SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER, FOOTBALL AND DUGOUT UNIFORMS & APPAREL

Area                                                                            adidas brands

Department                                                                US Sports

Direct Reporting Line                                                 Senior Director, US SPORTS

Indirect/secondary reporting line                             -

Subsidiary/country                                                    US

Location                                                                      Portland

GSMS Grade                                                                M3

Number of Personnel Managed                                2

Cost Center/Budget and/or Revenue Responsibility -

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION

Identify through sport and consumer insights business opportunities within the US Sports Space

Heavily influence category direction and drive its implementation

Build strategies to win with consumer and market share

Steer a cross-functional product creation team to deliver the category vision

Lead and develop the category team

Be the consumer and product expert

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create all on-field uniforms for our Football and Dugout NCAA and key Grassroots partners
• Drive credibility through sport inspired culture wear
• Implement strategic category and range direction that meet the needs of our consumers as well as support the BU’s financial and growth objectives
• Ability to create and implement short- and long-term product and category strategies
• Manage a team and develop their functional and social skills using available resources to create a top performing team
• Engage with North American product merchandising and Go To Market organization to interpret and drive localized opportunities.
• Drive international growth strategy and cross market alignment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional groups to ensure creation of industry leading products. Identify new business opportunities to drive innovation and commerciality with a range for all athletes from youth to pro
• Have full understanding of the product creation process to drive it forward
• Be a role model for all team members in regard to strategic direction and the product creation process
• Analyse and report category business performance to ensure achievement of category KPIs
• Positively represent the category both internally and externally  
• Work with the Merchandising, Sales, Brand Marketing and Sports Marketing teams throughout the season to define strategic marketing direction
• Lead consumer insight groups to understand trends and gain valuable product insights

AUTHORITIES

• Personnel managed – yes            Budget managed – no                            

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Steer a strong relationship and ensure constant dialogue/feedback with
  • US Sports Business Unit Cross-functional team (Design, Development, Merchandising, Sports Marketing, Materials, Costing, Planning)
  • Global business units
  • NCAA Coaches and Leadership
  • Markets, local business units, local merchandising leads and relevant key retailers and Universities

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Manage a team to create industry leading products
• Inspire, coach and lead; set framework for performance and growth
• Strong collaboration skills
• In-depth knowledge of respective product category and consumer
• Team builder with ability to influence others
• Ability to intake multiple sources of information/briefs and confidence and acumen to act decisively and with speed
• Advanced analytical skills, solution driven and result oriented, strong business orientation
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Lateral thinking and challenge status quo
• Profound consumer, market and retail knowledge especially in regard to different needs of different countries/ regions
• Execute change management
• Cooperate effectively to maintain and develop trustful relationships
• Ability to travel
• Passion for sports

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• College degree, preferably in marketing/business /textile/fashion
• Minimum of 5 years Product Marketing experience with APP, FTW , ACC or comparable background
• Strong, proven leadership skills
• Experience in trade or sales is helpful
• Fluent in English
• PC skills (MS Office programs)