On - Head of Apparel Technical Development - Zürich

Team for Career Site

Apparel & Accessories Product Creation

In short

This is your opportunity to join one of the world’s fastest growing and forward thinking sportswear companies. As the Head of Apparel Technical Development, you are responsible for ensuring that On’s products meet and exceed customers’ expectations in terms of quality, fit, and performance. 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 Technical Development alongside the Director of Apparel Creation, co-represents the Apparel Product Creation leadership team that includes peers from our Design, Product Development, Material, Testing, Sourcing, Product Management, and Merchandising teams.

It delivers on the long term apparel creation strategy while being committed to our athletes and customers in launching game changing product innovation and experience.
The Head of Apparel Technical Development is the face and driver of the Apparel Engineering team, responsible for the technical expertise and fit excellence of On Apparel’s premium product range. Achieving a leading market position requires creative thinking and the ability to inspire all product creation shareholders, in our case through impeccable construction, workmanship, and fit. You will directly influence and impact our product integrity, interpret Design’s creative vision and fit intention, ensure fit consistency, while following a strict development calendar.
This role combines technical expertise in fit, garment construction, pattern engineering, and 3D prototyping, alongside the material and manufacturing processes to ensure the highest quality and performance of our Inline, Athlete, and Special Projects apparel collections.

Your mission

– Co-create with the Director of Apparel Creation, the long term Product Technical Development goals and strategy (fit, construction, workmanship, quality, functionality) that addresses end use without compromising on Design’s creative vision including silhouette, fit intent, and brand vision.
– Partner closely with the Head of Apparel Development, Senior Lead of Testing, and Director of Apparel Material to ensure all products meet our On quality expectations, garment wear testing standards, and cost engineering strategy from concept to manufacturing readiness stage.
– Update and evaluate technical fit standards to deliver the best and most consistent fit experience for our global customers, while gaining efficiency in both development and bulk production.
– Implement an efficient process of prototype evaluation and improvements between our global supplier base in conjunction with Zurich Product Development, Apparel Testing, and our Asia Sourcing Office (ASO) Development; Production teams.
– Direct the Pattern Engineering, Product Development, and Design teams to expertly conduct fit sessions, patterns reviews, and provide technical expertise and solutions to ensure our garments fit, function, and align to our customers’ expectations.
– Incorporate Fit Blocks, monitor fit model measurements regularly, and maintain grading standards to ensure technical precision, brand integrity, and fit consistency on a variety of global fit goals and standards.
– Drive an industry-leading Fit Classification system (Close, Regular, Relaxed) for all product categories that is universal for the business and clear to both internal and external users while advising on possible category and franchise expansion.
– Empower your team to excel in premium apparel craftsmanship, technical skill-building, and 3D prototyping while fostering an environment of continuous learning and spearheading industry innovation (i.e. latest garment technologies, processes, workflows, equipment, software).
– Partner with cross functional leaders to ensure alignment on Brand strategies and develop product specifications, timelines, and business goals from a technical perspective (i.e. APAC Fit,Extended Sizing & Grading, Fit & Presentation Models, etc.).
– Collaborate with Zurich Procurement & Quality and Vietnam Quality teams to monitor and evaluate apparel warranty claims, product risk assessment, and Ecomm & Retail product return feedback for continuous improvement and increased customer satisfaction.
– Mentor, nurture, and inspire the Apparel Engineering team by building a diverse and technically skilled talent pipeline.
– Empower and enable the team through coaching, career development, and by fostering an environment of collaboration, belonging, and well-being.
– Provide encouraging and effective leadership, education, and support to cross-functional partners (Apparel Product Development, Apparel Testing, Design, Product Management, Merchandising, Sourcing) in areas related to apparel engineering and technical development.
– 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.
– Cultivate a proactive and entrepreneurial team culture alongside long term succession planning for further growth.

Your story

– Bachelor’s Degree (minimum) in Product Development, Technical Development, Design, or a related field from a globally recognised university.
– 10+ years of 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, tights, sport bras, seamless, hybrids, outerwear, casual tailoring, etc.) and global manufacturing supplier base.
– 10+ years of experience leading high performing technical, product development, or apparel engineering teams, (preferably within the sportswear industry) with demonstrated leadership capability, including strong track record in developing diverse talent within a dynamic work environment.
– Expert level knowledge in technical development and pattern making in relation to apparel manufacturing, i.e. construction, fit, wear-testing, digital product creation, cost engineering, and material science.
– Vast experience working with Design, Product Development, Materials, and Testing teams on new apparel concepts, functional garment problem solving solutions, and wear testing standards.
– Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop technical talent, strong track record in elevating the technical skills of their internal and cross-functional teams.
– Proven ability to translate Design’s creative concepts into technically sound products, while solving complex technical challenges with innovative thinking and technically accurate execution.
– Diplomatic and open mindset with diverse stakeholders as well as superior communication and presentation skills (highly cultivated verbal and written English).
– Highly attentive to detail and organisation with the superior ability to articulately create and present effective strategy documents to the senior leadership group while effectively leading cross-functional projects toward a vision and execution.
– Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, flexibility, and agility in order to seamlessly navigate change management and bring forth the entrepreneurial spirit when facing unexpected challenges.
– Able to balance creativity and entrepreneurial spirit with organisation and discipline in a dynamic and diverse, fast-paced environment.
– Proficiency in MS office (Excel/Word), Adobe Design Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), CAD software (Gerber, Lectra, Optitex), 3D Software (Browzwear, V-Stitcher, CLO), and Flex PLM or similar PLM software.

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 discerning,
global customer base.

Product creation is a mindset and every team member is empowered to make decisions with the understanding that failure is part of the learning and growth process. As an integrated function in the design and development organisation; we are detail-minded problem solvers; guiding and executing apparel technical development within tight timelines and the highest possible product quality, both on the shelf and in use.