Purpose
Manages a designated Lifestyle footwear product portfolio with the adidas Lifestyle Creation Center. Creates and executes against designated areas of responsibility for the lifestyle business model as defined by the Footwear Senior Management Team. Manages the process in all aspects related to product creation, aligning the product brief and initial design direction through to product ex-factory.
This role requires strong management, alignment and collaboration with the strategic hub in Germany and all creation functions at the Asia development center to fulfill product requirements relating to visual direction, costing, timing, trends and productivity.
Key Accountabilities
- Drive the product process to deliver against the brief, materials and design innovation while meeting gross margin and profitability objectives.
- Manage tools and range plans, create product overviews during development processes, communicate changes to involved partners, and consolidate and analyze forecasts.
- Maintain all related product systems for the designated area of the collection.
- Seek continual process improvement to drive a leading product process with speed and efficiency.
- Provide creative briefs on projects and products when required, giving clear product information to service departments including Design, Development and Logistics.
- Work cross-functionally with sourcing, development and manufacturing partners to realize product and category visions.
- Analyze and report category performance and research the competitive landscape.
- Ensure all product milestones are achieved in a fast-paced creation process.
- Present the range internally and to cross-functional partners such as the factory group.
Working Relationships
Global Strategic Hub, Design, Sourcing, Factory Groups, T2 Suppliers, Subsidiaries, Materials, Costing, Operations and Go-To-Market.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Broad footwear product knowledge across a variety of lifestyle silhouettes, with experience in development and working knowledge of product marketing, costing, materials, and collaboration with T1 and T2 suppliers.
- Strong business acumen in channel distribution, net sales, margin, profit and inventory.
- Good numerical skills and the ability to negotiate.
- Ability to work with and influence all levels of the organization and align external partners with the footwear strategy.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced product creation environment.
- Effective presentation skills.
- Skill in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
- Fluent English, verbal and written.
- Ability to travel internationally for consumer trend research and internal meetings and presentations.
Qualifications
- University degree, preferably in marketing or business.
- Minimum five years of related experience in marketing.
- Experience in footwear development, creation and sourcing is advantageous.
- International marketplace experience and understanding.
Culture and Inclusion
At adidas, employees are encouraged to demonstrate courage, ownership, innovation, teamplay, integrity and respect. adidas believes that embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into its culture and talent processes creates belonging and competitive advantage.