KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Drive development and validation of innovative product concepts aligned with specifications, compliance, and integrity. Provide commercially tangible guidance across readiness levels, ROI, timelines, and scalability. Collaborate closely with supplier innovation centers to ensure performance, competitiveness, and strategic advantage for adidas. Inspire suppliers to continuously upgrade expertise in technical applications, new materials, and manufacturing technologies. Benchmark across sporting goods and other industries to identify opportunities for innovative technologies, processes, and materials. Deliver regular updates and valuable input to project teams and key stakeholders; escalate to leadership when necessary. Challenge teams, stakeholders, and suppliers to ensure feasibility, commercial viability, impact, and progress of projects. Allocate resources based on project needs. Ensure project deliverables are met on time, in full, and within budget. Lead and staff cross-divisional teams. Ensure sourcing operations comply with adidas’ Responsible Sourcing & Purchasing Policy, internal standards, and legal requirements. Develop and coach team members to uphold high performance standards, build appropriate skill sets, and establish strong succession plans. Role model leadership that fosters a culture of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the workplace.

 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS Global Sourcing HQ Innovation Teams, adiLab, Innovation Management HQ Sustainability Materials Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 Supply Partners’ Innovation Departments Global Functions Teams

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Innovative and visionary mindset Strong people management skills with proven experience leading multidimensional teams Deep expertise in Materials and Methods of Make, sports product creation, and engineering Excellent influencing, presentation, communication, and articulation skills Fluent in English (written and spoken) Proficient in Microsoft Office

 

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE University degree in Materials, Process, Textile, Chemical, Mechanical Engineering or related fields Minimum 10+ years of relevant experience, including 3 years of people management Specific expertise in product, material, and technology is an advantage