Senior Materials Development Lead, Apparel

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

Job summary

Adidas in Los Angeles, CA, is seeking a Senior Manager, Materials Development (Apparel) to lead end-to-end development and availability of innovative apparel materials. You will ensure materials meet timelines, target costs, sourcing strategies, quality, and commercial requirements.

You will mentor teams, drive process improvements, and represent Materials Development in global initiatives while collaborating with Design, Sourcing, Quality, Sustainability, and IT partners.

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.

Responsibilities

• Material Development Leadership: serve as a key contact and consultant for apparel material topics, guiding decisions from development through commercialization.
• Material Selection & Consolidation: lead the material selection process and consolidate materials for efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: collaborate with Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Quality, Sustainability, and other teams to enable timely decisions.
• Supplier Development: identify sources for new material developments aligned with sourcing strategy.
• Material Innovation: guide Tier 2 mills and trim suppliers to translate design needs into viable material solutions.
• Seasonal Development: monitor seasonal material developments with suppliers and internal partners.

Skills

Material development expertise

Cross-functional leadership

Communication skills

Project leadership

Sourcing collaboration

English proficiency

Education

Engineering or Materials Science degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Material database software

Job description

Adidas in Los Angeles, CA, is seeking a Senior Manager, Materials Development (Apparel) to lead end-to-end development and availability of innovative apparel materials. You will ensure materials meet timelines, target costs, sourcing strategies, quality, and commercial requirements.

You will mentor teams, drive process improvements, and represent Materials Development in global initiatives while collaborating with Design, Sourcing, Quality, Sustainability, and IT partners.