Director Category Management Originals APP & ACC / Skate

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization

Build a local category strategy and lead the team to execute the product merchandising and go-to-market plans that drive brand and business success within the framework set by adidas Global Business Units.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a 3–5 year category plan based on the overall adidas business unit process in collaboration with the Global Business Unit.
• Deliver financial expectations across all channels and develop category initiatives to meet commercial goals.
• Manage the mid- to long-term division plan in alignment with the global vision.
• Act as the interface between the Global Business Unit and market stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and execute plans.
• Own end-to-end market strategy and execution, from integrated business planning and commercial input through in-season trading and exit.
• Own quality delivery toward go-to-market milestones, including forecasting, pricing, profitability, range size, range flow, range adoption, Article Performance Review, systems, catalogues, and master data maintenance.
• Define category ranges by sales channel, store, or trade zone where necessary.
• Materialize business opportunities through communication with the Global Business Unit, channels, wholesale accounts, and external research partners.
• Own key franchise lifecycle and inventory levels to ensure brand health.
• Perform category insights and analytics covering market, consumer, competitor, and sales analysis, and leverage the findings for planning.
• Own local product and allocation demand input to the global organization.
• Lead Creation Center Tokyo creation from brief through delivery to ensure product offers achieve category financial targets, delivery, sell-through, and exit goals.
• Lead cross-category and functional initiatives.
• Present ranges internally and externally with sufficient sample availability and participate in customer interactions during the planning phase.
• Manage and develop performance and a winning culture by coaching and motivating direct reports in alignment with the market organization’s development culture.
• Drive employee engagement and lead by example.

Key Performance Indicators

• Category net sales, net margin, and contribution.
• Sell-out across all channels.
• Forecast and data accuracy, drop rate, and Net Promoter Score.
• Market share.

Key Relationships

Global Business Units, Creation Center including the local trading company, Brand Activation, Culture Marketing, Sport Marketing, Business Development, Global Go-to-Market head office, Demand Planning, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Channels, and external wholesale partners.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to implement strategy.
• Strong presentation, communication, negotiation, and influencing skills, particularly with senior stakeholders in a global matrix organization.
• Proven success and high-level range management knowledge.
• Strong cross-functional and stakeholder management experience across commercial and support functions and organizational levels.
• Strong industry knowledge across footwear, apparel, and accessories.
• Expert understanding of markets, consumers, accounts, economic environments, and commercial needs.
• Ability to manage, coach, and develop people.
• Results-oriented mindset, integrity, attention to detail, and a proactive, collaborative attitude.
• Strong data analysis skills and ability to translate data into clear business actions.

Requisite Education and Experience

• 8–10 years of experience in range management or product.
• University degree in Business or equivalent professional experience, ideally in Sales or Marketing; MBA preferred.
• Sporting goods industry experience required.
• Fluent in Japanese and English.
• Substantial experience working with local customers and international stakeholders.
• High business acumen and strong PC skills, including Outlook, Word, Excel with PivotTables, and PowerPoint.
• Passion for sports and belief that sports have the power to change lives.

Culture and Inclusion

adidas fosters an athlete’s mindset through courage, ownership, innovation, teamplay, integrity, and respect. The company is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and aims to build a culture where employees and communities feel a sense of belonging.