Manager Retail Design Engineering

Area:                                                                                                         adidas China

Department:                                                                                            Consumer Experience – Retail Design

Direct Reporting Line:                                                                            Director Retail Design Engineering

Indirect/Secondary Reporting Line:                                                     N/A

Subsidiary/Country:                                                                               China

Location:                                                                                                   Shanghai

GSMS Grade:                                                                                           M4

Number of Personnel Managed:                                                          -

Cost Center/Budget and/or Revenue Responsibility:                      -

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

At adidas, our stores are more than places to shop—they are physical expressions of our brand and a key part of the consumer experience.

As Retail Fixture Engineering & Development Manager, you will play a critical role in bringing retail concepts to life by transforming creative design ideas into scalable, high-performing fixture solutions. You will lead the technical development, prototyping, validation, and implementation of retail fixtures and display systems that shape how consumers interact with our products across stores throughout China.

This role sits at the intersection of design, engineering, manufacturing, and retail innovation, partnering with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to deliver best-in-class retail environments that are functional, sustainable, and commercially effective.

Key Responsibilities:   

1. Drive Fixture Engineering Excellence

• Translate retail design concepts into technically viable and production-ready fixture solutions.
• Lead engineering development from concept exploration through final production.
• Ensure all fixture systems meet performance, durability, safety, and quality requirements.
• Develop scalable solutions that support efficient rollout across multiple retail formats.

2.Lead Prototype Development & Validation

• Manage the end-to-end prototype and mock-up process.
• Evaluate engineering feasibility, construction methods, user experience, and assembly efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement through testing, validation, and optimization.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align on technical and commercial requirements.

3.Champion Material & Manufacturing Innovation

• Identify innovative materials, finishes, and manufacturing technologies.
• Balance aesthetics, functionality, sustainability, and cost effectiveness.
• Introduce new engineering solutions to elevate retail experiences and improve operational efficiency.
• Support adidas sustainability ambitions through responsible design and material selection.

4.Manage Strategic Supplier Partnerships

• Work closely with fixture manufacturers, engineering partners, and development vendors.
• Lead technical reviews, supplier evaluations, and engineering discussions.
• Drive quality, performance, and continuous improvement across the supplier network.
• Build long-term partnerships that support innovation and business growth.

5.Ensure Quality & Production Readiness

• Establish and maintain engineering and quality standards.
• Support production validation and quality control processes.
• Resolve technical issues throughout development and rollout phases.
• Ensure seamless transition from approved prototype to full-scale production.

6. Project Management

• Manage multiple fixture development projects simultaneously.
• Track project milestones, risks, budgets, and deliverables.
• Coordinate cross-functional communication among internal teams and external partners.
• Maintain project documentation and lessons learned.

7.Collaborate Across Functions

• Partner with Retail Design, Visual Merchandising, Procurement, Real Estate, Construction, and Brand teams.
• Provide engineering expertise throughout the retail development lifecycle.
• Influence design decisions through technical insight and problem-solving.
• Support key store projects, pilot initiatives, and future retail concepts.

Key Relationships:

• Internal: Visual Merchandising , Retail Marketing, Retail Design team, Procurement team, Project Management team, Retail Operation team, Franchise sales team, Global team.
• External: Franchisee, Design Agency, General Contractors, Fixture Management Consultant, Logo/Lighting vendors, Global and local fixture manufactory.

What You'll Bring:

Experience

• Bachelor's degree background
• 5+ years of experience in retail fixture development, product engineering, furniture engineering, shopfitting, industrial design, or related fields.
• Proven experience managing development projects from concept through production.
• Experience working with suppliers, manufacturers, and engineering partners.
• Background in retail, fashion, sporting goods, consumer brands, or commercial interiors is highly preferred.

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of fixture engineering, product development, manufacturing, and construction methods.
• Expertise in materials such as metal, wood, plastics, composites, and surface finishes.
• Understanding of prototyping, production processes, quality assurance, and cost optimization.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, Sketchup, Solidworks design tools.

Leadership Capabilities

• Strong project management and prioritization skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive alignment.
• A proactive mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

Desired Traits:

We're looking for someone who is:

✔ Passionate about retail experience and consumer engagement
✔ Curious about materials, engineering, and innovation
✔ Solutions-focused and highly collaborative
✔ Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment
✔ Motivated to challenge conventional thinking and drive improvement