adidas is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all ages, genders (incl. gender identity), ethnic and social backgrounds, nationalities, sexual orientations, religions and beliefs, and those with apparent or non-apparent disabilities*. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees.
 
*We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Purpose:  

Manage and direct the Footwear Development Sports Performance team clearly understanding its capability, project workload and interaction with the Footwear Marketing division, Design and other departments as necessary. Elevate the overall expertise of the group by providing direction for development with clear short term and long-term objectives and in accordance with adidas Vision.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure the Footwear Development team is fully partnered up with their counterparts in Marketing and Design through efficient product teams to establish project lists, critical milestone evaluations, appropriate resourcing and dedicated focus to the needs of the BUG and especially the Footwear division.

• Via constant interaction with Sourcing’s Management, understand and address the major development and commercialization issues that arise in each country.

• Enhance the working relationship between Marketing, Design and Development and Innovation by establishing a respectful and efficient rapport with the respective team members in each department

• Work to customize product creation processes and activities to service the specific needs of the Marketing division most efficiently.

• Provide direction and discipline necessary to support an organized, effective and focused organization.
• Establish a” working” product execution and evaluation process resulting in timely, accurate and conclusive direction from project inception through commercialization.
• Create the standard specifications for new products (through complete and detailed technical packages) and ensure the ability to meet this standard throughout the department.
• Ensure product is cost engineered to meet target FOB’s while maintaining integrity in quality and performance.

• Drive the initial stage of the product allocation for each season of development through alignment with the company’s sourcing strategy and close cooperation with Far East management.

• Guide the Footwear Development group and team up with the partner function of footwear quality to redefine areas of interaction and shared activities for quality enhancements to adidas products.
• Commercialize innovative high performance concepts into inline range and deliver constant newness

• Cooperate with Planning and Forecasting to balance the criteria for product confirmation with the need for product availability to the customer (CPR’s)

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Computer literacy (Microsoft Office / e-mail management)
• Presentation skills
• Fluent English; German an advantage

• 10 years minimum work experience in the athletic footwear industry, specializing in product development, design and/or marketing. Proven record of leadership and accomplishment

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications: 

• Undergraduate university degree preferred
• Technical training in footwear engineering and product development preferred; background in other phases of the footwear business (Marketing, Operations, other) may be an acceptable substitute for technical training
• Extensive Management Experience