Pattern Engineer Apparel jobs at Adidas in Poland, Warsaw

: CCS /Future City
Direct Reporting LineSenior Director, CCS APP
Indirect/secondary reporting linen.a.
: China


Number of Personnel Managedsee org. chart

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

As a Future City (FCC) APP Lead Designer, you will be responsible for driving apparel product design for Adidas in China’s T3–T7 markets. You will also need to manage external design teams, ensuring that the designs align with the brand’s standards while addressing the specific needs of this market segment; meanwhile, supporting the Line Manager in developing design strategies and executing them during the design process. Additionally, FCC requires a huge focus on local market trends, optimize design workflows, and contribute to the creation of commercially competitive and brand-consistent products.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design of apparel products for T3–T7 markets, ensuring alignment in colour, materials, fit, and graphics with both market needs and brand standards.
• Manage and coordinate external designers to ensure high-quality, timely, and consistent design output.
• Analyse local market trends, consumer needs, and competitor activities, translating insights into design concepts.
• Oversee the complete creative process, identifying industry trends in colour, materials, and graphics, and influence merchandising and assortment strategies
• Collaborate with the Design Director and Product Marketing teams to implement design strategies and product plans.
• Execute design tasks in compliance with Adidas brand standards and legal regulations.
• Work closely with the Product Development team to ensure feasibility and efficiency in design implementation.
• Liaise with suppliers and external resources to support product development and production processes.
• Lead and mentor the design team both creatively and organizationally, fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration
• Manage all stages of the design workflow, from concept generation to sample development, ensuring on-time delivery of commercially viable products.
• Adjust design directions or optimize existing designs based on feedback and market response.Key Stakeholders
• Product Marketing (PM)
• Product Development (DA)
• Business Unit (BU)
• Designer
• Senior Design Director
• External Resources
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Fashion Design or a related field.
• At least 5-8 years of experience in apparel design, preferably in mass-market or local market-focused design.
• Strong understanding of the consumer needs and design trends specific to China’s T3–T7 markets.
• Solid people management and leadership skills to hire, develop, and inspire the design team
• Prior experience managing external designers or small design teams is a plus.
• Familiarity with functional and sportswear design processes and commonly used materials (e.g., polyester, cotton, print techniques).
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and external resources and clearly articulate design concepts and project requirements.
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop) and office tools (e.g., MS Office).
• Strong problem-solving and time-management skills, with the ability to adapt to changes and complete tasks efficiently.
• Fluency in Mandarin/English is preferred.

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATIONWe’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 Pattern Engineer Apparel, you will drive the 2D and 3D pattern creation process for innovative and complex products in strong partnership with marketing, design, product development and suppliers. You will support the business unit’s strategy and global framework by driving processes, standards and methodologies in collaboration with the cross-functional team to achieve the goals and a consistent brand identity through quality, fit, speed and value for the business units’ products. You will implement company’s strategic business and systems direction into digital through product creation and technical infrastructure for apparel. You will train and advise product development teams and Tier 1 suppliers on the 2D and 3D pattern creation process.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and drive the basic pattern process and selection to understand future business needs and determine future basic pattern requirements.
• Support the global basic pattern process with special focus on fit consistency.
• Evaluate, create, and implement standard grading rules to ensure consistency in fit and contributes actively in terms of fit/general pattern guidelines.
• Develop new basic and/or new model patterns, drive the pattern creation 2D and 3D with cross-functional partners based on market requirements; maintain the information in the product creation system and ensure that new patterns are wear tested as needed.
• In collaboration with all global pattern teams consolidate basic patterns across all business units, ensure aligned needs of all creation centers and be a contact for all basic pattern related topics for assigned category.
• Drive new solutions to reach creative pattern goals, by using new methods and systems and/or new constructions
• Understand and consider relationship between pattern/material properties & usage/yields during pattern creation to ensure best fit and best margin.
• Support digital pattern projects, including tool development and smart solutions to enable the future of digital creation.
• Manage to develop and implement processes and frameworks.
• Advise and train marketing, design and product developement on pattern and fit updates and problem-solving.
• Monitor performance, train and advise on pattern creation and grading for area of responsibility.
• Develop training plans and manuals for the global pattern and product development teams in collaboration with the horizontal pattern team (i.e., how to measure manual).
• Mentor junior team members in 2D and 3D pattern making and fit.
• Create virtual prototypes to increase speed and efficiency of the product creation process.
• Manage the testing of new patterns and garment constructions in cooperation with the sample studio and testing team if applicable.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Creation Center – Marketing, Design, Product Development, Materials Development
• Liaison Office/Operations Center – Merchandiser, Tech Service
• Tier 1 supplier – Merchandising and Patternmaking
• Fit & Wear Testing department, innovation teams
• External CAD and Fit partners

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Advanced knowledge in pattern creation and grading with the ability to provide effective, and cost-efficient pattern solutions and an understanding of apparel construction, material construction and properties related to fit
• Ability to interpret and evaluate designs on model level regarding pattern execution/engineering and related testing
• Advanced knowledge of garment construction, manufacturing and production
• Strong team player/communicator with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects under multiple deadlines
• Ability to work independently under minimal guidance on several projects simultaneously whilst adhering to a specified deadline
• Ability to effectively present information and trainings in one-on-one and large group situations to vendors, designers, and other employees of the organization
• Ability to work with diverse groups, motivate or mentor others and a proven skill at problem solving and innovation
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English
• Functional project management experience
• Advanced skills in Gerber or similar CAD programs
• Advanced knowledge in CLO 3D or similar 3D programs is an advantage
• Advanced IT skills in MS Office, Adobe applications and ability to work with Product Data Management Systems
• Ability to travel, domestic or international, as required (approx. twice a year)

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Technical college/fashion school/university degree in pattern making / grading, “Meisterbrief” or equivalent education
• Minimum of 2 years related work experience in apparel pattern engineering

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.
• 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.

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANIZATION

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 Developer Apparel, you will (1) drive the end-to-end development process for assigned products from concept brief to production readiness and (2) assist in driving the development of medium complexity products. 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.
• Assist in providing 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.
• 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 are adhered to adidas standards with T1 as needed.
• 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, sustainability, and on-time SMS delivery) for assigned articles/product

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

• Basic knowledge of material construction and related testing
• Basic knowledge of wear and physical product testing
• Basic knowledge of production garment construction and manufacturing
• Ability to fit a garment and comment to T1 on changes required
• Basic knowledge of costing and ability to negotiate as required
• Effective communication and negotiation skills
• English language proficiency required (reading and writing)
• 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
• First practical experience through internships or work experience required