Senior Manager, Development FTW

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organisation

Manage the footwear product development process by supporting the respective Business Unit(s) and directly interacting with Tier 1 supply partners. Provide an effective transition of footwear designs from prototyping into production. This role combines the professional content of a Manager Development with managerial responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities: Product Developer (70%)

• Translate design vision and consumer needs into products that support Business Unit product strategy.
• Engineer workable prototypes addressing desired function, cosmetics, market appeal and manufacturability while meeting adidas quality standards.
• Coordinate tasks supporting on-time Color Way Activation for assigned projects.
• Manage direct development between headquarters and Tier 1 partners to achieve optimum results.
• Own project management for assigned products, emphasizing quality development and timely completion in line with the product creation calendar.
• Drive innovative footwear designs, components, processes, materials and concepts into manufacturable, marketable products.
• Maintain strong relationships with cross-functional teams and Tier 1 supply partners.
• Ensure materials, processes and development samples are tested against adidas quality standards.
• Manage product costing, BOM data entry and maintenance, design information, sample requests and Product Data Management System activities.
• Collaborate with Team Lead Technical Management to prioritize internal and supplier resources against workload.

Key Responsibilities: Managerial Content (30%)

• Establish a team-based culture focused on effective teamwork and team identification.
• Evaluate subordinate competencies and performance regularly.
• Allocate project work according to experience, product complexity and workload.
• Mentor, coach and support team members in their professional growth.
• Set objectives and evaluate the performance of direct reports.
• Supervise the team and take on additional management responsibilities as agreed with the Director Development.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to manage and motivate a team, with strong written, verbal and facilitation skills.
• Ability to plan and deliver presentations, anticipate problems and develop solutions.
• Ability to manage change, make decisions and act comfortably with risk and uncertainty.
• Advanced knowledge of material construction, testing and costing, with negotiation ability.
• Technical training in footwear engineering and product development, with sourcing knowledge.
• Fluent English required; German is an advantage.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Education and Experience

• Four-year college or university degree.
• At least 5–7 years of related experience in the athletic footwear industry, specializing in product development, design and/or marketing.
• First experience managing a team.
• Proven track record in footwear development.

Company Culture

adidas promotes a winning culture built around courage, ownership, innovation, teamplay, integrity and respect, alongside a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.