Director, Innovation & Concepts APP

The Director, Innovation & Concepts APP is a key player within Product Development & Sourcing, driving towards the most agile, competitive, innovative and sustainable supply base in the industry. The role leads the research and development of innovative concepts across FTW, APP and A&G, ensuring alignment with business unit-specific deliverables, full integrity and on-time execution. It works closely with cross-functional Product Development & Sourcing teams, Headquarter Innovation teams, Global Brands Creative Direction & Innovation, sourcing suppliers and global functions such as HR, Finance, IT and Legal.

• Build key relationships with HQ concept leads, authenticate key business unit-specific category know-how, and engage in range plan and marketing strategy.
• Lead product concept teams co-located at the designated LO/Tier 1 regional Innovation Centres.
• Drive exploration and development, sustainable material integration and product costing management to ensure products consistently exceed customer expectations in fit, comfort, design integrity, performance, perceived value, manufacturability and quality.
• Make decisions within the defined product integrity, manufacturability and quality scope, with authority to make joint product decisions and/or the final call on product decisions.
• Set direction for the development area with key focus on Innovate to Value, Product Integrity and overall Manufacturability & Efficiency for all designated factory groups.
• Manage relationships with factory heads of innovation and influence suppliers to achieve continuous upgrades of technical applications, development innovation and manufacturing technologies.
• Work directly with factory management on factory personnel skill evaluation and drive the development of personnel.
• Develop business cases and presentations for the factory to promote capability, influencing Marketing, Design and Brand Operations on general product direction and execution of designated product categories.
• Take accountability for the development and engineering transition of centrally developed projects into other Liaison Offices.
• Act as Product Creation Master to coach, train and continuously upgrade product eyes capability, engineering expertise, Innovate to Value knowledge and technical problem-solving skills.
• Ensure all sourcing operations and practices fully comply with adidas' Responsible Sourcing & Purchasing Policy, adidas standards and legal requirements, managing the relevant processes internally and externally.
• Develop and coach the team to ensure the best standards of performance, appropriate skill set and strong succession plans are in place.
• Role model leadership to foster a culture of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion that strives for an inclusive workplace.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders to deliver the greatest impact for the brand.

• University degree in Product/Material Engineering, Industrial Design or related areas.
• Minimum 10+ years relevant experience.
• At least 2 other functions of experience.
• 3+ years of people management experience.
• Depth and breadth of experience in product creation and product engineering, with strong eyes for products, able to co-lead or support regional or global projects related to the area of expertise.
• Exceptional product eyes and knowledge of target consumers to influence and drive the overall product direction of all categories in the assigned Development Centres.
• Strong leadership and ability in leading multidimensional teams.
• Strong influencing, people, presentation and communication skills.
• Fluent in English and local language, written and spoken.
• Strong Microsoft Office/AI skills.

The company strongly believes that embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into its culture and talent processes gives employees a sense of belonging and the brand a real competitive advantage.