Senior Strategy Lead - Operational Excellence
On Running
Posted 20 March 2026
About this role
In short
You will play a key role in shaping how On develops and delivers new products to the market. In this role, you will lead your own projects and work with various teams across our product organization to evolve the Go-To-Market process and ensure that the necessary capabilities, technologies and ways of working are in place to support On’s long-term strategy.
Your mission
- Apply a strategic and analytical lens to problem-solving: Break down ambiguous challenges into a set of prioritized questions, ensuring the focus remains on high-value areas that align with On’s long-term strategy.
- Lead strategic projects: Lead key projects that shape the future state of the product organization’s processes, capabilities, technologies & ways of working. This includes defining the key questions, structuring the approach, performing the necessary analyses and delivering insights that drive critical business decisions.
- Ensure cross functional alignment: Tightly collaborate with stakeholders from innovation, product strategy, design, product development, sourcing, tech and other functions. Navigate different view points and effectively develop actionable solutions that enhance quality, speed and effectiveness of the product organization.
- Act as thought partner: Proactively partner with stakeholders across the product organization to co-create and drive the adoption of actionable new frameworks and best practices. Move beyond reactive problem-solving, anticipate challenges and develop strategic solutions that enhance business impact.
Your story
- 8+ years of experience in roles such as product strategy, strategy functions, operational excellence functions (focused on product), product creation process, etc.
- You possess mandatory experience in the footwear and/or apparel industry, ideally complemented by an established consultancy background.
- Proven track record of independently leading strategic projects, being comfortable shifting between different topics (e.g. Innovation, quality management, process improvement).
- Functional expertise in designing innovation / NPD (new product development) processes & capabilities is a plus.
- Strong ability to analyse, synthesize, structure & simplify complex problems.
- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage, influence and align with stakeholders across the organization.
- Passion for understanding and advancing On’s vision and long-term business objectives.
- Fluent in English spoken and written.
Meet the team
You will be part of the Operational Excellence team and report to the Head of Strategy - Operational Excellence. The team is part of the product organization: an entrepreneurial, dynamic and talented group focused on evolving the product organization (innovation, product strategy, design, development, sourcing) to new levels of effectiveness and performance.
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.