Area:    Greater China                                                                          

Department:    Creation Center Shanghai                                                         

Direct Reporting Line:  Director Design APP, Kids

Subsidiary/country:      GCA                                                     

Location: Shanghai                                                                   

GSMS Grade:    M3                                                                  

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

This role is responsible for achieving adidas's creative vision and direction, overseeing the development of seasonal collections and all aspects of the design process within the organization. It involves supervising the design team to analyze the company's kidswear apparel across Sportswear and Originals, generate new design ideas, optimize workflows, build upon existing designs, and ensure the quality and consistency of design output across platforms, channels, and media.

The role also works closely with the Design Director and cross-functional leaders, such as the Product Marketing Manager, Category Manager, and Product Developer, etc., to align design goals with business objectives and user needs.

Responsibilities

Creative Vision & Strategy

• Carry out the seasonal creative narratives, ranges, and product stories, ensuring alignment across product type, color, materials, silhouettes, and graphics
• Distil abstract business concepts and customer needs into creative solutions
• Take responsibility for the creative vision and the standard of output across team members
• Build structural product strategy that responds to the business ambition & goals
• Champion new ideas & take risks

Team Leadership & People Management

• Hire, develop, and inspire the design team through solid people management and leadership skills.
• Lead and mentor the team both creatively and organizationally, fostering innovation and collaboration.

• Set and uphold a high standard for design excellence and output quality across the organization.
• Continuously grow and develop your own skills and career.

Trend Innovation & Commercial Impact

• Drive the identification of long-term and seasonal trends within the industry, contributing to innovative retail strategies that keep the brand ahead of the curve
• Creating meaningful and engaging experiences for users, growing and developing your own skills and career

Process & Methodology

• Oversee the complete creative process, identifying industry trends in color, materials, and graphics, and influence merchandising and assortment strategies
• Build strategic design methodology with the team
• Optimize the creative process to ensure that final products not only align with brand image but also meet commercial objectives
• Manage unexpected projects, feedback, and people factors from conception to completion within deadlines.

Brand Consistency & Quality Assurance

• Ensure that all the team’s creative output/visuals are consistent with the overall brand’s identity and qualitative level (from Youth to Little)
• Ensure the correct execution of Corporate Identity guidelines and against legal restrictions within the category

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication

• Pitch ideas confidently and present the creative vision clearly to stakeholders, as well as communicate in the same manner to members of the design team
• Collaborate with other team members and relevant functions to ensure alignment with the strategic priorities of the brands

Key Stakeholders

• Product Marketing (PM)
• Product Development (PD)
• Business Unit (BU)
• Senior Design Director
• Design Director
• Design Team members
• External Resources
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree / Masters / Fashion Design, or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of 5 or more years of experience as a senior-level designer. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience directing outdoor brands, with a proven track record of successful projects.
• A minimum of 2-3 years of management and leadership experience, demonstrating the ability to drive teams toward achieving strategic goals.
• Excellent knowledge and solid hard skill over outdoor/sport performance wear
• Strong Industry knowledge and high sensitivity of trend that able to conduct and incorporate it into the design work
• Ability to work with stakeholders to understand detailed requirements and determine a plan that will ensure they are met or exceeded, be open to receiving feedback and constructive criticism
• Excellent interpersonal skills to clearly and effectively communicate the creative vision, concepts, ideas, and solutions to stakeholders, internal teams, and clients.
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting, including synthesizing abstract ideas into concrete design implications
• Be excited about collaborating and communicating closely with teams and other stakeholders via a distributed model to regularly deliver design solutions for approval
• Fluency in English/ Mandarin with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Adobe Suite and MS Office
• Suitable candidates should also apply with their portfolios