adidas is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all ages, genders (incl. gender identity), ethnic and social backgrounds, nationalities, sexual orientations, religions and beliefs, and those with apparent or non-apparent disabilities*. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees.
 
*We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Purpose: 

We’ll never launch a product unless we consider it perfect. Our product development teams create every shirt, every shoe and every piece of equipment for thousands of athletes and fashion lovers as if it was one of a kind. And it truly is, as they weave their passion into every single product. But translating designs, drawings and renderings into real products requires a lot of decision making.

As Manager Technical Development Apparel, you will lead the end-to-end development process for assigned medium complexity products from concept brief to production readiness. In addition, you will drive the 2D and 3D pattern creation process for innovative and complex products in strong partnership with marketing, design, product development and suppliers.

Key Responsibilities:

Apparel Development (~70%)

• Take accountability for the entire apparel development management process for assigned products, with an emphasis on product integrity, product engineering and timely completion of all tasks in accordance with the corporate operating calendar. Apply sport-specific understanding to enhance product performance.
• Manage fit approval and size specification process, lead fitting meeting and take decisions on workmanship and construction.
• Provide technical solutions by analyzing designs for manufacturability, production and material properties which address desired function and market appeal.
• Manage handover of design pack to T1 to ensure that all technical information provided to T1 is complete.
• Act as technical expert and guide/consult design and product marketing on T1 manufacturing efficiency suggestions. Manage comments to T1.
• Research innovation from market or suppliers regarding garment construction, pattern, fit, embellishment, and trims. Partner with Innovation, Sourcing, Tier-1 suppliers to implement into product creation.
• Review, validate and approve T1 costing information to ensure products are engineered in accordance with cost targets throughout the entire creation process. Secure initial FOB cost quotes and follow-up price adjustments. Ensure final costs adhere to adidas costing standard.
• Ensure that all fabrics, trims, colors, processes, and development samples are fully tested to ensure adherence to adidas’ quality and testing standards.
• Manage quality and process escalations with senior manager as needed.
• If required, review size sets for accuracy of measurements and merchantability of complete size range for fit.
• Review and sign off sealing sample with complete AD including all related documents prior to buy ready dates.
• Ensure full conformity to published policies to ensure a final legal AD for final product.
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of data by continuously updating the system.
• Responsible for achieving specific KPIs (e.g., on-time buy ready, target FOB, margins, sustainability, and on-time SMS delivery, CR2 finalization) for assigned articles/product.
• Live and foster a knowledge sharing culture, and mentor junior team members.
• Support cross-functional projects as required.

Apparel Pattern Engineering (~30%)

• Lead and drive the basic pattern process and selection to understand future business needs and determine future basic pattern requirements.
• Support the global basic pattern process with special focus on fit consistency.
• Evaluate, create, and implement standard grading rules to ensure consistency in fit and contributes actively in terms of fit/general pattern guidelines.
• Develop new basic and/or new model patterns, drive the pattern creation 2D and 3D with cross-functional partners based on market requirements; maintain the information in the product creation system and ensure that new patterns are wear tested as needed.
• In collaboration with all global pattern teams consolidate basic patterns across all business units, ensure aligned needs of all creation centers and be a contact for all basic pattern related topics for assigned category.
• Drive new solutions to reach creative pattern goals, by using new methods and systems and/or new constructions
• Understand and consider relationship between pattern/material properties & usage/yields during pattern creation to ensure best fit and best margin.
• Support digital pattern projects, including tool development and smart solutions to enable the future of digital creation.
• Manage to develop and implement processes and frameworks.
• Advise and train marketing, design and product developement on pattern and fit updates and problem-solving.
• Monitor performance, train and advise on pattern creation and grading for area of responsibility.
• Develop training plans and manuals for the global pattern and product development teams in collaboration with the horizontal pattern team (i.e., how to measure manual).
• Mentor junior team members in 2D and 3D pattern making and fit.
• Create virtual prototypes to increase speed and efficiency of the product creation process.
• Manage the testing of new patterns and garment constructions in cooperation with the sample studio and testing team if applicable.

Key Relationships:

• Yohji Yamamoto Pattern/ Design team
• Creation Center – Marketing, Design, Product Development, Materials Development
• Liaison Office/Operations Center – Merchandiser, Tech Service
• Tier 1 supplier – Merchandising and Patternmaking
• External CAD and Fit partners

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge in pattern creation and grading with the ability to provide effective, and cost-efficient pattern solutions and an understanding of apparel construction, material construction and properties related to fit
• Ability to interpret and evaluate designs on model level regarding pattern execution/engineering and related testing
• Advanced knowledge of garment construction, manufacturing and production
• Strong team player/communicator with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects under multiple deadlines
• Ability to work independently under minimal guidance on several projects simultaneously whilst adhering to a specified deadline
• Ability to effectively present information and trainings in one-on-one and large group situations to vendors, designers, and other employees of the organization
• Ability to work with diverse groups, motivate or mentor others and a proven skill at problem solving and innovation
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English
• Functional project management experience
• Advanced skills in Gerber or similar CAD programs
• Advanced knowledge in CLO 3D or similar 3D programs is an advantage
• Advanced IT skills in MS Office, Adobe applications and ability to work with Product Data Management Systems
• Ability to travel, domestic or international, as required (approx. twice a year)

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• Technical college/fashion school/university degree in pattern making / grading, “Meisterbrief” or equivalent education
• Minimum of 2 years related work experience in apparel pattern engineering