Lead - Footwear Material Designer

In short

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

About the Team

Our Color and Materials Team is a key driver of On’s global product expression and innovation. As a Lead, you play a critical role in shaping not only the output of the team but also its direction, culture, and impact. We bring together diverse expertise across color, materials, and design to create meaningful, high-performance product experiences. Through a highly collaborative and forward-thinking approach, we push boundaries, challenge conventions, and define the future of our brand.