Manager, Materials Development (MLS Apparel)

Adidas; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

401(k)/Stock Purchase Plan

Education assistance

Paid parental leave

Employee product discounts

Job summary

Adidas in Portland, Oregon is seeking a Manager, Materials Development (MLS Apparel) to lead material selection, development, and supplier partnerships that translate design concepts into high-performance fabrics and trims. You will drive consolidation, efficiency, innovation, and sustainability across the development process.

You will collaborate with Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Quality, Advanced Creation, and suppliers to meet calendar timelines, target costs, and Adidas quality

Qualifications

• College or university degree in textile engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in material development or related field.
• Ability to identify material-related issues and propose viable alternatives.
• Strong communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Great planning and organizational abilities with seasonal timelines.
• Proficiency in English, the working language at Adidas.

Responsibilities

• Lead material selection and development with Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Quality, Advanced Creation, and suppliers.
• Drive material consolidation for efficiency, cost targets, and sustainability.
• Partner with Tier 2 suppliers to translate design into innovative materials meeting requirements.
• Manage seasonal material developments and calendar milestones.
• Negotiate initial material prices during development while balancing cost and quality.

Skills

Material development

Supplier management

Cross-functional collaboration

English proficiency

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Textile engineering degree

Tools

Internal material databases

Reporting tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW

At adidas, we never launch a product unless we consider it perfect. Our product creation teams bring together creativity, craftsmanship, technical expertise, and commercial insight to transform design concepts into products that perform for athletes and connect with consumers around the world.

As Manager, Materials Development (MLS Apparel), you are a key contributor to the apparel material development process. You ensure the availability of fabrics, trims, and prints that support strategic marketing and design direction while meeting calendar timelines, target costs, sourcing policies, and adidas quality standards.

You will lead material selection and development in close partnership with Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Quality, Advanced Creation, and suppliers. You will translate creative direction into commercially viable material solutions while driving consolidation, efficiency, innovation, and sustainability across the development process.

This role is strategically important to delivering the material capabilities required to support the MLS Apparel business. Through strong supplier partnerships, material expertise, and cross-functional leadership, you will help enable innovative, high-quality products that support brand and business objectives.

KEY 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.

REQUIRED 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.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience supporting apparel material development within a global product creation organization.
• Experience working directly with Tier 2 material suppliers and cross-functional sourcing and quality teams.
• Experience with material costing, supplier negotiations, and seasonal development calendars.
• Exposure to 3D product creation processes and related digital tools.
• Experience translating innovation and sustainability concepts into commercially viable material solutions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is based in Portland, Oregon and follows the adidas hybrid work policy. Employees are expected to work in the office Monday through Thursday, with flexibility to work remotely on Friday. In-office attendance may also be required on Fridays for work involving a high degree of collaboration or in-person presentations.

The role operates in a highly collaborative, fast-paced product creation environment and requires regular engagement with internal teams, Creation Centers, and external suppliers. Travel expectations are based on business needs and are not otherwise specified for this position.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

This role operates within the apparel material development organization and works closely with Marketing, Design, Sourcing and Quality, Product Development, Sustainability and Materials, Advanced Creation, Planning, Costing, Tier 2 suppliers, and Creation Centers in Asia and North America. The specific reporting line and direct-report scope are not specified.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Compensation for this position will be determined based on factors including relevant experience, skills, qualifications, and applicable market considerations.

Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and individual performance.

Eligible full-time employees have access to a comprehensive benefits package, subject to applicable plan terms, eligibility requirements, policies, and formal plan documents:

• Comprehensive medical coverage including HSA with employer funding or FSA options, dental, vision, and prescription plans.
• Adoption, surrogate, and fertility support programs.
• Short and long term disability coverage.
• Basic life and AD and D insurance with supplemental employee paid options.
• 401(k) plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match or applicable adidas contributions.
• Education assistance for eligible full time employees.
• Paid parental and other eligible leave programs.
• Flexible Time Off accrued at 0.4388 hours per day for employees with less than five years of service, increasing with tenure.
• Twelve Company-Designated paid holidays, including a Floating Holiday, plus milestone Service Time Off for eligible employees.
• Employee product discounts and access to wellness and Employee Assistance programs.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

At adidas, we foster a workplace culture built on respect, collaboration, and opportunity where employees can grow, contribute, and perform at their best.

We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds because they strengthen our teams, drive innovation, and help us better serve athletes, consumers, and communities around the world.

adidas is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.