Senior Lead - Apparel Development

Overview

As a pivotal contributor within the global apparel organization, your role entails serving as both a technical architect and strategic developer. Your impact transcends individual product execution, focusing on the establishment of engineering standards, technical roadmaps, and operational frameworks that facilitate scalability. You bridge the gap between visionary design and commercial reality, blending an entrepreneurial spirit with the necessary structural discipline for achieving global excellence. Your expertise will also position you as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and a mentor to the broader development community.

Your Mission

• Lead the development of intricate technical apparel styles and seasonal projects, ensuring exceptional performance, durability, and fit consistency.
• Drive technical solutions optimized for high-performance environments, accounting for durability during high-intensity movement and repeated laundering.
• Collaborate closely with Design to convert creative concepts into production-ready Tech Packs that uphold visual identity while achieving elite performance standards.
• Oversee fit accuracy, grading, and size consistency across premium product lines, ensuring precision for both global consumer and professional markets.
• Partner with Materials and Innovation to develop advanced constructions, including moisture management systems and cutting-edge ventilation mapping.
• Act as a technical authority on prominent product launches, managing risks, timelines, and aligning stakeholders effectively.
• Engage directly with global manufacturing partners to ensure durability and quality at scale for large-volume programs.
• Advise on seasonal cost management, considering materials, construction methods, and vendor suitability without compromising quality or performance.
• Lead hands-on cost engineering initiatives to support decisions balancing performance with margin targets and scalability.
• Maintain data integrity within PLM, ensuring accurate communication and traceability throughout the development process.
• Mentor Junior and Mid-Level Developers within the category, imparting knowledge on best construction and development practices.
• Stay informed about industry innovations related to team apparel systems, including sustainable material solutions and lightweight fabrics.

Your Story

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Apparel Engineering, Textile Technology, or a related field with an entrepreneurial approach.
• 12+ years of apparel development experience with a proven track record in managing complex, high-performance categories at a leading global sports or outdoor brand.
• Recognized expertise in functional garment engineering, advanced textile mechanics, and specialized construction methods.
• Proven ability to enhance garment systems through optimized PLM workflows and Digital Product Creation integration.
• Exceptional communication skills capable of translating intricate technical risks into strategic business insights.
• Experience in managing multiple seasonal product drops aligned to competitive schedules.
• Proven experience with diverse international vendor management and a willingness to travel for technical development and production excellence.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in additional languages is advantageous.

About the Team

We are a collaborative team driven by creativity and scientific rigor, dedicated to transforming innovative ideas into viable prototypes, ultimately commercializing them into high-performance products available globally. We prioritize quality, aesthetics, and functionality throughout our two seasonal apparel collections and various fashion collaborations. Our cross-functional teams encompass top experts in Development, Design, Materials, Innovation, Sourcing, Testing, and Product Management, all aimed at delivering outstanding sportswear products.