Senior Lead - Colour Design

At On, we believe color and material are not just design elements—they’re emotional connectors and powerful storytellers. As the Senior Lead – Colour Designer for Footwear, you’ll shape the future of On’s footwear aesthetics by merging artistry, science, and innovation. You’ll lead the strategic direction for color design across our footwear collections for Lifestyle or Performance, ensuring each product embodies On’s unique blend of performance, design, and sustainability.

You will guide a team of designers through the entire creation process—from trend research and conceptualization to production and merchandising—crafting color and material narratives that captivate consumers and express the essence of our brand.

Join us and play a key role in redefining the visual language of performance footwear.

• Lead Colour Strategy:
  Define and execute the seasonal color vision for footwear Lifestyle or Performance in alignment with brand identity, market trends, and consumer insights.
• Consumer‑Centered Design:
  Strategize the use of color to evoke emotion, strengthen brand storytelling, and drive commercial success.
• Cross‑Category
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner closely with Apparel Color Design, Product Strategy, Design, Development, and Merchandising to ensure a unified aesthetic across all categories.
• Trend Forecasting & Research:
  Stay ahead of cultural, artistic, and technological shifts influencing color design and translate these into actionable seasonal palettes.
• Color Storytelling:
  Create cohesive narratives that integrate color to enhance performance and emotional resonance.
• Tool & Library Management:
  Curate and maintain a dynamic digital and physical color library to inspire and guide design teams.
• Leadership & Mentorship:
  Guide and inspire a team of color designers, fostering an inclusive environment of creativity, innovation, and growth.
• Global
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Work closely with Zurich and Vietnam teams to ensure clear briefs, efficient handovers, and process excellence from concept to production.
• Sustainability Leadership:
  Continuously challenge current dyeing and finishing standards to improve environmental impact and durability.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Color Science, Material Design, Industrial Design, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in footwear or apparel color design, with at least 3 years in a leadership or mentoring role.
• Proven expertise in color strategy and storytelling within a performance or lifestyle brand.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and color application limitations.
• Deep understanding of merchandising methodologies, consumer insights, and data‑driven color assortment planning.
• Familiar with Coloro and Pantone and other color systems, Adobe Creative Suite, and PLM tools; familiarity with data tools (e.g., Looker) is a plus.
• Passionate about sustainability and color innovation.
• Highly collaborative, solutions‑driven, and able to thrive in fast‑paced, dynamic environments.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present concepts compellingly to cross‑functional teams and leadership.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written); other languages are a plus.

Our Color and Materials Team plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity and aesthetic appeal of our products across all categories. Comprising talented professionals with diverse backgrounds in color theory and material science, we collaborate seamlessly to deliver innovative and trend‑setting designs that resonate with our consumers and elevate our brand presence in the market.

Location:

Zurich, Switzerland – our largest global hub in Zürich West, On Labs.

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.