Senior Manager, Apparel Product Development

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Oregon.

📋 Description

• Oversee the implementation of customized sports uniforms and apparel development for designated adidas accounts, programs, and product categories.

• Direct the planning and execution from client onboarding and concept realization through sampling, approvals, production readiness, and commercialization.

• Manage multiple simultaneous development projects, identifying risks while adjusting priorities, timelines, or resources as needed.

• Convert adidas requirements into actionable development plans, timelines, resource allocations, technical specifications, and production deliverables.

• Ensure that development initiatives align with cost, margin, quality, performance, and client service objectives.

• Provide technical expertise on uniforms, garment construction, fit, materials, decoration techniques, manufacturing feasibility, quality, and commercialization.

• Foster collaboration among Technical Design, Pattern, Artwork, Costing, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, commercial teams, and adidas stakeholders.

• Act as the primary Product Development contact for assigned adidas stakeholders.

• Collaborate with internal teams and manufacturing partners to transition concepts and prototypes into mass production.

• Track development costs, margin performance, resource needs, and financial risks.

• Develop and refine product development processes, tools, documentation, and best practices.

• Monitor KPIs and reporting for delivery, quality, productivity, cost, capacity, and client service standards.

• Identify risks, investigate quality concerns, analyze root causes, and lead corrective measures.

• Ensure products comply with adidas quality, performance, compliance, and brand standards.

• Present project updates, risk evaluations, capacity insights, and business recommendations to leadership.

• Assist in development planning, resource strategies, workforce planning, and organizational initiatives.

• Lead, mentor, and nurture the Product Development team members.

• Set team priorities and performance expectations; provide coaching, feedback, and professional growth opportunities.

• Assist in succession planning, hiring recommendations, retention initiatives, and talent development efforts.

• Serve as the escalation point for product development challenges at adidas.

⛳️ Requirements

• In-depth understanding of apparel product development processes from client intake and concept realization to commercialization and production readiness.

• Extensive knowledge of custom sports uniforms, technical apparel, garment construction, fit, fabrics, trims, decoration techniques, costing, manufacturing processes, and production requirements.

• Proven ability to lead and cultivate high-performing teams in a dynamic, client-oriented environment.

• Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills, with the capability to manage multiple complex development projects simultaneously.

• Demonstrated proficiency in managing strategic client or brand relationships, engaging with complex external stakeholders, and driving cross-functional collaboration without direct authority.

• Strong business acumen with expertise in cost management, margin analysis, budgeting, productivity measurement, forecasting, and commercialization processes.

• Ability to convert client requirements into actionable product development plans, technical deliverables, resource priorities, and operational actions.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, PLM systems, project management, and workflow tools; experience with ClickUp is preferred.

• Familiarity with global brand standards, structured client approval processes, and strategic account development programs is preferred.

• Proven capability to utilize operational data to identify risks, enhance processes, and scale development capacities.

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred.

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion, Product Development, Business Administration, Project Management, Engineering, or a related field is preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in apparel development, product development, technical apparel, manufacturing, or related fields.

• At least 3 years of experience in people leadership with responsibilities including coaching, performance management, and employee development.

• Experience managing complex, high-volume product development initiatives for major brands, strategic clients, or licensed partners.

• Background in custom sports uniforms, team sports apparel, or technical performance apparel is preferred.

• Experience with financial planning, cost management, forecasting, and operational performance reporting.

• Experience collaborating with manufacturing or supply chain operations in Central or North America is preferred.

• Familiarity with PLM, OMS, AS400, and project management systems is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits

• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities

• Wellbeing Program

• 401(k) plan with company matching

• Company-paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability

• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays

• Varsity Brands Ownership Program

• Employee Resource Groups

• Access to Financial Coaching and member-owned Credit Union

• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities

• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!