Manager, Materials Development (Apparel)

About the Role

We’ll never launch a product unless we consider it perfect. Our product development teams create every shirt, every shoe, and every piece of equipment for thousands of athletes and fashion lovers as if it were one of a kind. As Manager of Materials Development Apparel, you are a key contributor in the apparel material development process, ensuring the availability of materials (fabrics, trims, and prints) that support the strategic marketing and design direction to enable commercial success. You will find and/or develop the right materials according to calendar timelines, target prices, sourcing policy, and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Be the key contact and consultant for all material-related questions for all internal interfaces.
• Lead all cross-functional discussions related to materials topics, steer the material selection process, and drive material consolidation to improve efficiency.
• Build and maintain close relationships with internal and external interfaces such as Design, Creation Center Product Development, Material Sourcing, Quality, and Suppliers.
• Ensure availability and accuracy of materials data in the internal administration system (technical data, cost, toolbox, lifecycle).
• Identify suitable sources for new material developments according to sourcing strategy and in line with garment allocation.
• Interact and guide Tier 2 suppliers to translate the design vision into new, innovative materials that meet the commercial needs of the brand.
• Initiate and monitor all seasonal material developments (collaborating with Tier 2 suppliers, Sourcing, Quality, and Advanced Creation) and be responsible for initial material price negotiations with suppliers during the development stage.
• Ensure that all selected materials are tested and released by Materials Quality in accordance with applicable calendar timelines and adidas quality standards.
• Cooperate with the cross-functional team to create a focused material toolbox and provide guidance on improving material efficiencies.
• Continuously improve through regular consolidation and verification of the materials library for cross-functional communities, enforcing material sharing where possible.
• Provide the latest information and research on material trends to respective Business Units/categories by gathering input from internal stakeholders, fairs, supplier meetings, and apparel material shows.
• Work with horizontal teams to translate innovation and sustainable concepts into the Business plan for Business Units.

Key Relationships

• Marketing
• Design
• Sourcing (including Quality)
• Product Operations (Product Development, Sustainability and Materials, Advanced Creation, Planning, Costing)
• Suppliers Tier 2
• Creation Center in Asia and North America

Qualifications

• College/university degree or comparable education in textile engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in material development or an associated field.

Skills

• Powerful communication and presentation skills.
• Strong influencing skills and a solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong knowledge of the apparel creation process; ability to identify and address material-related issues and offer alternatives.
• Good planning and organization skills, with the ability to multitask.
• English language proficiency (required).
• Strong IT skills (email, MS Office), ability to work with internal material databases and reporting tools; preferably first experience in the 3D creation process.
• Continuous learning and growth mindset.

Benefits

• Robust and progressive medical, dental, and vision coverage, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options.
• Prescription drug coverage, adoption, surrogacy, and fertility support.
• Short- and long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D insurance (supplementable with employee-paid coverage).
• 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match.
• Education assistance and generous leave policies, including 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Annual bonus based on company and personal performance.
• Flexible time off accrual (.4388 hours per day, increasing with years of service), twelve paid holidays, and Service Time Off during milestone years.

Schedule

Hybrid work policy requiring in-office attendance Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Friday. In-office attendance is required on Fridays for high-collaboration work or in-person presentations.

Working location: Portland, Oregon. Working language: English.