Senior Lead - Footwear Materials Strategic Sustainability Initiatives

You will work directly with the Global Head of Footwear Materials to develop and implement the strategy for On’s most important and overarching topic: sustainability through footwear materials. This role is pivotal in achieving our ambitious goals by collaborating with the entire R&D, operations, and broader On team. The overall scope of the role includes positively impacting all Sustainability topics across the Product Organization for Footwear. We are looking for an experienced and proactive sustainability enthusiast to make a real impact.
Your Mission
– Be a proactive self-starter passionate about creating change, with a proven track record of leading and implementing sustainability strategies in senior roles (5-10 years of experience).- Bring in-depth knowledge of materials specific to footwear and an understanding of developing strategies, visions, targets, and KPIs for sustainable and inclusive business transformation.-Stay abreast of the latest developments, innovations, and trends within the footwear industry, such as circularity, biodegradable materials, renewable energy usage, and new certification standards. Evaluate these trends and identify opportunities to integrate them into our sustainability practices and product offerings- Drive the implementation of educational tools and frameworks for the business, with a strong enthusiasm for delivering them through effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills.- Demonstrate excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills to engage, inspire, and influence diverse audiences at different levels within the organization and externally.- Contribute to the development and execution of our sustainability strategy, working to align short- term initiatives with long term goals.- Collaborate with multiple stakeholders to successfully execute action plans and work effectively across departments and with external partners.- Exhibit exceptional project management abilities, prioritizing and managing multiple initiatives concurrently with clear milestones with KPIs that track key environmental and social impacts, such as carbon footprint, material sourcing, waste reduction, and worker rights. Regularly report on progress to internal stakeholders, supporting data-driven decision-making.- Promote effective cross-functional collaboration, alignment, and timely achievement of key milestones toward our Impact Progress Report.- Possess a strong understanding of governance principles, ethics, and compliance.- Collaborate with and influence other leaders, ensuring they become advocates for this mission in every part of the business.- Be able to switch quickly between different topics, understand complex ecosystems, and navigate cross-functional collaboration landscapes.- Serve as a leader by leading and developing the sustainability strategy and engagement team, ensuring timelines and targets are met.
Your Story
– 8+ years of progressive experience within the apparel or footwear industry with similar industrial production challenges- Educational background in material or environmental science- Extensive experience and knowledge across all sustainability topics for product creation, with the ability to offer a critical perspective- Experience leading cross-functional projects across product creation chain (design, product management, product creation, sourcing) managing multiple stakeholders- Expertise in sourcing or environmental management with problem-solving skills- Embody the Survivor Spirit, as a thought leader who challenges the status quo and doesn’t settle for the “industry standard” in sustainability practices- Experience leading through influence across functions – a visionary leader with a down-to-earth attitude who not only defines and articulates a long-term mission but is also eager to drive execution and collaborate on problem-solving with key internal stakeholders
Meet The Team
We are a small team with big responsibilities. In our Footwear Materials team, we implement and execute the sustainability strategy for the entire company through our footwear materials where we help shape the future of the organization. We conduct research, create strategies, implement projects, and innovate products and processes through the lens of sustainable materials and footwear. One of the main objectives of the team is to drive strategic material sustainability priorities into reality in collaboration with other departments across the company, with a focus on consistent and effective communication and education around these topics. As the Senior Lead, you will also have the important task of leading and influencing the current team and fostering effective collaboration across our global footwear creation team.
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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