As the Sr Lead Accessories Material Developer, you are the technical architect and driving force of material excellence for On’s rapidly growing Accessories product range. In this high-skilled Individual Contributor role, you will wield deep technical expertise to influence and shape the product creation landscape, pioneer a material branding strategy, and engineer ambitious, innovative and sustainable solutions. You don’t just execute briefs; you anticipate future market shifts, inspire cross-functional stakeholders, and set the technical benchmark for what is possible in premium performance gear.

• Architect and drive the long-term material strategy and innovation pipeline for On Accessories, translating high-level design visions into high-performance, commercially viable realities.
• Proactively identify, engineer, and validate next-generation fabrics and trims. Lead advanced material concepts from ideation through complex technical validation to future-proof On’s product offering.
• Serve as the strategic technical lead with global suppliers, managing high-level technical communication, ensuring strict adherence to On's elite performance and sustainability standards, and optimising development timelines.
• Act as the core technical anchor between Design, Product Development, Quality, and Sourcing to ensure seamless alignment, uncompromised product integrity, and the realisation of ambitious sustainability targets.
• Own the integrity of advanced material data within the PLM system, ensuring technical specifications, cost structures, and compliance metrics support scalable commercialisation.
• Oversee the technical execution of the seasonal color strategy and lab dip processes. Champion the resolution of complex, critical color and material feasibility topics, including feasibility, escalations, and technical problem-solving, by coordinating between creative and technical stakeholders to find viable solutions.
• Serve as the category subject-matter expert, continuously analysing global industry trends, advanced textile technologies, and analogous market innovations to maintain On’s competitive edge.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Textile Sciences, Textile Engineering/Technology from a global university or commensurate industry experience.
• 10+ years of deep, global hands-on experience in the performance textile industry with Asia & Europe supplier/factory experience.
• Comprehensive, expert-level understanding of advanced manufacturing processes for materials and trim, polymer science, weaving/knitting technologies, and specialised trim construction.
• A rare blend of sharp product aesthetics with a perspective on how to think and act strategically with the ability to look at a swatch and see the 3-year commercial and sustainability trajectory.
• Superior communication and presentation skills (verbal and written in English), with a demonstrated ability to influence executive stakeholders and align diverse, cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, solve complex technical challenges autonomously, and maintain rigorous organisational discipline in a fast-paced, premium R&D environment.