Heavily influence category direction and drive its implementation
Reduce strategies to tactical plans
Steer a cross-functional product creation team to deliver the category vision
Lead and develop the category team
Key Responsibilities:
Manage a team and develop their functional and social skills using available resources to create a top performing team
Set and manage strategic category direction; ensure cross-functional alignment
Identify new business opportunities to drive innovation and / or commerciality
Develop an "all for one attitude" within the team to ensure smooth cooperation with interlinked departments
Have full understanding of the product creation process to drive it forward
Be a role model for all team members in regards to strategic direction and the product creation process
Show leadership through living the brand values while fostering a performance culture
Manage and develop optimum relationship with cross-functional teams and with interlinked departments to enable an efficient product creation process
Challenge the cross-functional team to ensure creation of industry leading products
Analyse and report category business performance to ensure achievement of category KPIs
Positively represent the category both internally and externally
Work with the CtC (Concept to Consumer), Brand Marketing and Sports Marketing teams throughout the season to define strategic marketing direction
Be a competent partner for category and ranging discussions with markets and retailers
Define projects to optimize category performance and steer to conclusion
Build an understanding of product information systems and the interlinking functions – clarity on respective timelines
Key Relationships:
Steer a strong relationship and ensure constant dialogue/feedback with your team and cross functional partners and creation centers.
Cross-functional team (Design, Development, GTM, Materials, Costing, Planning)
Markets and relevant key retailers
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Manage a team to create industry leading products
Inspire, coach and lead; set framework for performance and growth
In-depth knowledge of respective product category, Basketball Performance Footwear
Advanced analytical skills, be solution driven and result oriented, strong business orientation
Ability to thrive in a fast paced environment
Strong communication skills
Lateral thinking and challenge status quo
Profound consumer, market and retail knowledge especially in regard to different needs of different countries/ regions
Step up to conflicts and work towards a diplomatic solution
Execute change management
Cooperate effectively to maintain and develop trustful relationships
Ability to travel domestically and internationally
Passion for sports
Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:
College degree, preferably in marketing/business /textile/fashion
Minimum of 7 years Product Marketing experience with Performance FTW or comparable background
Experience in managing and developing direct reports
Strong leadership skills
Experience in trade or sales is helpful
Fluent in English
PC skills (MS Office programs)
adidas offers 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, and basic life and AD&D insurance, which can be supplemented with employee-paid coverage. Employees are able to enroll in adidas’ 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match. Full-time employees are eligible for education assistance and generous Leave policies including 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance. Employees accrue prorated flexible time off in the amount .4388 hours per day that increases with years of service, twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years.
The anticipated low and high end of the base pay range for this position is $140,000 - $205,000. Actual salary will be based on various factors, such as a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills and competencies, proficiency for the role.
We officially returned to office in a hybrid work environment, working 3 days in office and 2 days remote. The working location of this position is Los Angeles, California.
Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English.