Manager, Product Development Footwear

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organisation

Management of footwear product development in support of the business units, providing effective transition of footwear designs from prototyping into production.

Key Responsibilities

• Communicate and coordinate information with Marketing, Design, Suppliers and LO/OC to ensure effective creation of outstanding products.
• Ensure projects are engineered to cost targets and prototypes address desired function, cosmetics, market appeal, manufacturability and adidas quality standards.
• Prototype and implement innovative footwear designs, components, processes, materials and concepts into manufacturable, marketable finished products.
• Ensure materials, processes and development samples are fully tested against adidas quality standards.
• Own the development process for assigned products, emphasizing quality and timely completion in accordance with the applicable operating calendar.
• Establish working relationships across Business Units, Design, Materials Development and Supply, Quality, Costing, Product Creation Technology, Logistics and Sourcing.
• Manage designated projects to ensure on-time colorway activation performance.
• Complete sample request forms, use the Product Data Management System, manage the Colorway Activation Sheet process and handle global communications.
• Support and guide developers in the team in all aspects of development.

Key Relationships

Marketing, Design, Tier 1 supply partners, Materials Development, Product Creation Technology, Sourcing, Testing, Quality Assurance, Costing, Supply Chain Management and Customs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Technical training in footwear engineering and product development, with knowledge of sourcing.
• Management skills preferred.
• Computer literacy, including MS Office, and presentation skills.
• Fluent English; German is an advantage.
• Exposure to current materials, components, processes and concepts.
• Ability to understand 2D images in 3D.
• Ability to travel frequently to production sources and testing locations.

Education and Experience

Undergraduate university degree preferred. Three to five years of related experience in the athletic footwear industry, specializing in product development, design and/or marketing, with a proven record in footwear development.

About adidas

adidas promotes a winning culture based on courage, ownership, innovation, teamplay, integrity and respect. The company is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.