Product Testing is the voice of the athlete and the consumer at On. We ensure every product delivers a premium, high-performance experience by combining scientific rigor with real-world insight. As Apparel and Accessories Testing Lead, you will be responsible for validating products from development through to market, focusing on specialized, high performance sport categories. You’ll work in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment and act as a key partner across Design, Development, Materials, and Strategy to ensure excellence in the wearing experience including comfort, durability, and performance.
Your Mission
Command the Validation Strategy: Define and execute rigorous testing strategies across durability, comfort, and performance, taking charge of specialized testing programs. Identify testing requirements based on product briefs and target consumers, confidently owning the end‑to‑end testing process.
Uncover the Truth in Data: Lead qualitative and quantitative apparel and accessories testing, perception studies, and real‑world validation to ensure our products reflect authentic athlete and consumer needs. Integrate consumer insights, scientific expertise, and performance analysis into standardized, evidence‑based product evaluations.
Drive Confident Decisions: Translate complex testing results into powerful insights that enable confident decision‑making and elevate product excellence across the organization. Analyze performance and durability data, including behavior and attitudinal insights, developing clear reports for project stakeholders.
Influence Product Creation: Conduct hands‑on performance testing, directly presenting key findings and improvement recommendations to critical stakeholders. Deliver benchmarking and competitor insights to spot opportunities for true innovation and product differentiation in the global sports arena.
Build the Testing Ecosystem: Establish highly efficient testing processes, timelines, and feedback loops aligned seamlessly with Product Creation calendars. Build and maintain a dynamic tester network of agile, high‑performance athletes that supports both everyday testing needs and urgent project timelines. Set up high‑energy testing events and initiatives to drive deep engagement within the testing community.
Elevate Operations: Work seamlessly with testing systems and databases to ensure accurate, high‑quality data and optimized reporting flows. Contribute significantly to team goals, process improvements, and the continuous evolution of our testing methodologies.
Your Story
A strategic thinker and natural leader with a proven track record of managing complex projects or product validation cycles from concept to market.
A deep understanding of specialized, high‑performance sports apparel and accessories, and the ability to balance scientific testing rigor with real‑world, human‑centric feedback.
Exceptional communication skills, able to translate dense data and testing metrics into clear, actionable recommendations for cross‑functional teams.
Highly organized with the capability to build robust tester networks, establish efficient processes, and manage global testing logistics.
7+ years of experience in a field focused on the human experience with a product or service.
Willingness to travel globally and flexibility to work outside typical hours to align with athlete schedules and events.
Clear communicator in English, both verbal and written.
We are excited to hear from candidates from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to:
Apparel Product Testing or Development
User Experience Research (UXR)
Biomechanics or Kinesiology
Materials Science or Textile Engineering
Ergonomics or Human Factors
Sports Marketing or Athlete Management
High‑Performance Coaching
Meet The Team
You’ll be a leader in a global team fueled by a culture of relentless discovery. We test and validate our product promises, transforming athlete feedback and scientific data into market‑leading performance. While our creation partners work to make products great, our mission is to prove they’re great. Based in Zurich, our team of Footwear, Apparel & Accessories, and Lab experts is the ultimate destination for individuals dedicated to enhancing the consumer experience.
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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