Director, Product Marketing, Kids Footwear

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization

Recognize sport and consumer insights, heavily influence category direction, drive its implementation, execute strategies into tactical plans, steer a cross-functional product creation team to deliver the category vision, and lead and develop the category team.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a team and create a top-performing team.
• Set and manage strategic category direction and ensure cross-functional alignment.
• Identify new business opportunities to drive innovation and commerciality.
• Develop effective cooperation with interlinked departments.
• Drive the product creation process and act as a role model for strategic direction.
• Foster a performance culture while living the brand values.
• Manage relationships with cross-functional teams and interlinked departments.
• Challenge the cross-functional team to create industry-leading products.
• Analyse and report category business performance against category KPIs.
• Represent the category internally and externally.
• Support category and ranging discussions with markets.
• Define projects to optimize category performance and steer them to conclusion.
• Build understanding of product information systems and interlinking functions.

Key Relationships

Category functions, other categories, creation centers, and cross-functional teams including Design, Development, Materials, Costing, and Planning.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to manage a team creating industry-leading products.
• Ability to inspire, coach, and lead while setting frameworks for performance and growth.
• In-depth knowledge of the relevant product category.
• Advanced analytical skills; solution-driven, results-oriented, and strong business orientation.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication skills, lateral thinking, and willingness to challenge the status quo.
• Consumer, market, and retail knowledge, especially regarding regional needs.
• Conflict management, change management, and effective relationship building.
• Ability to travel and passion for sports.

Required Education and Experience

• College degree, preferably in marketing, business, textile, or fashion.
• Minimum 10 years of Product Marketing experience, including Kids Footwear Product Marketing experience.
• At least 5 years of experience managing and developing direct reports.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Trade or sales experience is helpful.
• Fluent English, written and spoken.
• PC skills, including Microsoft Office programs.

Company Culture

adidas fosters an athlete’s mindset through courage, ownership, innovation, teamplay, integrity, and respect. The company emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in its culture and talent processes.