The Footwear Material Lead plays a pivotal role in ensuring that sourcing strategies align with business needs for all material categories. Reporting to the Head of Footwear Material Sourcing based in HCMC, this role focuses on fostering strong supplier relationships, ensuring supplier performance, and upholding the highest standards of quality, sustainability, and ethical sourcing. In addition, the Footwear Material Lead will drive process optimization and cross‑functional collaboration to support product creation and manufacturing excellence.
Your Mission
* Lead and inspire a high‑performing team of material sourcing specialists while nurturing people skills and cultivating a positive team environment.
* Build and maintain robust relationships with material suppliers, ensuring alignment with sourcing strategies, operations, quality, and sustainability goals.
* Partner with suppliers to drive efficiencies and optimise costs; actively evaluate supplier performance to ensure continuous improvement.
* Spearhead the team in cross‑functional collaborations to proactively address perceived risks, pre‑production and production challenges and put in place contingencies to ensure brand delivery expectations are met.
* Develop comprehensive reports and actionable strategic recommendations to drive material consolidation initiatives, enhance KPIs for improved efficiency, reduce lead times, and ensure a resilient supply base that upholds quality standards and on‑time delivery.
* Own material‑related execution from concept through production, ensuring smooth integration between T2 suppliers and T1 factories.
* Oversee rigorous material testing processes and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to address material‑related issues and implement corrective measures.
* Drive material sustainability initiatives and partner with sustainability teams to set goals, track progress, and contribute to sustainability reporting.
* Research and analyze market insights, stay abreast of material science advancements, emerging technologies, and market trends of innovative materials.
* Perform other duties as required/assigned.
Your Story
* Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Footwear Technology, Material Science, or a related field.
* 5+ years of experience in the global footwear industry or a related field.
* Strong experience working with material suppliers and manufacturing partners in Asia.
* Good understanding of footwear design, development, and technical performance materials.
* Strong knowledge of textiles, yarns, constructions, polymers, and material testing requirements.
* Experience managing material development and sourcing from concept to commercialisation.
* Strong project management and cross‑functional communication skills.
* Able to work independently in a fast‑paced, international environment.
* Fluent in English; Mandarin is a plus.
Meet The Team
You will be working with some of the brightest minds in the industry.
What We Offer
On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore, and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team‑oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self‑care for both physical and mental well‑being, so each person is led by purpose.
On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.
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