Head of Compound Engineering - Polymer Science & Engineering

Position: On Head of Compound Engineering - Polymer Science & Engineering

Take the leap and redefine the future of sports good production with us. Lead the compound engineering team in Vietnam and build a strong and reliable operation in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Your Mission

Your mission will be to lead the inline and innovation compound engineering team, developing and implementing cutting‑edge compound technologies to create high-performance, sustainable materials that redefine underfoot sensation. You will drive the efforts of manufacturing excellence, put in place documentation and processes, and contribute to our operations being more robust and transparent. You will be in charge of bringing on board state‑of‑the‑art partners and, through continuous innovation, you’ll push the boundaries of materials, technology, and processes, while keeping the big picture in mind.

Polymer

Innovation & Development

• Lead the development and validation of innovative polymer compounds (midsole, outsole, speed board) for footwear applications, from concept through to inline production and ensure the scalability of new development.
• Integrate sustainable materials into polymer development, aligned with On’s sustainability goals.
• Explore novel technologies, processing methods, and cross‑industry innovations to future‑proof product pipelines.

Manufacturing Excellence & Process Implementation

• Evaluate current material and manufacturing processes to identify opportunities for improved performance, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Define and maintain chemical engineering documentation, including compound formulation documentation; VOC reduction guidelines and data frameworks; process audit frameworks for compound production.
• Drive standardization of bonding processes and engineering guidelines to support consistent, high‑quality production.

Cross‑functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with internal teams (Innovation, Product Development, Operations) and external partners (material suppliers, factories).
• Support the costing team on price negotiation with suppliers.
• Lead knowledge‑sharing and upskilling initiatives around polymer materials, compliance, and best practices.

Your Story

• MSc (or higher) in Polymer Science, Material Science, compound engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10 years of hands‑on experience in compound engineering and leadership, with a strong focus on innovation, performance materials, and sustainability.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes like IM, CMP, SCIF, SCF, high‑pressure injection molding.
• Proven experience in driving complex projects collaborating with diverse stakeholders to scale up novel material solutions from concept to global supply chain integration.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with fluency in English required; additional language skills are a plus.

Meet The Team

The Innovation team is responsible for On’s future products, out‑of‑the‑box thinking, and athlete‑informed technology that differentiates On’s products in the market. Within the Innovation team you will join the Polymer Science and Engineering team, which is focused on polymer and compound development with a scope covering long‑term innovation to inline production. You will have the opportunity to be part of an agile and interdisciplinary department of engineers and scientists.

We foster a fast‑paced environment with direct decision making and the freedom to design projects and processes.

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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