Manager, Product Development & Commercialization Footwear (OA3)

Purpose

A key player in Global Sourcing in driving Sourcing’s vision to be the Most Agile, Most Competitive, Most Digitalized & Cleanest Supply Base in the industry. Drive development, commercialization, product integrity, manufacturability, Create to Value (CTV), and performance to target FOB of assigned projects or categories.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the development and commercialization process of assigned products in collaboration with Tier 1 factory personnel and technical teams.
• Provide technical expertise to ensure effective transition of design into samples and production while meeting manufacturability, material selection, material standards, development timeline, and cost-to-target requirements.
• Continuously upgrade technical applications and processes and implement new technology in development and engineering.
• Supervise the direct development process between Headquarters or Creation Center and Tier 1 factories, ensuring the Create to Value approach and product integrity remain paramount.
• Influence Headquarters teams and external parties and drive change using adidas standards as the center of focus in managing and solving conflicts.
• Make day-to-day decisions within the defined scope and escalate complex issues or potential business or manufacturing impacts.
• Execute defined directives.
• Ensure sourcing operations and practices comply with adidas’ Responsible Sourcing & Purchasing Policy, adidas standards, and legal requirements.
• Role-model leadership to foster a culture of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Key Relationships

Global Sourcing teams, Global Brands, Global Operations, other global functions, and external sourcing suppliers including Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and expertise in product engineering and development or commercialization processes and timelines.
• Ability to identify problems and provide solutions to development and commercialization issues.
• Good knowledge of manufacturing processes, product testing processes and evaluation, and material types.
• Ability to read shell patterns, 2D and 3D blueprints, BOM, CBD, and FCT.
• Understanding of costing principles and processes, including product cost breakdowns.
• Creative mindset and strong influencing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Fluent English, written and spoken.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills.

Education and Experience

• University degree in engineering or a related area.
• Minimum 5+ years of relevant business experience.
• Experience in pattern engineering, product creation, mold making, grading, materials processing, or related areas.

Culture

At adidas, employees are encouraged to demonstrate courage, ownership, innovation, teamplay, integrity, and respect. The company emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of its culture and talent processes.