On - Head of Apparel Product Integrity - Zürich

Team for Career Site

Apparel & Accessories Product Creation

In short

This is your opportunity to join one of the world’s fastest growing sports companies.

As the Head of Apparel Product Integrity, you are responsible for ensuring that On’s product meets and exceeds consumers expectations in terms of quality, construction, workmanship, and functional requirements.

As a key member of the globally integrated apparel organisation and cross-functional R&D team, you will be based in Zurich, Switzerland.

The Head of Apparel Product Integrity, alongside the Head of Apparel Development, co-represents Product Development within the Apparel Product Creation pod that includes Design, Product Management, Development,Testing, and Sourcing. It delivers on the long term apparel creation strategy while being committed to our athletes and consumers in launching game changing product and material innovation.

Working closely with the Director of Apparel Creation we build technically skillful and cohesive teams that apply their diverse abilities and perspectives to achieve common goals, driving inclusive performance management, rewards, and recognition.

Your mission

– Co-create with the Director of Apparel Creation, the long term Product Integrity
vision and strategy (construction, workmanship, quality, functionality) that
addresses product risk assessment (warranty claims, limitations) and
mitigation for end use and scalability without compromising on brand vision,
product function, and design & fit intent

– Establish and maintain the apparel product quality guideline and standards
(SOP), assurance, and compliance for On’s Apparel range that improves
customer experience across product categories and ensures On’s cutting edge
and industry leading position in the market

– Partner closely with the Head of Apparel Development, Head of Material
Development, and Head of Testing to ensure all products meet our On quality
and garment testing standards from concept to buy-readiness stage (seasonal
development)

– Identify critical material quality attributes and limitations based on design intent
and end use

– Evaluate tech-packs for the right construction details to gain efficiency in both
development and production

– Drive pre-cost and cost engineering efforts for margin & IMU optimisation,
volume cost advantages, and possible category and franchise expansion

– Implement an efficient process of prototype evaluation and improvements
between our global supplier base in conjunction with Zurich Development,
Testing, and Asia Sourcing Office (ASO) Production teams

– Collaborate with Zurich Procurement & Quality and Vietnam Quality teams to
monitor and evaluate apparel warranty claims, product return feedback for
continuous improvement and increased customer satisfaction

Team & System Building:

– Mentor, nurture, and inspire the Apparel Development team by building a
diverse and technically skilled talent pipeline; empowering and enabling
through coaching, career development, and creating an environment of
belonging and well-being

– Provide functional leadership and support to cross-functional partners (Material
Development, Testing, Design, Product Management, Merchandising,
Sourcing) in areas related to product quality, durability, garment construction,
engineering/costing, product commercialisation, and sustainability

– Build strong and impactful business relationships with existing and new global
suppliers when it comes to functional product quality standards, technical
readiness & expertise, and product innovation & co-creation

Your story

– Minimum 10 – 15 years’ experience in apparel technical or product development,
garment manufacturing, etc. working with a wide array of product categories
(including but not limited to knits, engineered knits, wovens, intimates,
seamless, hybrids, outerwear, etc.) and global manufacturing supplier base

– Expert level knowledge in product development and manufacturing –
construction, materials, product creation life cycle, costing, and product review
meetings & fit sessions; digital product creation a bonus

– Vast experience working with Design, Innovation, and Product Development
teams on new apparel concepts, functional problem solving solutions, and
garment wear testing

– Strong interpersonal skills & good relationship management with global
suppliers

– An entrepreneurial, curious, and open mindset, an eagerness for differentiation,
and an inherent push for excellence

– Able to balance creativity with organisation and discipline in a fast-paced
environment

– Minimum 10 – 15 years’ experience leading teams with demonstrated leadership
capability, including strong track record in developing diverse talent within a
dynamic work environment

– Highly cultivated verbal and written communication skills with ability to clearly
articulate goals and objectives

Meet the team

We are focused, solutions-oriented, and able to take action upon imminent challenges. We establish and follow processes, but are also continuously confronting the status quo and the “industry standard.”

We are engineers that steer pinnacle sportswear design ideas into functional reality. We are able to convert innovative concepts and prototypes into commercialised products with stringent quality and engineering standards, bringing them into the hands of our customers.

Development, product integrity, and quality is a mindset – and every team member is empowered to make decisions with the understanding that failure is part of the learning process.

As an integrated function in the design and development organisation; we are detail-minded problem solvers; guiding and executing apparel development within tight timelines and the highest possible product quality, both on the shelf and in use.