About the role
PURPOSE
- A key player in PD&S in driving to be the Most Agile, Most Competitive, Most Innovative & Sustainable Supply Base in the industry.
- Lead the team in researching and developing innovative concepts (FTW, APP or A&G), ensuring alignment with BU-specific deliverables, full integrity, and on-time execution.
- Develop and formalize product concepts by leveraging industry-leading manufacturing processes, while assessing and clearly communicating their readiness level and scalability potential.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders to deliver the greatest impact for the brand.
- Collaborate closely with the cross-functional Product Development & Sourcing and Headquarter’s Innovation teams to ensure a seamless transition into the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Built key relationship with HQ concept leads and authenticate key BU specific category knowhow and engage in range plan and marketing strategy.
- Lead product concept teams co-located at the designated LO/Tier1 regional Innovation Centers.
- Explorations & development, sustainable material integration and product costing management ensuring that products consistently exceed customer expectations in respect to fit, comfort, design integrity, performance, perceived value, manufacturability and quality.
- Make decisions within the defined product integrity, manufacturability and quality scope. Authority to make joint product decisions and/or final call on product decision.
- Set direction for development area with key focus on Innovate to Value, Product Integrity and overall Manufacturability & Efficiency for all designated factory groups.
- Manage relationship with factory head of innovation, influence supplier to achieve continuous upgrades of technical applications, development innovation and manufacturing technologies.
- Work directly with the Factory Management in terms of factory personnel skill evaluation, driving development of personal.
- Work on business case/presentation for the Factory to promote capability influence Marketing, Design and Brand Operations in general product direction and execution of the designated product categories through personal credibility built upon product and manufacturing expertise.
- Take accountability for the development and engineering transition of centrally developed projects into other Liaison Offices.
- Exhibits exceptional “product eyes” and knowledge of target consumers to influence and drive the overall product direction of all categories in the assigned Development Centers.
- Act as Product Creation Master to coach, train/teach and continuously upgrade “product eyes” capability, engineering expertise, Innovate to Value knowledge and technical problem-solving skills.
- Ensure all sourcing operations and practices fully comply with adidas’ Responsible Sourcing & Purchasing Policy, adidas standards and legal requirements, while managing the relevant processes internally and externally.
- Develop and coach team to ensure the best standards of performance, appropriate skill set, and strong succession plans are in place.
- Role model leadership to foster a culture of Diversity Equity & Inclusion that strives for an inclusive workplace.
Key Relationships
- Product Development & Sourcing
- Global Brands - Creative Direction & Innovation
- Sourcing Supplier
- Global Functions Teams: HR / Finance / IT / Legal
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Have depth and breadth of experience in product creation, product engineering, strong eyes for products which can be called up on to co-lead or support regional or global projects related to his/her area of expertise.
- Strong Leadership and ability in leading multidimensional teams
- Strong influencing, people, presentation and communication skills
- Fluent in English and local language (written and spoken)
- Strong Microsoft office/AI skills
Requisite Education and Experience
- University degree in Product/Material Engineering, Industrial Design or related areas
- Minimum 10+ years relevant experience and at least 2 other functions experience
- 3+ years of people management experience
