Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organisation
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 Development Apparel, you will lead the end-to-end development process for 
assigned medium complexity products from concept brief to production readiness. You will work 
in strong partnership with pattern and material experts as well as product marketing, design,
and suppliers.

Key Responsibilities: 
• 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.
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• 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.

Key Relationships: 
• Product Design
• Product Marketing
• Product Operations (Product Development, Materials Development, Pattern Making, Testing 
& Quality, Costing, Planning)
• Sourcing
• Tier 1 supplier
• Digital Creation

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 
• Advanced knowledge of material construction and related testing
• Advanced knowledge of wear and physical product testing 
• Advanced knowledge of production garment construction and manufacturing 
• Ability to fit a garment and comment to T1 on changes required 
• Advanced knowledge of costing and ability to negotiate as required
• Effective communication and negotiation skills
• Fluent in English (written and spoken) 
• Strong IT skills (MS Office) and ability to work with Product Data Management Systems
• Domestic and International Travel as required

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications: 
• University degree in clothing technology or manufacturing, or technical degree as apparel 
technician.
• Alternatively, combination of relevant education, experience, and training.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience in apparel product development