Sr Designer Color & Materials jobs at Adidas in United Arab Emirates, Dubai

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

At adidas, we have a clear purpose: “Through sport, we have the power to change lives.” This guiding principle shapes how we operate as a company, how we collaborate with our partners, how we create our products, and how we connect with our consumers. Our values represent essential behaviours and mindsets, reflecting the “You Got This” attitude we strive to see in every team member.

This same purpose and mindset are at the heart of Concept to Consumer (CTC) role that enable consumer-focused category execution by coordinating product availability, impactful seasonal campaigns activations and driving in-season trading strategies. This role ensures cross-functional alignment and operational excellence across channels to deliver impactful consumer experiences and business results.

Key Responsibilities:

• Generate and consolidate market and financial insights (incl. sell-out data), to inform category strategy, transforming it into actionable insights for category and commercial teams.
• Own the input of country range selection into planning systems, enabling a seamless end-to-end sell-in process.
• Monitor and report category performance in-season, identifying risks and opportunities to optimize sell-through.
• Support the briefing with local expertise to the business unit on needed articles, specific retailer needs and other volume and image driving opportunities, local market and category trends, and business opportunities to maximize the category´s potential in the country.
• Be the key contact for local commercial and brand activation teams for the assigned category for the country, with a clear overview of the execution in the market, key channels and accounts through frequent trade and digital visits/review.
• Provide any required scenario analysis related to the Category, and participate of 90-60-30 meetings to be fully on board on a Brand Activation perspective on status of the category, and take corrective actions in case they are necessary.
• Coordinate in-season trading strategies across channels, ensuring agility in response to market dynamics.
• Lead category activation planning in collaboration with Brand Comms, Omni, and channels teams.
• Manage campaign calendars and launch timelines, communicating changes and coordinating execution across functions.
• Ensure product availability by aligning with supply chain, demand planning, and account teams.
• Support discount and inventory strategies, including slow mover management and license expiration considerations.
• Facilitate cross-functional meetings and communications, acting as the central connector between CTC, channels, and brand teams.

Key Relationships:

• CTC Category Leads
• Marketing Operations
• Brand Comms, SPOMA and Omnichannel Teams
• Demand Planning
• Supply Chain team

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical and reporting capabilities (e.g., Power BI)
• Deep understanding of consumer and market dynamics
• Excellent coordination and communication skills
• Proficiency in campaign planning and product lifecycle management
• Ability to manage complexity and drive cross-functional alignment

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• University degree or equivalent education
• Minimum 2 years of experience in category management, marketing, or commercial operations

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure a timely collection of open receivables balance by working closely with the customer, internal stakeholders and solve any causes of non-payments.
• Ensure that all payments are received are allocated accurately and timely without any errors.
• Follow-up in case of discrepancies and ensure they are handled within a reasonable time frame.
• Be accountable and demonstrate ownership, being able to manage escalations towards management, proposing proactive feedback summary and recommended solutions in alignment with the department policy.
• Be able to back-up the Team Leader solving operational complex situations, and to guide, provide training and support to other team members by applying streamlined approaches.
• Lead short-term defined scope projects or support larger projects within finance operations also processing periodic reviews to identify, assess and take action to mitigate risks to project success.
• Manage customer relationship, which includes problem resolution and root cause analysis.
• Assess and review the credit risk on the customer on regular basis to mitigate risk for adidas according to credit policy.
• Perform review, analysis and proposal of release on credit block deliveries.
• Provide insight in the development of the accounts receivable position of the customer to the Credit & Collections leadership team and Sales / Finance stakeholders.
• Act as the point of contact for the process related issues and support on escalations.
• Track disputes, forward to the right department for their solution and follow-up until their closing.
• Identify the improvement opportunities and support their implementation.
• Provide insight into the calculation of the required provision for uncollectable balances.
• Support requests from internal and external stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain strong financial controls over the work performed.
• Ensure desktop procedures are updated in line with standards and policies.

Key Relationships

• Cash Application
• Customer Primary Data
• Account and Sales Operations
• Sales
• Market Finance

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong Finance Acumen
• Solid experience with SAP and Excel
• Experience in a Shared Service environment or similar
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English and French in a business environment setting
• Ability to pay close attention to detail
• Solid interpersonal skills combined with a high degree of customer orientation
• Ability to navigate easily within complex organizations, connect with a variety functions, audiences, management styles, or cultures
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Highly results driven and self-motivated team player with compassion, integrity, trust and perseverance
• Curious and growth mindset; keen to learn and approach subjects outside of comfort zone, look beyond the obvious

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• University degree in Accounting, Business Administration or similar field
• 5 plus years relevant work experience in the accounting / corporate finance area
• Broad and deep theoretical understanding of job function

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure a timely collection of open marketplaces receivables balance by working closely with the customer, internal stakeholders and solve any causes of non-payments.
• Ensure that all payments are received are allocated accurately and timely without any errors
• Follow-up in case of discrepancies and ensure they are handled within a reasonable time frame.
• Be accountable and demonstrate ownership, being able to manage escalations towards management, proposing proactive feedback summary and recommended solutions in alignment with the department policy.
• Be able to back-up the Team Leader solving operational complex situations, and to guide, provide training and support to other team members by applying streamlined approaches.
• Lead short-term defined scope projects or support larger projects within finance operations also processing periodic reviews to identify, assess and take action to mitigate risks to project success.
• Manage customer relationship, which includes problem resolution and root cause analysis
• Assess and review the credit risk on the customer on regular basis to mitigate risk for adidas according to credit policy
• Perform review, analysis and proposal of release on credit block deliveries.
• Provide insight in the development of the accounts receivable position of the customer to the Credit & Collections leadership team and Sales / Finance stakeholders.
• Act as the point of contact for the process related issues and support on escalations
• Track disputes, forward to the right department for their solution and follow-up until their closing.
• Identify the improvement opportunities and support their implementation
• Provide insight into the calculation of the required provision for uncollectable balances.
• Support requests from internal and external stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain strong financial controls over the work performed.
• Ensure desktop procedures are updated in line with standards and policies.

Key Relationships

• GBS DTC Operations
• GBS R2R
• Digital Partner Commerce Partner Program
• Market Finance
• DTC Global Process Owners

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong Finance Acumen
• Solid experience with SAP and Excel
• Experience in a Shared Service environment or similar
• Experience in DTC channel
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English in a business environment setting.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail
• Solid interpersonal skills combined with a high degree of customer orientation
• Ability to navigate easily within complex organizations, connect with a variety functions, audiences, management styles, or cultures.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Highly results driven and self-motivated team player with compassion, integrity, trust and perseverance.
• Curious and growth mindset; keen to learn and approach subjects outside of comfort zone, look beyond the obvious.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• University degree in Accounting, Business Administration or similar field
• 5 plus years relevant work experience in the accounting / corporate finance area
• Broad and deep theoretical understanding of job functi

*We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Continuously aware and guides team on information needed to design a consumer and brand relevant collection. Should include all possible sources to gain this information

• Trade fairs, cultural events, and sporting events, athlete insights
• Trade publications, general interest press, trend services, fashion and sportswear magazines and websites
• Store checks, market visits, and team travel as provided
• Relevant forecast and sell-through numbers from our Marketing counterparts

Is a stakeholder in driving seasonal and long-term design direction and strategy for their category within the following topics

• Footwear and Apparel Color
• Footwear Materials
• Footwear and Apparel Silhouettes
• Graphics/Print Direction

• Creating 3D concept representation, 3D assets, digital product information for an accurate development and decision-making process

Is a stakeholder in curatingaforementioned design direction by, but not limited to

• Providing trend forecasting content relevant to our consumer and brand
• Providing direction and assisting in developing materials with the Material Team
• Working with Local and Global counterparts to provide category relative Color and Material direction when required
• Leads as a Color and Trend conduit to Marketing, Product Managers, Designers and in between Key Account and Inline
• Acts as a brand ambassador between all categories looking for opportunities to connect direction, product, and people
• Assisting in creating color design direction presentations

Works closely with members of the category’s design team. This includes but is not limited to:

• Providing Color and Material content and direction
• Collaboration and critiquing
• To understand technical details of the product

Works closely with members of the categories design team. This includes but is not limited to:

• Providing Color and Material content and direction
• Collaboration and critiquing
• Sets a leading example within the team and mentors
• Transfers prior experiences and knowledge to those around them
• Viewed within the team as a Color and Material expert and senior

Leads top-line range strategy in their categories. This includes but is not limited to:

• Leads their team in creating holistic category overviews, rollouts, and merchandising strategy for the category
• Communicate content to Footwear, Apparel, and Graphics Teams to align strategy
• Inform horizontal brand moments and category moments by leading products, Color and Material narratives/executions, and tiered rollout plans in partnership with Design, Marketing, and Concept To Consumer. This is a collaborative effort across disciplines & functions together.

Manages in designing Footwear Color and Material executions for Inline and Key Account ranges with input from Design, Marketing, and Development. This includes but is not limited to:

• Seasonal prep and research stated above
• Creates product design presentations; both physical and digital
• Exploratory process to reach final solution
• Creates Color CADs, Material Maps, & Graphic Maps.
• Guides their team in creating a quality and merchandisable range by having a detail to top-line view of all products
• Works closely with Development to assist in development process & costing; meet development timelines and calendar deadlines per seasonal milestone.
• Travel to Asia for development trips
• Assists in communicating inspiration and storytelling to Marketing and Concept To Consumer

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability and desire to manage others, which includes but is not limited to:
• Influencing and leading a team
• Productive critiquing and mentoring
• Creating more efficient, creative, and positive working environment
• A strong working knowledge of footwear construction and production
• A detailed understanding of the creation process
• A strong knowledge of material suppliers, material production, and technical material feasibilities
• Computer Skills

• Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop
• Power Point/Key Note
• Apple Mac Operating system

• Understanding of brand history and current positioning
• Understanding of marketplace (Footwear/streetwear/urban) history, consumer, and current positioning
• Has a strong understanding of Color and Material trends, application, and cycles
• Ability to understand design concepts and think conceptually
• Ability to create designs that meet category needs and commercial opportunities
• Ability to design for new initiatives and products with a fresh, innovative perspective
• Ability to operate in a fast pace, ever changing work environment
• Works well in a team environment. This position requires employee to engage with many stakeholders, as well as manage various information and relationships
• Ability and desire to push themselves, others, and the brand forward
• Ability to influence, negotiate, and collaborate with key business partners
• Strong presentation skills

• Strong 3D skills and knowledge of virtual tools are required

APP tools: Clo3D, Browzwear, VStitcher or similar 3D fashion design tools

FTW tools: Rhino, Modo, ICAD Pro, or similar 3D design tools

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Four year college or university degree in industrial, graphics, apparel or footwear design
• Direct experience in footwear design, fashion design or any design relevant environment
• Thorough knowledge of art and design with clear understanding of visual design or any design related environment
• Six years relevant work experience
• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for degree

ACCP1Assistant Designer JDAbout the Role:

Design & Concept Development

• Create innovative and functional design concepts for accessories (headwear, bags, socks, pet goods) that align with brand and commercial strategies.
• Translate concepts into detailed tech packs, sketches, and construction diagrams for a seamless handover to development teams.
• Ensure all designs maintain a consistent visual identity and uphold the adidas brand DNA.
• Collaborate with Apparel Designers to create cohesive, head-to-toe product stories.

Trend & Market Analysis

• Conduct ongoing research on global and local trends in streetwear, sport culture, and fashion.
• Integrate consumer and market insights from China’s dynamic landscape to ensure product relevance.
• Research and apply new materials, trims, and construction techniques to maintain a competitive edge.

Project Execution & Collaboration

• Manage and execute design tasks according to the seasonal calendar, ensuring on-time delivery for all milestones.
• Partner closely with Product Marketing and Development teams to balance creative vision with feasibility and commercial goals.
• Drive a structured design process, effectively managing multiple projects from concept to production.

Key Relationships

• Design Director / Senior Designers (Apparel & Accessories)
• Product Marketing
• Product Development
• Sourcing & Materials Teams
• Global Accessories Teams (for alignment)

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Fashion Design, Accessories Design, or a related field.
• 3+ years of accessories design experience, preferably within fashion, sporting goods, or a related industry.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating a clear understanding of form, function, and trend-driven design.
• High proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly.
• Proactive, team-oriented mindset with an innovative approach to problem-solving.
• Language: Basic working proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required. Mandarin proficiency is a strong advantage.
• A genuine passion for sport, culture, design innovation, and the adidas brand.

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization

The mission of this department is to ensure the VAT payments are done on a timely manner and VAT accounts are properly reconciled.

The Senior Specialist GBS Tax Accounting will be responsible for doing the VAT accounts reconciliation and perform monthly postings.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure all tax payments are properly and timely executed;
• Ensure postings on VAT accounts are properly executed;
• Execute and review Balance Sheet Reconciliation;
• Responsible for maintaining files and documentation up to date and accurate, in accordance with company policy and accepted accounting practices;
• Responsible for suggesting process improvements, and suggest new working processes within systems area to ensure efficiency and excellence, as well as support theirimplementation;
• Support the team on ongoing projects for the implementation of new systems;
• Support requests from partner Finance departments and other teams within GBS center;
• Accountable for executing financial controls over the work performed.

Key Relationships

• Local Finance Team
• GBS center teams
• Corporate Tax
• External Partners

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Solid knowledge in accounting
• Solid knowledge in SAP
• Knowledge in VAT compliance is a plus
• Profficiency in MS-Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Advanced knowledge in MS Excel
• Experience in shared service center environment is a plus
• Strong customer focus and stakeholder management skills withbusiness partners and the global functional Team
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English in a business setting
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a multi-team environment to achieve consensous decisions, always having adidas consistent growth in mind
• Ability to pay close attention to detail and high degree of customer orientation
• Excellent communication skills
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Self-motivated and self-directed individual
• Availability to travel for periods of 1 to 3 weeks

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in economics, finance or legal or other related areas
• At least 3-5 years ofprogressive work experience in the area