About the job
Director of Footwear Innovation, Asia
Our Vision
At On, we embrace Swiss Engineering as the foundation of our philosophy. This commitment manifests in every product we create, emphasizing craftsmanship, performance, and unparalleled quality. As we expand our global footprint, we are in search of a transformative leader to bring this ethos to life directly at our production hubs. In the role of Director of Footwear Innovation, Asia, you will serve as the senior brand representative in Vietnam, tasked with synchronizing our creation teams and ensuring that each shoe produced in our partner factories epitomizes our dedication to quality, innovation, and excellence.
You will act as a vital link between our functional teams based in Zurich and our sourcing and manufacturing partners. This role transcends traditional sourcing responsibilities; you will be the brand's voice and advocate for the consumer, empowered to make critical product decisions that maintain our brand integrity while enhancing performance and elevating the premiumization of our footwear. Leading a top-tier, multidisciplinary team, you will oversee the comprehensive product creation process from initial concept to the delivery of a world-class product range that meets commercial scalability and consistent manufacturing timelines.
Your Contribution & Core Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor creation teams across Inline Development, Engineering, and Testing in Asia, fostering a collaborative culture focused on clarity and execution excellence. You will bring the meticulous nature of Swiss Engineering into our creation centers, ensuring our values are embodied in the final product.
- As the primary creation representative on-site, you will collaborate closely with Sourcing and Tier 1 teams to steer product execution through a brand and consumer perspective. Together, these teams will guarantee that each product aligns with On's standards for fit, finish, and premium performance before scaling.
- One of your essential tasks will be to ensure timely milestone readiness and precise sampling execution. By streamlining sample workflows, localized testing, and technical transitions, you will help eliminate delays and set new benchmarks for craftsmanship and quality.
- Functioning as a bridge between Innovation and Tier 1 partners, you will translate advanced concepts (TRL8+) into feasible, validated, and scalable solutions, employing engineering rigor and collaborative problem-solving to connect concept with commercialization.
- This role is pivotal in executing global, source-led initiatives such as factory direct development, rapid market entry workflows, and standardization of sample quality, while also promoting the advancement of 3D collaborative methodologies.

