Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

Act as Strategic Business Partner, Advisor and Leader to the organization in all Product Safety related topics. Ensure that adidas entities are fully aware of relevant laws, standards, norms and policies related to product safety and conformity. Service and support product management, development and sourcing teams in complying with applicable product safety standards. Lead and coordinate the Product Safety task force as being critical for effective risk & compliance management.

Key responsibilities:

• Track and observe the regulatory environment related to chemical/mechanical safety of products and packaging applicable for adidas product categories and services
• Closely liaise with the Legal Department, Marketing BUs, Global/Brand Operations, Quality and Technical Services teams, Social & Environmental Affairs and Governmental Affairs to develop and update corporate policies and operating procedures related to Product Safety
• Lead and supervise the Product Safety managers from other regions to ensure utmost consistency in the roll-out and application of Product Safety standards
• Communicate relevant standards, requirements and policies to internal departments for further distribution to suppliers
• Act as help desk for in-house departments in case of technical questions regarding the correct application of Product Safety standards
• Support sourcing departments (technical services/quality) in establishing and maintaining systems for tracking supplier compliance with standards
• Drive an ethics and compliance culture and ensure all related matters are appropriately handled including all aspects of communication, education, and implementation of the Compliance program
• Lead the development and conduction of educational programs and materials as appropriate in relevant areas
• Ensure high employee engagement at every level through effective motivation, coaching, training, and development of personnel in the team

Key relationships:

• Reports to the VP Global Legal Innovation
• Interacts internally with all levels of organization
• Close relationship with Global Operations Teams and Brands Teams
• ASL Global Sourcing teams especially Technical Services and Quality departments from all divisions
• Business entities with own production creation and sourcing activities
• Interacts and work with Global Legal department, Licensing and Corporate Communications
• Industry practitioners such as other brand representatives as well as third parties
• External stakeholders such as NGOs, Government bodies, International Institutions and outside counsel

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strategic thinker with confidence and speed in execution
• Capable of working collaboratively across teams and functions
• Ability to coach, guide, manage and develop a team
• Must have the ability to interact at the highest levels of management, the Global Legal function and external stakeholders
• Mature knowledge in applicable Product Safety standards and norms, testing procedures
• Strong background in Product Safety and Consumer Protection law
• Good understanding in product development, supply chain management processes
• An acute sense of legal business management and administration with an ability to make practical evaluations of risk
• Ability to work independently and manage and prioritize substantial and diverse workload
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.  Must be fluent in English.
• Enthusiastic and represents the adidas value of integrity.
• Strong team player.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong background in technical sciences e.g. product engineering/material science
• 10+ years of work experiences in Product Safety/conformity area for an international company operating in the consumer goods industry
• +5 years of people management experience preferred