Senior Lead - Apparel Material Development (Performance) — On Running
- Location
- Zürich
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- 13 days ago
Role overview
In Short
As Lead – Apparel Materials Development Performance, you will take responsibility for executing the global performance materials strategy and advancing textile technology in line with the company vision.
The role includes overseeing fabric creation, advanced material development, and technical execution, as well as collaborating across functions to support performance, sustainability, and high-performance product objectives.
- In Short
- As Lead – Apparel Materials Development Performance, you will take responsibility for executing the global performance materials strategy and advancing textile technology in line with the company vision.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in Textile Engineering, Textile Technology, Apparel Science, or a related field;
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
Key requirements
- Education: Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in Textile Engineering, Textile Technology, Apparel Science, or a related field;
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
- Experience: 8+ years of experience in performance apparel material/fabric development, with a proven track record in technical textiles, innovative synthetics, or sports apparel execution, including extensive collaboration with Asia-based suppliers and factories.
- Global Mobility: Extensive global travel experience to T2 material mills/suppliers and T1 garment factories to troubleshoot, create, develop, and source materials at the source.
Application process
- Technical Specifications: Create and maintain material and trim specifications, print applications, and related documentation using PLM system, supporting the adoption of best practices within the team.
- Supplier Partnerships: Build and maintain strategic relationships with T2 material suppliers (textile mills, print vendors) and T1 factory teams (garment manufacturers) to support material development, quality, and process improvements.
- Library Innovation: Contribute to the development and maintenance of the digital and physical apparel material library and tools used across the product creation team, supporting both inline commercial lines and special innovation projects.
- Cross-Functional Alignment: Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams — Design, Product Development, Product Management, Innovation, Sustainability, and Testing — across global regions (Eu & Asia Sourcing office) to ensure seamless alignment and successful execution of apparel material initiatives.
Company and context
- Project Leadership: Proven experience managing cross-functional material development projects from initial concept to commercial production across a matrixed organization.
- Sport Tech Expertise: Deep affinity for apparel design and technology in the technical performance category, with strong knowledge of performance fabric, garment construction methods (e.g., bonding, seam-sealing, knitting), and industry manufacturing processes.
- Innovation Mindset: Demonstrated success in driving innovation in performance materials (such as moisture management, thermoregulation, and lightweight durability), with experience managing multiple overlapping seasons of product development.
- Analytical & Organized: Strong attention to detail, with the ability to organize complex material data and deliver well-structured presentations and long-term planning documents to leadership.
- Leadership & Mentorship: Deep understanding of apparel industry processes, with the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and mentoring junior colleagues.
- Communication & Negotiation: Strong collaborative skills and experience engaging with diverse global stakeholders, featuring excellent verbal and written communication and negotiation abilities.
- Agility: Able to balance creative design intent with rigorous technical organization and discipline, thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Your Team
- The Apparel Materials Development Performance team develops and delivers the company’s performance and sustainability strategy for all apparel textiles and raw materials.
- The team conducts cutting-edge research, defines global material strategies, and supports projects that advance more sustainable materials, products, and manufacturing processes.
- We work closely with cross-functional partners to embed material sustainability and high-performance priorities into the core of garment creation, with a strong focus on effective communication and knowledge sharing.
Additional details
- You will also mentor junior specialists depending on project scope, and guide cross-functional partners to deliver innovative material solutions from concept through to garment production.
- Agility: Able to balance creative design intent with rigorous technical organization and discipline, thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Notes and original content
- Your Mission
- Your Profile
Questions about this listing
What salary does On Running offer for this role?
On Running lists CHF 101'500 - 154'000 gross per year for this position in Zürich. This is the salary published in the original listing (or, when the employer omits a figure, a realistic estimate for the role and sector) — the calculator on this site converts it to your actual net take-home once cross-border tax and social contributions are applied.
Is this a full-time role, and what type of contract does On Running offer?
This listing is a full-time position. The contract type shown here comes directly from the employer's original posting; always confirm exact hours, notice period and probation length with On Running during the application process, since these details can vary by role even within the same contract category.
Do I need a cross-border work permit for a role in Zürich?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton Zürich can apply for a G permit; the Swiss employer files it with that canton's migration office after the contract is signed. Border-zone rules and processing times vary by neighbouring country and canton, so confirm the specifics with Zürich's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at On Running?
Use the "Apply now" button on this page — it links directly to On Running's original listing at boards.greenhouse.io, so your application goes straight to the employer's own applicant-tracking system. Frontaliere Ticino does not collect or forward applications itself.
