Specialist - Footwear Production Quality Control & Quality Assurance

This role ensures the highest standards for state-of-the-art products and supports On's commitment to performance and quality. It initially focuses heavily on hands-on quality control to safeguard factory output, before evolving to integrate AI tools and transition into a broader quality assurance scope. The role sits within the factory environment and collaborates with cross-functional teams and factory management.

• Safeguard production output, initially approx. 80% of the focus, by acting as the ultimate gatekeeper for quality and ensuring that 100% of products leaving the factory and warehouse comply with premium standards and deliver the “wow” factor to customers.
• Conduct rigorous checks of inbound Bottom Units (BU) and outbound production (A and B grades) at the end of the factory line, and perform comprehensive AQL-based quality checks at the warehouse (Welti).
• Develop, write and uphold the best Standard Operating Procedures (QC/QA SOPs) for conducting quality checks, while ensuring the factory team adheres to pre-QC processes.
• Investigate grading discrepancies between own findings and the factory team's output, using technical expertise to train factory personnel to meet On's standards and ensure alignment in production tracking tools.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to uphold Quality Control Assessment (QCA) and commercialisation standards, participating actively in the commercialisation process to understand product details and specifications.
• Support the introduction of AI in quality controls by training these systems and guiding the transition of responsibilities from daily QC execution to a broader Quality Assurance (QA) strategy.

• 2+ years of experience in quality control and assurance.
• Proven ability to author and implement Quality Control Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Strong hands-on experience with AQL inspections, measurement devices and defect tracking.
• Ability to investigate discrepancies, analyse quality data and train external/factory teams to align with brand standards.
• High adaptability with a strong interest in technology and excitement about training and integrating AI tools into traditional quality processes.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to confidently uphold standards and work effectively in cross-functional teams and with factory management.
• Fluency in English.
• Adaptability to fast-paced environments and passion for innovation in quality assurance.

• Experience in the premium footwear or sporting goods industry.
• Additional languages.

• Work is based within the factory in Zurich.

• An environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically, including opportunities to stay active, learn, explore and innovate.
• A supportive, team-oriented atmosphere.
• Access to personal self-care for physical and mental well-being.