Manager Category, Brand Projects SEA

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization

As Manager Category, Brand Projects, you will drive the execution of cross-category initiatives and nearshoring programs that improve speed, agility, and commercial responsiveness across Southeast Asia. With a particular focus on nearshoring and local production initiatives, this role will help scale fast-response capabilities, improve cross-functional ways of working, and support healthier inventory and go-to-market outcomes across SEA.

Key Responsibilities

• Horizontal Category Strategy & Concept Development: Own and roll out horizontal category concepts across multiple categories, identify operational opportunities, ensure alignment with brand and commercial goals, and build frameworks, playbooks, and reporting routines for nearshoring initiatives.
• Project Management & Cross-Functional Coordination: Drive alignment across categories and markets, support assortment guardrails and marketplace moments, own project plans and governance routines, and ensure disciplined execution across multiple workstreams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with Category Management, Brand Analytics, GTM, MOPS, Product, Brand, Demand Planning, Supply Chain, and Finance teams.
• Commercial & Marketplace Impact: Support assortment productivity, analyse cross-category performance, and use insights to improve future concepts and plans.
• Nearshoring & Speed Enablement: Connect sourcing, supply chain, category planning, and go-to-market teams; support the Southeast Asia nearshoring strategy; identify suitable categories, franchises, and price points; and track initiatives against speed, service, cost, and inventory KPIs.

Behaviors & Capabilities

• Structured, systems-oriented thinker with strong attention to detail.
• Confident communicator able to manage multiple stakeholders.
• Curious, learning-oriented, and comfortable operating in ambiguity.

Professional Experience & Profile

• 5–8 years of experience in category, planning, merchandising, supply chain, or related roles.
• Exposure to product creation, sourcing, or local production is a strong plus.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
• Passion for learning, speed, and end-to-end business understanding.

Culture and Inclusion

adidas fosters a winning culture centered on courage, ownership, innovation, teamplay, integrity, and respect. The company emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion to create belonging and connect authentically with consumers and communities.