded in manufacturing expertise and scalability
Material Systems & Efficiency – Oversee material mapping and library strategy to drive consistency, efficiency, and scalability across product lines
Cross‑Functional Leadership – Act as a key partner and decision‑maker across Footwear Design, Color, Development, and Product Strategy teams
Color & Material Integration – Lead the integration of color and material strategies from concept through execution
Stakeholder Influence – Present and communicate material strategies and concepts at a senior level, driving alignment and key decisions
Team Leadership & Mentorship – Lead, mentor, and develop Material Designers, fostering growth, creativity, and high performance within the team
Culture & Innovation Driver – Champion a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team and across functions
Trend & Insight Leadership – Translate macro trends, cultural movements, and advancements in materials into actionable design direction
External Awareness – Maintain strong awareness of industry developments, suppliers, and emerging technologies to keep On at the forefront
Inspiration Direction – Oversee and elevate the team’s approach to inspiration, ensuring a forward‑looking and relevant creative pipeline
Your story
Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Product Design, or a related field
8–10+ years of experience in footwear or performance product design, with deep expertise in Material Design
Proven track record of leading material direction and delivering innovative, commercially successful products
Strong expertise in material construction, manufacturing processes, and performance requirements
Demonstrated ability to lead teams and influence cross‑functional stakeholders at multiple levels
Strategic mindset with the ability to connect creative vision to business impact
Advanced proficiency in design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, PLM); 3D capabilities are a strong plus
Deep commitment to sustainability, with experience driving responsible material strategies at scale
Strong understanding of competitive landscape, consumer insights, and market dynamics
Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills
Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional languages are a plus
What We Offer 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Lead - Footwear Material Designer Arbeitgeber: On
On ist ein hervorragender Arbeitgeber, der eine dynamische und unterstützende Arbeitsumgebung bietet, in der Mitarbeiter ganzheitlich wachsen können. Mit einem starken Fokus auf Teamarbeit und persönliches Wohlbefinden fördert das Unternehmen Innovation und kontinuierliches Lernen, während es gleichzeitig eine faire und inklusive Kultur pflegt. Die Möglichkeit, an der Spitze einer der innovativsten Technologien im Bereich Fußbekleidung zu arbeiten, macht diese Position besonders attraktiv für alle, die in einem schnelllebigen, globalen Umfeld tätig sein möchten.
