Senior Specialist - Lab Technician

In short

You will work in a fast-paced environment that offers autonomy and opportunities for growth. As part of the Lab Testing team, your role will be to help ensure that On’s products meet global standards and the high expectations of consumers of a premium sportswear brand. You will be a member of the Lab Testing team and will report to the Lead - Lab Testing

Your Mission

In this role, you will be responsible for executing and continuously improving On’s lab testing frameworks, ensuring our labs deliver reliable insights that support innovation, development, and production. You will play a key role in translating ideas into validated, trusted products.

• Execute lab testing with excellence:Manage end-to-end lab testing across Innovation, Development, and Production stages. Receive and prepare samples, conduct testing, analyse results, and deliver clear, actionable reports. Partner closely with sourcing lab teams to ensure seamless execution during critical phases and timely delivery of results.

• Advance testing frameworks and capabilities: Evolve and maintain targeted testing frameworks aligned with innovation and development needs. Research and assess machinery and supplier capabilities, translate concepts into structured test plans, and align testing capacity within the Zurich Lab to support project timelines.

• Validate product and technology claims: Execute robust test methods to substantiate product and technology claims. Develop testing plans, manage resources, and communicate timelines, constraints, and expectations clearly to stakeholders.

• Ensure operational excellence in the lab:Collaborate with the Zurich Lab team to maintain equipment and facilities, ensuring all machines are clean, calibrated, and ready for use. Promote a culture of reliability, organisation, and continuous improvement.

• Build global knowledge and capability: Share expertise across global lab, development, sourcing, and T1 teams through training, mentorship, and knowledge transfer. Partner with external experts and third-party labs to stay current on industry best practices and communicate new requirements internally.

Your story

• Technical expertise: Strong background in material and product testing, with hands-on experience in lab execution and a track record of translating complex data into actionable insights.

• Cross-functional collaboration: Comfortable working closely with innovation, development, and sourcing teams in fast-paced environments.

• Lab operations & process development: Able to maintain and calibrate lab equipment while also improving testing frameworks and processes.

• Capability building: Experienced in mentoring, training, and sharing knowledge to grow technical expertise across global teams.

• Experience & qualifications: 6–7 years in lab testing or related roles. Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in a relevant field required.

• Skills & attributes: Detail-oriented, organised, proactive, and able to work independently. Strong verbal and written communication skills at all organisational levels.

• Additional requirements: Fluent in English, adaptable, and open to occasional travel.

What to expect

We want to set everyone up for success, so here’s the lowdown on how we hire. Our process is a two-way street – bringing you into our culture, while helping us learn how you think.

Our full process can last about eight weeks from application to offer, because we care about getting it right. These steps explain how we usually do things.

Before you get started, feel free to consider if you want to work with us. Strange question? Well, we give people a lot of space to navigate their day-to-day and that style isn't for everyone. We want you to be passionate about what you do and be sure this is the right fit. Because when skills and passion combine – it creates that 'Wow' moment.

• Step One

  It starts with you...

  You'll start by submitting your application to a specific role. We try to keep this step as simple as possible. We do get a lot of applications, but we review them all. If you're a good fit to the role, a recruiter will follow up with you directly. If you didn't receive a reply, or were unsuccessful this time around, we encourage you to look for other possible matches at On.

• Step Two

  Interview with a recruiter

  What ignites your spirit? This is where we’ll start getting to know all about you and what makes you tick – and it’s your first chance to get a feel for our culture. Chatting with a member of our talent team, you’ll learn more about On and how we work. We’ll learn about what motivates you and what you could bring to the team.

• Step Three

  Interview with a hiring manager

  Ready to dig into the details? This second interview will be held with your future manager and will focus on the specifics of the job. Together you’ll delve into your unique skills and experiences and how they could be relevant at On. It's also a time to assess how you might feel working side-by-side. Bring any questions you have about the job, the team or anything else you might like to know – this is an open forum.

• Step Four

  The Case Study

  What's your style? This task will help us understand how you think, face a challenge and give insight into your novel ideas. Designed to give everyone their best shot, your case study is based on something you might typically experience on the job. This is your chance to show us what you’ve got. So express yourself. Be you.

• Step Five

  The Experience Day

  Your first taste of the Oniverse. This is a time to meet some of the people you'll be working closest with. In person or virtually, you'll get a feel for the day-to-day at On and the people who make it happen. You'll chat with a few potential teammates - the conversations will be as equally driven by the role and your experience as by our values. We believe how you do things is just as important as what you do.

• Step Six

  The Result

  Are we a good fit? We’ll get together internally to share our feedback and decide if we’re a match. We know that job searching is a big time investment, so it’s not a decision we take lightly. It’s also time for you to reflect on the experience – are we the right place for you? No matter the outcome, we’ll give you meaningful feedback.

Step One:

It starts with you...

You'll start by submitting your application to a specific role.

We try to keep this step as simple as possible. We do get a lot of applications, but we review them all. If you're a good fit to the role, a recruiter will follow up with you directly. If you didn't receive a reply, or were unsuccessful this time around, we encourage you to look for other possible matches at On.