Technical Manager Footwear Prototyping

PURPOSE 

As a member of the adidas Creative Studios team, you will partner with designers, innovation teams, and product developers to bring concepts to life through expert footwear pattern making and hands-on prototyping .

This is not a traditional footwear design role. We are looking for a pattern-making expert with deep knowledge of footwear construction, materials, fit, and prototype development who can create hand or digital patterns and build prototypes using cutting, sewing, lasting, sanding, and other construction techniques.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Construct and assemble footwear samples and prototypes using various methods, processes, materials, and machinery.
• Manage a portfolio of projects in all creation phases; from prototype pattern making, prototype construction and assembly, to model and mold making.

• Present prototype method of make ideation to wider team in digital presentation format.
• Use hands on making knowledge to provide material selection for prototypes.
• Archive all prototypes, making tools and materials.
• Maintain record of all materials used on projects.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of shoemaking process required.
• Hand pattern making or digital pattern making experience.
• Explore post prototype processes / prototype surface design.
• Ability to solve practical problems and manage a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to work with solvents, chemicals, polyurethane, epoxy, and silicone.
• Ability to identify design issues and offer solutions to improve functionality and manufacturability of product.
• Ability to work independently under a deadline on several projects simultaneously with minimal input.
• Ability to problem solve and troubleshoot errors with mechanical equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work in a shop environment and be comfortable working with industrial machinery.
• Ability to speak effectively and make presentations before small groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Jevero and Microsoft Office skills.
• At adidas, employees on the Creative Studios team are expected to work in the office Monday through Friday, five days per week.

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE/MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associates degree in related field and/or equivalent high school diploma.
• 5+ years of experience in shoemaking or related field.

• Experience working in a shop environment using a variety of tools and machinery.

• 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.
• 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.
• This position requires a high degree of in-person collaboration, in-office attendance is required Monday through Friday. The working location of this position is Portland, Oregon.
• Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English.