On Senior Lead - Sustainability, Footwear Creation
About the role
Overview
At On, innovation, performance, and sustainability are intrinsically linked. As the Senior Lead for Sustainability in Footwear Creation, you will be a pivotal change leader transforming sustainability vision into scalable reality. You'll work at the critical intersection of Footwear Development, Engineering, Materials, and Testing to ensure every product decision moves the company towards a lower-impact, higher-quality future.
Responsibilities
Translate sustainability concepts into practical creation strategies, reducing environmental impact while maintaining product quality
Define and implement frameworks, tools, and metrics to embed sustainability across Footwear Creation teams
Act as a strategic consultant, helping teams interpret data and make informed material and process decisions
Lead scale-up of key sustainability initiatives like low-impact dyeing solutions
Integrate sustainability into creation workflows from material selection to prototyping and testing
Partner with Sourcing and Materials Leadership to evolve the footwear material toolbox
Deliver training and tools to empower creation teams to make sustainability-led decisions
Requirements
8+ years of progressive experience in the footwear industry
Strong background in footwear product creation and industrial production
Proven project management skills with ability to turn complex strategies into structured execution
Experience working in production or factory environments
Ability to balance sustainability with performance, aesthetics, quality, and manufacturability
Excellent cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
Benefits
On offers an environment centered on growth and progress, providing tools for holistic personal development. The company supports both professional advancement and personal well-being, creating a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere that encourages innovation and continuous learning.
Team Culture
The Footwear Creation team is a small, dynamic group with significant responsibilities. They implement sustainability strategies, conduct research, create innovative products and processes, and drive strategic sustainability priorities across the organization.
