Senior Lead - Accessories Materials

In short

The Senior Lead for Accessories Material Development is the face and driver of material excellence of On’s Accessories premium and high performing product range. Achieving a leading market position requires innovative thinking and the ability to inspire all product creation shareholders, in our case through materiality. You will directly influence the premium product quality, know to read and translate the On design identity, implement an agile materials development calendar and drive ambitious innovative and sustainable solutions. You embrace challenges and take initiative to solve them by striving for even better. You will report into the Head of Accessories Creation but be in constant collaboration with the Accessories Development Lead, Accessories Design Lead and our Accessories Product Manager Lead.

Your Mission

• Ensure heightened materiality per product need, enhancing the product fit and finishings in relation to design and material while ensuring timely commercialization and compliance with testing requirements and costing constraints.
• Oversee the full collection of fabric, yarn, trim, hardware and colour from initial design hand-over to STS (Sales Team Sample). Monitor the timeline and choices, providing detailed guidance to suppliers with support from the Accessories Material Specialists.
• Lead and drive material development processes, implementing innovative workflows both internally and with external partners.
• Develop and manage agile material development structures within our seasonal calendar to shorten timelines while improving product quality.
• Establish a comprehensive material library and core material foundation that inspires Design teams, enabling them to select new materials seamlessly.
• Work in collaboration with Development Lead, Innovation team, Sustainability team to incorporate new product concepts and strategies inline.
• Prepare and hold presentations to support internal cross functional teams (e.g. Seasonal Kick-off, Supplier Summit).
• Manage pricing and lead time negotiations with suppliers to ensure product costing aligns with milestones.
• Identify potential new material partners and build out our material and trim sourcing strategy, in collaboration with the Head of Accessories Operations, Accessories Development Lead and Sourcing Material Lead.
• Build, lead and train the material team to ensure a solid understanding of the company’s design identity and technical excellence.
• Foster a proactive and entrepreneurial team culture.
• Cultivate strong relationships with Development, Design, Product Management, QA, and sourcing teams.