Apparel Materials Development Lead

Adidas; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plan

Education assistance

Paid parental leave

Product discounts

Job summary

Adidas in Portland, Oregon seeks a Manager, Materials Development (MLS Apparel) to lead material selection and development, ensuring fabrics, trims, and prints meet design direction, calendar timelines, costs, sourcing policies, and quality standards.

You will partner with Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Quality, Sustainability and suppliers to translate creative direction into commercially viable material solutions, driving efficiency and innovation across the development process.

Qualifications

• College or university degree, or comparable education, in textile engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in material development or an associated field.
• Strong knowledge of the apparel creation process with the ability to identify material-related issues and recommend viable alternatives.
• Strong communication, presentation, and influencing skills with a solution-oriented approach.
• Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and seasonal timelines.
• Proficiency in English, the working language of adidas.
• Strong technology skills, including Microsoft Office, email, internal material databases, and reporting tools.
• Demonstrated continuous learning and growth mindset.

Responsibilities

• Material Leadership: Serve as the key contact and consultant for material-related topics across internal teams and external partners.
• Material Selection: Lead cross-functional material discussions, steer the selection process, and drive material consolidation to improve efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Build strong relationships with Design, Product Development, Material Sourcing, Quality, Advanced Creation, Sustainability, Planning, Costing, and other key stakeholders.
• Supplier Development: Partner with Tier 2 suppliers to translate design vision into innovative materials that meet creative, technical, quality, and commercial requirements.
• Material Sourcing: Identify suitable sources for new material developments in alignment with sourcing strategy and garment allocation.
• Seasonal Development: Initiate and monitor seasonal material developments with suppliers and cross-functional partners to deliver against calendar milestones.
• Cost Management: Lead initial material price negotiations with suppliers during the development stage while balancing cost targets, quality, and product requirements.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure selected materials are tested and released by Materials Quality according to applicable timelines and adidas quality standards.
• Material Data: Maintain the availability and accuracy of material information within internal systems, including technical data, cost, toolbox, and lifecycle information.
• Material Efficiency: Partner with cross-functional teams to build focused material toolboxes, increase material sharing, and improve material utilization across the organization.
• Library Management: Continuously consolidate and verify material libraries to improve accessibility, accuracy, and efficiency for cross-functional teams.
• Trend Research: Provide relevant material trend insights through internal stakeholder input, trade fairs, supplier meetings, material shows, and industry research.
• Innovation and Sustainability: Partner with horizontal teams to translate innovation and sustainability concepts into actionable business plans for applicable business units.

Skills

Material development

Cross-functional collaboration

Supplier management

Negotiation

Project planning

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in textile engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Material databases

ERP systems

Job description

Adidas in Portland, Oregon seeks a Manager, Materials Development (MLS Apparel) to lead material selection and development, ensuring fabrics, trims, and prints meet design direction, calendar timelines, costs, sourcing policies, and quality standards.

You will partner with Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Quality, Sustainability and suppliers to translate creative direction into commercially viable material solutions, driving efficiency and innovation across the development process.