The Director Partner Program Trading will be instrumental in leading our live partner business, a portfolio of online wholesale key accounts, eCom pure players and marketplaces.

You support the development of the Partner Program (marketplace & dropship) business models, a key sales channel for our Digital Sales business in Europe.

You are an active part of the EU Digital Sales Leadership Team specifically responsible for commercial decision making as well as identifying and working through new business opportunities with existing partners in line with our European eCommerce strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive strategic direction of the Partner Program live business, including growth plans to achieve both Net Sales and Operating Profit progression
• Ensure a close liaison with the Europe eCommerce & Wholesale teams, to both avoid duplication & drive synergies in achieving respective digital wholesale targets at a holistic account level

• Lead for Partner Program Trading pillar optimizing commercial processes and results through creating a high-performing and inclusive team that oversees trading with our Alliance Key Accounts (AKAs), Cluster accounts, Specialist, Outlet and/or Marketplace partners
• Working closely with the Sr. Director Digital Sales to define the Partner Program category proposition in Europe including ranging, forecasting consolidation, reporting and active in season management.
• Support the Sr. Director Digital Sales in developing a trading and service framework across the Platform Trading team, establishing a detailed account management process with respect to all existing and future partners.
• Responsible for the accurate forecasting, account planning and in-season execution of Integrated Business Plans (IBP) covering the Partner Program business in Europe
• Responsible for knowing the consumer, category, channel, competitor and macro-economic country situation for partner program key account categories. This includes the European retail and eCom environment in distribution, share of buy, competitor ranges and pricing.

· Day-to-day responsibilities include:

• Create and drive a high performance culture across a team of Traders who will act as the lead account interface post account go-live for our Partner Program partners. Set clear expectations and targets, analysing account performance, holding Partner Program Trading managers accountable and giving appropriate and prompt feedback.
• Define the account strategy for current and future Partner Program accounts under your responsibility in close alignment with Wholesale key account management teams
• Represent live Partner Program accounts internally towards all functions, ensuring aligned and effective collaboration across the end-to-end Account Management process.
• Drive collaboration with Market Europe Business Units, Local Marketing and Sales to execute seasonal plans at account level to drive adidas market share gains.
• Own merchandising planning and buying alignment pre and in-season to ensure that eCom Product Merchandising teams are aligned to product and range priorities for the Partner Program.
• Support the definition and implementation of all Partner Program Trading reporting, bringing together Wholesale and eCom data to drive brand and commercial success.
• Own and define all reporting required from a Partner Program Trading perspective, working to bring together WHS and eCom data to drive and measure the commercial success of our accounts and range performance.
• Lead the in-season management and day-to-day operations of all live accounts under you and your team’s responsibility.
• Facilitate and own business planning and financial forecasting process for live Partner Program accounts.
• Pro-actively manage all business KPIs linked to order fulfilment and inventory management, e.g. net sales, standard margin, operating profit, cancellations etc.
• Partner closely with the Partner Acceleration, Partner Experience & Operations and eCommerce teams to facilitate the seamless set up and launch of new account business

Key Relationships:

• Partner Program Partner Acceleration, Analytics and Partner Experience & Operations teams
• Europe eCommerce Product Merchandising, Operations, Finance and Sales Planning & Analytics
• Europe Excess Inventory Management & Factory Outlet teams
• Global Digital Wholesale and Local Digital Sales teams
• Market & Local Wholesale sales teams & leadership
• Marketplace team and business/technical teams of partner accounts
• Europe Supply Chain Management team, IT, Finance and Legal teams

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extremely strong organizational and planning skills - flexibility to handle multiple tasks and business partners. Ability to work in deadline driven environment.
• Focused on achieving results & confident to take on accountability to deliver to expectations
• Experience in leading and developing inclusive teams - ensure high performance efficiency through effective motivation, training and development
• Strong PowerPoint skills required coupled with excellent communication skills.
• Advanced Excel skills and high proficiency in spreadsheet analyses. The ideal candidate must be self-motivated and passionate about deriving business insight from financial data, improving financial and business processes, and solving problems.
• Proven P&L Delivery and able to participate and confidently provide quantitative and qualitative input in investment review.
• Pro-active approach to work & a go-getter mindset with ability to engage and inspire direct and indirect teams
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively – proven ability to navigate and be effective in matrix organizations.
• Dynamic and adaptable – can quickly and effectively assimilate and drive change, quick to learn new systems and tools
• Understanding of retail merchandising, buying, product planning and/or sales and the product creation process is a plus
• Comfortable working in an international environment.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• University degree in BA / BS in Business, Finance, Economics or related field is preferred
• 8-10 years professional experience in digital/eCommerce is required, with business development, account management, sales & financial planning preferred
• Proven experience in driving sales and having worked within or with large scale, international key accounts on a local level
• Experience working in the Sporting Goods & Fashion industry preferable, or relatable industries FMCG 
• 3+ years Management experience
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required; at least one other European language would be beneficial.