Specialist - Footwear Materials

In Short

As a Specialist – Footwear Materials, you will support the creation and development of performance materials in line with the company vision. The role focuses on material creation, development, and technical execution for lifestyle footwear products. Reporting to the Footwear Materials Team Lead, you will support the execution of the global material strategy, execute projects from concept to production, and collaborate closely with Design, Development, Product Marketing, and Sustainability teams.

You will participate in ensuring material integrity and industrialization, helping transform material concepts into scalable, high-performance solutions. You will contribute to technical specifications, quality standards, and sourcing execution for textiles and components, ensuring all materials meet performance and sustainability benchmarks. Acting as a technical link between global T2 suppliers and T1 product factories, you will support seamless integration from development through to mass production.

Your Mission

• Support the creation and sourcing of technical, high-performance materials according to design briefs, while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Evaluate and aim for material-specific targets in regards to the On sustainability roadmap as well as identify opportunities for gains in material performance, sustainability and efficiency.
• Support the material lifecycle, ensuring all materials are tested, approved, and continuously improved through a fundamental understanding of yarns, material structures, and polymers.
• Build and foster relationships with T2 suppliers and T1 factory teams to support material development, quality, and process improvements.
• Contribute to the maintenance of the material library and tools for the product creation teams.
• Collaborate with internal teams (EUR / NAM / ASIA) to ensure alignment and successful execution of material initiatives.

Your Story

• Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in Textile Engineering or Technology, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in textile material development or industry
• High attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written English) and a collaborative mindset when working with diverse stakeholders.
• Mid-level autonomy; able to manage day-to-day work with little instruction while seeking guidance on new assignments or strategic direction.
• Deep curiosity and a growth mindset, motivated to problem-solve in the face of unexpected challenges.

Your Team

The Footwear Materials team develops and delivers the company’s sustainability strategy for footwear materials. The team conducts research, defines material strategies, and supports projects that advance more sustainable materials, products, and processes. The team works closely with cross-functional partners to embed material sustainability priorities into footwear creation, with a strong focus on effective communication and knowledge sharing.

As a Specialist, you will contribute technical expertise, execute material selection tasks, and ensure high-performance materials are successfully integrated across footwear products.