Technical Project Manager Materials Footwear Innovation

Area:                                                                                                   Brand adidas

Department:                                                                                     adidas Innovation

Direct Reporting Line:                                                                   Sr Manager Innovation (PFRP)

Indirect/secondary reporting line:                                             Sr Manager Materials Footwear

Subsidiary/country:                                                                        USA

Location:                                                                                            Portland                                     

GSMS Grade:                                                                                     M4

Number of Personnel Managed:                                                 -

Cost Center/Budget and/or Revenue Responsibility:             -

adidas INNOVATION

adidas is currently looking for a highly motivated and skilled individual to join our team as a Technical Project Manager. The successful candidate will manage the execution of key tasks in an exciting new publicly funded research project (PFRP) focused on developing a new sustainable material for applications in performance products.

Working closely with both internal and external partners, this multifaceted role requires a blend of project management expertise and technical leadership to drive the successful execution of the project. 

Role Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

EVA foams are used for midsoles in many of our products.  The material has limited options for circularity, especially for achieving specific performance quality standards.  In this role you will be the main contact point between the research partners and adidas stakeholders and will drive the transfer of research results into new product concepts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Overall responsibility for Project ensuring strategic fit with brand needs and maximising impact of the project for adidas
• Responsible for guiding and managing technical workstreams and prototype development
• Managing product testing against adidas standards and industry benchmarks
• Use materials science expertise to align research and development efforts with product or component requirements, ensuring new materials meet functional performance targets
• Managing internal partners who have specific focus on material testing and product development, and ensuring that adidas effectiely leverages external stakeholders
• Supporting project partners in specific workstreams in gathering data for Consumer studies; Lifecycle Assessments (LCA); and Technoeconomic analysis (TEA)
• Prepare and maintain results-based reports and documentation, and regularly communicate status and updates to stakeholders and leadership within adidas and the project consortium, including both technical and non-technical audiences

Additional Responsibilities:

• Educate and train colleagues by sharing knowledge and disseminating project results on an on-going basis
• Create and maintain project plan and budgets for ensuring effective implementation of tasks and compliance with contractual obligations of public funding
• Consider legal implications of innovative concepts, working with the legal team to protect product, technology, innovation, process, and design
• Stay connected to relevant current and upcoming research, technologies, methods, and industry trends.  Build an effective information network

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Curiosity for science and engineering along with a passion for transferring insights in the field of sport
• Knowledgeable around development and testing of EVA foams
• Knowledge in mechanical engineering, materials engineering, footwear circularity and materials testing seen as an advantage
• Development expertise for footwear, taking into account technical project outcomes
• Self-motivated with enterpreunial mindset
• Curiosity for linking business needs with sustainability challenges
• University degree in a relevant field
• Previous work in research environments and/or publicly funded projects seen as an advantage
• Communicate and negotiate effectively
• Collaborate well, develop, and maintain relationships (eg. Companies, Universities, Government representatives)
• Work independently as well as part of a team
• Plan working time efficiently, balancing short term tasks with long term goals
• Strong analytical skills, solution driven and results-oriented
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in a relevant engineering field, like elastomers and/or green chemistry.
• 3 years of working experiences - advantageous is working with elastomers or footwear