Descripción
At a Glance:
This is a rare opportunity to lead and shape the future direction of technical development and fit innovation for one of the world’s most forward thinking sportswear companies. As the Director of Global Fit & Technical Development, you will spearhead On’s fit strategy, pattern engineering, and technical development function, ensuring that every product delivers on our premium promise and aligns with the brand’s commitment to innovation, performance and customer delight.
Reporting to the Snr Director of Apparel and Accessories Creation & Sourcing, this role is a key member of the Global Apparel leadership team. You will drive the strategic direction of our fit and garment engineering organisation - setting global standards, pioneering new methodologies and inspiring cross functional excellence. Your leadership will influence not just how our products are made, but how they are experienced by athletes and customers around the world.
The Director of Global Fit & Technical Development will work closely with their cross functional partners in Design, Development, Materials, Sourcing, Merchandising, and Quality, to ensure we are delivering products to our customers and athletes which live up to our quality promise.
The Director of Global Fit & 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 lead, influence and impact our product integrity, interpret Design’s creative vision and fit intention, ensure fit consistency, deliver against our premium quality promise, 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 Team:
We are focused, solutions-oriented, and able to take action upon imminent challenges. We establish and follow processes, but are also continuously challenging 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 commercialized 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 organization; 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.
Your Mission:
Define and lead On’s global fit and technical development strategy, translating business goals, customer insights and product innovation into a scalable, premium experience across all apparel categories.
Elevate technical development as a strategic function - ensuring consistency, excellence, and efficiency across regions, product lines and supply chain partners.
Partner with the cross function product creation and sourcing teams to ensure alignment between our products and our quality expectations, garment wear testing standards, and cost engineering strategy from concept to manufacturing readiness stage
Lead the evolution of On’s fit standards, grading architecture, and pattern libraries
Establish and maintain technical fit standards to deliver the best and most consistent fit experience for our global customers, while gaining efficiency from development through bulk production, while continuously improving our fit library, size guides, POMs, and educating the teams
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
Manage and lead 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. Fully accountable for the Technical Development team.
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
Serve as the brands global voice for fit excellence ensuring we have consistency across our vendor base to deliver against the brand’s global fit strategy
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. specific regional 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
Ensure we are continuously supporting the customer feedback as it relates to product fit and quality and implementing it into our product process
Oversee department budget, model management, and on time delivery for the business
Team Building:
Mentor, nurture, and inspire the Apparel Engineering team by building a diverse and technically skilled talent pipeline.
Empower and train 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)
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 Design, Design, or a related field from a globally recognized university
15+ years of experience in apparel technical design 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
15+ years of experience leading high performing technical, product development, or apparel engineering teams, 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).
Visionary thinker and ability to execute against innovative new approach to global fit which includes technology in conjunction with technical artisanal craftsmanship
Highly attentive to detail and organization with the superior ability to articulately create and present effective strategy documents to the senior leadership group while effec