Senior Manager - Apparel Innovation Development

Lululemon Athletica; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 167,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health and dental benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan matching

Immigration support

Job summary

lululemon Athletica is seeking a Senior Manager - Apparel Innovation Development to lead the Advanced Concepts Concept Creation team, translating vision into prototyping, fit, and construction. You’ll drive strategies and manage a high-performance team to deliver groundbreaking performance apparel.

The role emphasizes digital transformation, AI integration, and collaboration with Design, Research, Labs, and Materials to create world-class products worn by athletes and guests globally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Product Design, Product Development, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years in performance apparel with strong product creation expertise.
• High-impact communication and leadership for executive updates.
• Expert knowledge of apparel design, construction, and development time management.
• Ability to translate concepts into prototyping and scalable production solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the Advanced Concepts Concept Creation team within Product Innovation.
• Oversee technical execution from design inception to final product delivery.
• Drive digital transformation and integration of AI into product creation.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Design, Research, Labs, and Raw Materials.
• Mentor talent and shape long-term strategic direction.

Skills

Apparel product design

Construction & prototyping

AI tools

Technology integration

Team leadership

Communication with leaders

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Product Design or related field

Tools

Gerber

Browzewear

CLO3D

AI tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Apple Keynote

Job description

Senior Manager - Apparel Innovation Development

Business Unit: Store Support Centre (SSC)

Time Type: Full-time

Description & Requirements

who we are

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

about this team

The Advanced Concepts team explores the edges of possibility in apparel by investigating emerging materials, technologies, and manufacturing methods. We work at the intersection of design, science, and storytelling to bring future-facing concepts to life through tangible prototypes and immersive experiences that inspire the future of lululemon.

core responsibilities

At lululemon, we’re not just creating products, we are shaping the future of performance apparel, created to perform for our guests’ and athletes’. As the Advanced Innovation – Sr. Manager Concept Creation, you will be responsible for leading and managing the ConceptCreation team, who are responsible for the technical execution in how we bring designs to life – translating vision into reality through fit, construction, prototyping, and problem solving. It’s where performance is optimized, challenges are solved, and innovation becomes scalable. You will deliver transformative product that will exceed our athlete and guest expectations using your technical expertise in construction, new methods-of-make, and new technologies to deliver incomparable performance product following the design intent.

Bringing visionary product ideas to life, you’ll seamlessly integrate new methods of make, scientific research, athlete and guest insights, cutting-edge materials, and expert construction and fit to develop performance apparel that meets the exact specifications of lululemon guests and athletes. Your ability to project manage, lead with confidence in an ambiguous environment, and continuously push the boundaries of what's possible will be essential. At the core of your role, you’ll drive and manage a team who lead concept creation and development process through a unique timeline that shape products that not only meet but exceed the expectations of the brand and our guests and athletes, ensuring they have the tools they need to perform at the highest level.

• Drive Team Excellence: Lead and inspire the Advanced Concepts (AC) Concept Creation team within Product Innovation, setting the vision, goals, and clear processes that turn big ideas into reality.
• Innovative Concept Creation Excellence: Expertise in apparel innovation creation, planning, and best practices that lead towards breakthrough products across various performance product categories that are tailored for our guests’ and athletes’ while obsessing over the details, while collaborating, ideating, and refining product construction, performance, fit, and aesthetic while leveraging our internal sampling team and innovation factory partners.
• Product Creation Process: Lead the planning and detailed sequence of events that drives and facilitates decisions throughout the innovation creation process that encompassesideation to final product delivery, ensuring excellence in performance, fit, function, and aesthetic intent is maintained without compromise.
• Future-Proof the Concept Creation Process: Develop and test new product creation processes that elevate the team’s capabilities, ensuring we remain ahead of the curve in performance design and creation.
• Strategy:Shape and define the Concept Creation strategy for Advanced Concepts, driving the creation of high-performance apparel that reflects our brand ethos and pushes the boundaries of design.
• Create Game-Changing Products:Take apparel concepts from design inception through to execution, ensuring they meet the highest standards of performance, quality, and style, worn by our athletes on the global stage.
• Collaborative Problem-Solving: As an apparel creation expert, you will identify and provide innovative construction and fit solutions while delivering product of the highest quality for our guests and athletes to go beyond their potential.Working cross-functionally across teams consisting of Design, Research, Labs, Raw Materials, to ideate, refine, and evolve product concepts, always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
• Mentor and Build Talent: Foster a culture of creativity and growth, guiding your team to develop both their craft and leadership potential while building a stronger business within your area of expertise.
• Lead Digital Transformation: Pioneering new ways of working, you will introduce end-to-end digital processes that encourage exploration and innovation within your team.
• Innovate with AI: Be at the forefront of integrating AI into the product creation process, blending technology with creativity to deliver the next generation of performance apparel.
• Shape the Future: Craft short- and long-term strategies that align with team goals, positioning Lululemon at the cutting edge of innovation in performance apparel.
• Influence Leadership: Present your vision and progress to senior leadership, including executives and presidents, ensuring your strategy align with the brand’s broader goals.

qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Product Design, Product Development, or a related field; advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in the performance apparel industry.
• High profile communication and influencing skills, including the ability to interact and update leaders on status to ensure alignment.
• Expert knowledge of apparel and sport bra design, construction, and manufacturing.
• Proficient understanding of elite athlete product needs, design, construction, and product creation best practices and expertise in development time management with strong communication skills.
• High profile athlete communication and ability to interact with key internal business stakeholders and partners.
• Adjust to changing circumstances and adapt to ensure product creation excellence.
• In-depth understanding of the innovation creation calendar dates and gates, with the ability to adjust direction based on compressed timelines/ Athlete and Business needs.
• The ability to travel 30% of the time .
• Hands on make experience.
• Product Development or Technical Development experience.
• Consumer and Athlete Insight experience.
• Gerber, Browzewear, CLO3D, AI tools, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Apple Keynote .
• A passion for pushing the boundaries of product creation and crafting of product to deliver world-class performance apparel.
• Proven experience in leading high-performance teams and driving innovation and product creation.
• Expertise in product creation, GTM processes, and a forward-thinking approach to bringing products to our global guests.
• A deep understanding of athlete and guest needs and a commitment to crafting apparel that enhances performance.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience in stakeholder management and the ability to level set expectations x-functionally within Product Innovation and with our Mainline partners.

must haves

• Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility for your life.
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovate to achieve great results.
• Communicate with honesty and kindness and create the space for others to do the same.
• Lead with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
• Foster connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
• Integrate fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn’t take yourself too seriously.

additional notes

Immigration support is potentially available for this role.

compensation and benefits package

lululemon’s compensation offerings are grounded in a pay-for-performance philosophy that recognizes exceptional individual and teamperformance. Thetypical hiring range for this positionis from $167,400 - $219,700 CAD annually ; the base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards offering, permanent employees in this position may be eligible for our competitive annual bonus program, subject to program eligibility requirements.

At lululemon, investing in our people is a top priority. We believe that when life works, work works. We strive to be the place where inclusive leaders come to develop and enable all to be well. Recognizing our teams for their performance and dedication, other components of our total rewards offerings include support of career development, wellbeing, and personal growth:

• Extended health and dental benefits, and mental health plans
• Paid time off
• Savings and retirement plan matching
• Parenthood top-up
• Extensive catalog of development course offerings
• People networks, mentorship programs, and leadership series (to name a few)

Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

workplace arrangement

In-person collaboration and connection is important to our culture. Work is performed onsite, minimum 4 days per week.

Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest. Lululemon is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state or provincial and local laws and ordinances. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request. This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all practices relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, discipline, transfer, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. While management is primarily responsible for seeing that Lululemon equal employment opportunity policies are implemented, you share in the responsibility for assuring that, by your personal actions, the policies are effective.

lululemon is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you would like someone from our team to contact you for individualized support, email us at [e-mail] . In your email, please include the position title, the location of the position and the nature of your request.

The use of AI tools, including but not limited to ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, DeepSeek, or any other AI-assisted software, is strictly prohibited during the interview process. This includes, AI-generated responses, content creation, or any form of automated assistance in live interviews, case studies, technical assessments, or written submissions.

At lululemon, we are committed to privacy, integrity, transparency, and ethical hiring practices. Our commitment to responsible AI ensures that proprietary information is protected and that all hiring decisions are based on an individual’s own skills, judgment, and expertise without AI assistance. Any use of AI during the interview process will result in immediate disqualification. lululemon reserves the right to use AI detection tools to verify the authenticity of candidate responses.