LEAN Mission Statement:

At adidas we are committed to live a Continuous Improvement (CI) mindset behind the LEAN philosophy and principle with a focus on Innovation to ultimately maximize customer value while minimizing waste.

Summary:

This position will facilitate the implementation of the LEAN Management philosophy and creating a Continuous Improvement mindset at DTC East in Wilkes-Barre, PA. This position will help to identify improvement opportunities and the resources necessary to accomplish planned improvements. It will also lead, coach, and mentor multiple improvement teams within the DC to affect rapid change. Seeking strategical alignment within our DC Network and global counterparts to nurture a Continuous Improvement culture will be required.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

Adoption of continuous improvement principles and adidas Performance Ecosystem (PeS) framework 

• Drive and sustain key continuous improvement principles that are in place in the Distribution Center (e.g. visual management, performance dialogues, 6S, gemba, etc.)

• Support the implementation of the adidas Performance Ecosystem (PeS) framework on-site and ensure its sustainability and alignment with global standards

• Train and coach the shopfloor leadership team through the adoption of the adidas Performance Ecosystem (PeS) framework as well as new continuous improvement tools and routines  

• Regularly conduct Gemba walks and internal audits to monitor progress and adoption of global continuous improvement and PeS standards 

Process Improvement 

• Support operations process owners to optimize processes including regular Kaizen workshops with area leads to identify improvement opportunities (VSM, CIP, etc.) 

• Act as key point of contact for all continuous improvement related topics in area of responsibility  

• Drive the Site Improvement Plan (SIP) including facilitating the development of a holistic annual action plan for the DC via Target Setting process, work with the regional Lead to secure funding and resources, and track progress with the operations leadership team 

• Collaborate with cross-functional business partners to support preparation of business cases for the demand process 

• Track impact of Target Setting initiatives feeding into global reporting 

Implementation of new tools 

• Act as main point of contact and expert to the project teams who implement tools such as Staffing Tool, Labor Management System (LMS), etc. 

• Enable the implementation and adoption of Labor Management practices and systems along side the superusers  

• Localize global training and tools to ensure best adoption for the operation

• Function as a change agent – continuously challenge the way things are done, promote creativity and out of the box thinking 

Best practice sharing  

• Actively share- and seek for best practices across the community of other Distribution Center Excellence & Continuous Improvement Lead; participate in Best Practice Groups to scale up identified best practices 

• Contribute to the design of future adidas Performance Ecosystem (PeS) framework 

Key stakeholders:

• DC Leadership team 
• DC support functions 
• Global Continuous Improvement Leads 
• Engineering team 
• Global and DC IT and Tech teams 
• Non Trade Procurement teams (global, regional) 

Education and Experience:  

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering
• Lean Leader or Lean Six Sigma certifications preferred
• Project management certification preferred 
• Experience working in logistics or in manufacturing operations with focus on Kaizen/Lean/CI activities  
• Experience working with cross-functional teams including collaboration with senior leadership  

Skills:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience implementing continuous improvement concepts 

• Demonstrated statistical and analytical problem-solving skills 

• Strong communication, facilitation and presentation skills to all levels of the organization 

• Demonstrated project management skills and change management experience  

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment 

• Microsoft Office Suite

• Willingness to travel for Kaizen workshops, trainings and projects etc.  

adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
adidas offers robust and progressive medical, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, adoption, with surrogate and fertility support, short and long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D insurance, which can be supplemented with employee-paid coverage. Employees are able to enroll in adidas’ 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match. Full-time employees are eligible for education assistance and generous Leave policies including 14 weeks of paid parental leave.

Employees are eligible to earn ​an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance.​ Employees accrue prorated flexible time off in the amount ​.4388​ hours per day that increases with years of service, ​twelve​ paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years.

We officially returned to office in a hybrid work environment, working 3 days in office and 2 days remote.  The working location of this position is Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English.