Senior Manager, Materials Development (Apparel)

Adidas; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical coverage with HS

401(k) with company match

Education assistance

Paid parental leave

Annual holidays and flexible time off

Job summary

Adidas in Los Angeles is seeking a Senior Manager, Materials Development (Apparel) to lead end-to-end development of innovative apparel materials. You will ensure timelines, costs, sourcing, quality, and commercial needs are met while guiding global teams and suppliers.

The role emphasizes collaboration across Design, Product Development, Sustainability, and IT, with a focus on risk management, data integrity, and continuous process improvements in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field with equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of relevant material development experience.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to collaborate across functions, geographies and levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead apparel material development discussions from development through commercialization.
• Collaborate with Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Quality, Sustainability, and suppliers.
• Identify sources for new material developments aligned with strategy and capacity.
• Guide vendors in translating design vision into material solutions.
• Monitor seasonal material developments and negotiate initial material pricing.

Skills

Material development

Cross-functional collaboration

Project leadership

Analytical thinking

English proficiency

Microsoft Office

Material data systems

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Material database

Product creation tools

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW

At adidas, we never launch a product unless we consider it perfect. Our product creation teams combine creativity, craftsmanship, innovation, and technical expertise to develop every product with purpose and precision.

As Senior Manager, Materials Development (Apparel), you will play a key role in the end-to-end development and availability of innovative apparel materials that support strategic design and marketing direction. You will ensure materials meet product creation timelines, target costs, sourcing strategies, quality standards, and commercial requirements.

You will lead material-related collaboration across Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Quality, Sustainability, Advanced Creation, suppliers, and other global partners. Through strong technical expertise and informed decision making, you will translate creative vision into commercially viable material solutions while proactively managing development risks.

This role is strategically important in advancing material innovation, consolidation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across the organization. You will represent Materials Development in cross-functional initiatives, strengthen global processes and systems, and provide guidance and mentorship to developing team members.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Material Development Leadership: Serve as a key contact and consultant for apparel material topics, leading cross-functional discussions and guiding material decisions from development through commercialization.
• Material Selection & Consolidation: Lead the material selection process and drive consolidation and material sharing opportunities to improve efficiency while supporting product, design, quality, and commercial requirements.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with Design, Product Development, Material Sourcing, Quality, Sustainability, Advanced Creation, horizontal Materials teams, and other partners to enable timely, fact-based material and product decisions.
• Supplier Development: Identify appropriate sources for new material developments in alignment with sourcing strategy, product allocation, and global supplier capabilities.
• Material Innovation: Guide Tier 2 fabric mills and trim suppliers in translating design vision and business needs into innovative, commercially viable material solutions.
• Seasonal Development: Initiate and monitor seasonal material developments with suppliers and internal partners, including initial material price negotiations and proto sampling yardage bookings during the development stage.
• Quality & Testing: Ensure selected materials, composites, and components are tested and released according to product creation timelines and adidas quality standards.
• Risk Management: Provide material-related risk analysis and lead proactive mitigation activities, including decisions regarding material or supplier changes when necessary.
• Material Data & Reporting: Ensure the availability and accuracy of material information in internal systems and develop reporting that improves visibility into material usage, performance, and decision making.
• Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement of global material development processes, initiatives, workflows, and material libraries to strengthen operational efficiency.
• Systems & Tools: Partner with horizontal teams and relevant IT owners to align material development systems, reporting tools, and processes with evolving business requirements.
• Calendar Management: Create, maintain, and communicate material development timelines and ensure key Materials milestones are represented within Product Creation Calendars.
• Financial Administration: Manage invoice handling associated with fabric development and prototype development bookings.
• Material Trends & Insights: Provide relevant research and insights on emerging material trends by gathering information from internal stakeholders, suppliers, industry fairs, material shows, and other external sources.
• Innovation & Sustainability: Partner with horizontal teams to translate innovation and sustainability concepts into actionable business plans across relevant Business Units and categories.
• Cross-Functional Representation: Represent the Materials Development team in global cross-functional initiatives, projects, and leadership-level discussions.
• Team Development: Support and guide junior team members and mentor new employees on adidas technical standards, material development processes, systems, and product creation requirements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• College or university degree in engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, textile engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in material development or a related field.
• Advanced knowledge of product creation and material development processes, with the ability to identify material-related issues and recommend viable alternatives.
• Strong communication, presentation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders across functions, geographies, and organizational levels.
• Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced product creation environment.
• Experience leading projects, process improvements, or organizational change across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and solution-oriented mindset with the ability to make informed material and supplier decisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant material database, administration, and reporting tools.
• English language proficiency required.
• Ability to travel for business as required.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience developing apparel materials such as synthetics, films, knits, trims, injected materials, or related material technologies.
• Experience working directly with Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers within a global product creation or sourcing environment.
• Experience with material innovation, sustainability initiatives, material consolidation, and supplier capability development.
• Experience working across global Creation Centers and geographically distributed cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with 3D product creation processes and digital material development tools.
• Experience mentoring or providing technical guidance to junior team members and new employees.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position follows adidas' hybrid work policy and is based in Los Angeles, California. 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 when work requires a high degree of collaboration or an in-person presentation. The role operates within a fast-paced, global product creation environment and requires business travel as needed.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

This Senior Manager role operates within the Materials Development organization and represents the team in cross-functional initiatives and leadership-level discussions. The position works closely with Marketing, Design, Sourcing, Quality, Product Development, Sustainability, Materials, Advanced Creation, Planning, Costing, IT, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, and Creation Centers across Asia, Europe, and North America. The role also provides guidance and mentorship to junior team members and new employees.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The anticipated low and high end of the base pay range for this position is $129,900 - $149,500. Actual salary will be based on various factors, such as a candidate's experience, qualifications, skills and competencies, proficiency for the role.

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

• 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.

Benefits are subject to applicable plan terms, eligibility requirements, policies, and formal plan documents.

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.