Apparel Development Manager

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization

Responsible for managing the product development process for assigned styles from seasonal kick off through to commercialization. They collaborate with internal teams and suppliers to provide effective transition from brief/design through to development "buy-ready" commercialisation, on time, within the agreed margin parameter and at the required quality standards.

There are two (2) roles available for this requisition. Candidates may be considered for either team based on business needs, experience, and interests.

This role supports the development of Major League Soccer (MLS) apparel, helping bring authentic performance and fan products from concept to market. The team works closely with Design, Product Marketing, Sourcing, and Manufacturing partners to ensure products meet quality, fit, performance, and timeline expectations. The role has a strong focus on garment embellishments and trim placement, requiring an understanding of garment construction, product development processes, and testing standards.

Success in this position requires strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast‑paced environment. Experience with 3D product creation tools, such as CLO 3D, is a plus.

This role supports the development of American football uniforms and may also contribute to Dugout uniforms and teamwear programs. The team is responsible for delivering high‑performance products that meet the demands of athletes while maintaining adidas quality and innovation standards. The position requires strong technical knowledge of garment construction and the ability to work cross‑functionally with Design, Product Marketing, Sourcing, Pattern Making, and Testing teams.

Candidates who enjoy problem‑solving, communication, and collaborating across multiple stakeholders will thrive in this role. Garment testing and wear‑testing knowledge is a plus.

• Communicate all necessary information to Marketing, Design, Suppliers and LO/OC to ensure the effective and efficient creation of outstanding product
• Ensure target price and product designs are aligned through predictive costing. Review, validate and approve T1 costing information throughout the entire creation process. Ensure compliance to agreed standards. Negotiate with T1 as needed
• Manage handover from design to T1 to ensure that all information provided to T1 is complete. Manage T1 feedback to design and marketing and incorporate where quality or cost can be improved without sacrificing product aesthetics
• Ensures timely and accurate data entry by T1 regarding AD/BOM, costing or other data as required at calendar milestones
• Evaluate all prototypes for compliance with AD, manage fit approval/size specification, approval of color, accessories and materials. Manage comments to T1
• Ensure that all materials and accessories as well as prototypes are tested and adhere to adidas quality, safety and A01 standards. Manage quality exceptions with senior management as needed
• If required, review size sets for accuracy of measurements and merchantability of complete size range including logo placement and fit. (LO/OC to approve size sets not requested/approved by CC after buy ready release)
• 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
• Research innovation from market or supply chain as far as garment construction, pattern/fit, embellishment, trims. Work cross functionally with marketing and Design teams, Quality and Testing, Sourcing and T1/T2 to implement into product creation

• Design
• Marketing
• PD&S (Materials, Costing, Pattern and Testing and Quality)
• T1 / T2-Merchandising, Costing and Pattern
• LO/OC Merchandising, costing, Testing and Quality
• Global Supply Planning

• Knowledge of material construction and related testing
• Knowledge of wear and physical…