Manager Developer Footwear

• Manage the footwear product development process by supporting the respective Business Unit(s) and directly interact with Tier 1 supply partners and LO’s
• Provide an effective transition of footwear designs from prototyping into production
• Take ownership for the entire project management process for assigned products, with an emphasis on quality product development and timely completion of all tasks in accordance with the applicable operating calendar
• Drive the inception of new and innovative footwear designs, components, processes and materials into manufacturability and a marketable finished product
• Collaborate with Design to ensure design input into the critical phases of the development process meets agreed upon requirements
• Engineer workable prototypes which address desired function, aesthetics, market appeal and manufacturability and meet adidas quality standards
• Collaborate and interact directly with dedicated development teams at our Tier 1 partners to ensure that all critical deliverables for key development milestones are met
• Collaborate with Tier 1 partners to resolve routine business issues
• Identify critical issues and fundamental road blocks during the direct development process with Tier 1 partners, provide necessary action plans and timely follow-up and escalate critical issues if necessary to direct supervisor
• Monitor and guide the creation of Bill of Material information at Tier 1 suppliers
• Rationalize the selection of materials to support an optimized use of the material tool box
• Ensure that all materials, processes and development samples are fully tested to ensure adherence to adidas’ quality standards
• Drive margin maximization and cost target achievement at model level in alignment with Marketing, Design and HQ Costing
• Promote awareness of main product cost drivers to Marketing, Design
• Independently coordinate/conduct predictive costing and/or pre-costing activities as well as costing reviews at critical milestones
• Responsible for communicating all necessary information and coordinate all tasks that support on time Color Way Activation for all assigned projects
• Establish and maintain a strong working relationship with key parties
• Support and guide Assistant Project Managers in the team to further their growth in all aspects of Project Management

• Four-year college or university degree
• Technical training in footwear engineering and product development, knowledge of sourcing
• At least 3 years of relevant work experience in the athletic footwear industry, specializing in product development, design and / or marketing
• Proven record of accomplishment in the field of footwear development
• Exposure to the latest in materials, components, processes, and concepts
• Strong project management skills
• Basic understanding of costing principles
• Ability to understand 2D images in 3D
• Ability to create, plan and deliver presentations
• MS office skills
• Fluent English
• German an advantage

German language skills

• Robust and progressive medical, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options
• dental
• vision
• prescription drug coverage
• adoption, with surrogate and fertility support
• short and long-term disability
• basic life and AD&D insurance, which can be supplemented with employee-paid coverage
• 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match
• education assistance
• generous Leave policies including 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• annual bonus based on both company and personal performance
• prorated flexible time off
• twelve paid holidays
• Service Time Off during milestone years