Manager Materials Development

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization

The Manager, Materials Development develops, sources and commercializes materials for the global adidas Golf Accessories range, with primary focus on accessories and trim, golf bags, gloves and related products. The role ensures materials meet product intent, performance, quality, cost, sustainability, compliance and timing requirements.

The role adds capacity to the established Carlsbad Materials Development capability and works as part of the Accessories creation team with Product Marketing, Design, Product Development, Sourcing, suppliers and Product Development & Sourcing partners.

Key Responsibilities

Materials Development and Commercialization

• Translate product and design briefs into clear material requirements for assigned Accessories products.
• Identify, source, develop and commercialize textiles, synthetics, leathers, foams, linings, reinforcements, coatings, trims and other relevant materials.
• Manage material development from concept and sampling through testing, approval, costing, color confirmation and production readiness.
• Maintain accurate material specifications, supplier information, test results, approvals and system data.
• Ensure material deliverables meet seasonal calendar and product creation milestones.

Performance, Quality and Compliance

• Define required material performance in partnership with Design, Product Development, Quality and testing partners.
• Coordinate laboratory and field testing for durability, abrasion, water resistance, colorfastness, grip, hand feel, weight and other product-relevant properties.
• Resolve material quality, color, cost, lead-time and availability issues with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Ensure materials comply with adidas standards, restricted substances requirements and applicable legal and sustainability expectations.
• Support root-cause analysis and corrective action for material failures or production issues.

Supplier, Cost and Innovation Partnership

• Build productive relationships with nominated suppliers, mills, tanneries, component partners and Sourcing.
• Provide cost and lead-time insight early in the creation process and recommend alternatives that protect product intent and margin.
• Identify new material technologies and supplier capabilities relevant to golf bags, gloves and Accessories.
• Partner with the broader Materials Development and PD&S organization to align standards, leverage shared capabilities and avoid duplication.

Decision Scope and Accountability

• Owns material recommendations, specifications, development tracking and readiness for assigned Accessories products.
• Accountable for material performance, quality, compliance, cost visibility, data accuracy and on-time approvals.
• Escalates material risks with significant product, financial, compliance, quality or timeline implications.

Key Relationships

Core Partners

• Senior Director Product Operations and Carlsbad Materials Development team
• Accessories Product Marketing, Design and Product Development
• Sourcing, Costing, Quality and Testing

Broader Network

• Product Development & Sourcing materials teams
• Suppliers, mills, tanneries and component partners
• Sustainability, Legal and Compliance partners

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong materials development knowledge across textiles, synthetics, leathers, foams, coatings, trims or related soft-goods materials.
• Understanding of material testing, quality, color, costing, lead times and commercialization.
• Ability to read product briefs and translate design intent into measurable material requirements.
• Strong supplier communication, problem solving and project management.
• Accurate technical documentation and product-system discipline.
• Knowledge of bags, gloves or accessories manufacturing preferred.

Requisite Education & Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• University degree in Materials Science, Textile Engineering, Product Development or a related field, or equivalent technical experience.
• 4+ years of relevant materials development, sourcing, testing or commercialization experience.
• Experience working with suppliers and cross-functional product creation teams.
• Experience with bags, gloves, footwear, apparel, equipment or related soft goods preferred.
• Ability to travel to suppliers and creation partners as required.
• Fluent English, written and spoken.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at adidas means championing individual uniqueness and cultivating a culture of belonging in which everyone can create at their best. We embrace diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and seek to create a workforce that reflects our consumers and communities.​
• adidas offers robust and progressive medical, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, adoption, with surrogate and fertility support, short and long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D insurance, which can be supplemented with employee-paid coverage. Employees are able to enroll in adidas’ 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match. Full-time employees are eligible for education assistance and generous Leave policies including 12 weeks of paid parental leave. ​
• Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance. Employees accrue prorated flexible time off in the amount .4388 hours per day that increases with years of service, twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years.
• The anticipated low and high end of the base pay range for this position is $99,500 - $120,500. Actual salary will be based on various factors, such as a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills and competencies, proficiency for the role.​
• At adidas we offer a Hybrid work policy which requires attendance in the office Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Friday each week. For work requiring a high degree of collaboration or an in-person presentation, in-office attendance is required even on Friday. The working location of this position is Carlsbad, California.​
• Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English.

adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an equal opportunity employer.