Manager Materials Innovation Footwear - Polymer (m/f)

Job description

Country: Germany
Job Function: Product Development

State / Province: Germany
Position Type: Full time

City / Location: Herzogenaurach
Brand: adidas Group

Relocation: Yes

At adidas Group, our love of sport drives who we are and what we do. But just as a ball is more than leather and thread, and a shoe more than padding and plastic, we are bigger than our products. We don’t just work to create faster shoes and lighter fabrics: We strive to help athletes everywhere perform their best. We believe that it’s hard work inventing the future of sport, and that’s why we love it; that when you push your limits, you make it possible for others to push theirs.

At adidas Group, this drive it what connects us, whether we’re working for TaylorMade, adidas, Reebok, or Rockport. We’re all working toward a future motivated by passion, original thinking, and the desire to build upon a proud legacy.

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organisation:

Pro-actively provide or develop materials, which support the creative material direction and enable commercial success. Drive material concept innovation in the respective focus area. Ensure availability of material portfolio according to calendar timelines, target prices, sourcing policy, and quality standards and drive material efficiencies horizontally.

Key Responsibilities:

· Be the key consultant for material related questions for the respective material focus area
· Lead innovation project in cooperation with material and material machinery suppliers.
· Pro actively initiate and drive Innovation projects and material developments and ensure their successful technical implementation and documentation
· Lead all technical discussions related to the respective material focus area, steer the material innovation and development process and support material consolidation to improve material efficiency
· Build and maintain a close relationship with interfaces such as Design (Creative direction), Marketing (horizontal concepts), vertical material teams, Material Sourcing, Quality, Suppliers and Futures Teams
· Ensure availability of correct materials data in the material management system
· Identify suitable sources for new material developments (aligned with material sourcing strategy) and guide suppliers to translate the design vision into new, innovative materials which meet commercial needs of the brand
· Initiate and monitor all material developments for the respective material focus area (work together with suppliers, Sourcing, Quality and be responsible for initial material price negotiations with suppliers during development stage)
· Ensure that all selected materials are tested and approved by Materials Quality in accordance with applicable calendar timelines
· Cooperate with Creative Direction and the rest of the CF materials team to create a focused material offer that enables commercial success
· Provide latest information on material innovation and newness by gathering innovative input from relevant fairs, supplier meetings, material shows and competitor analysis.
· Act as an expert and consultant to the BU x-functional teams regarding the respective material focus area
· Initiate appropriate R+D lab and athlete testing to ensure quality and performance suitability of materials for intended end use
· Translate technologies initiated by the futures team into commercially applicable materials

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

· Advanced communication skills, especially when interacting with different levels of business
· Ability to create, plan and effectively deliver presentations in formal and informal settings
· Ability to anticipate problems, offers solutions, and address issues with materials in order to meet the Design team’s aesthetic goals and financial targets
· Ability to cope with change
· Ability to work independently or with limited guidance
· Ability to accept and meet critical deadlines with good planning and organization skills
· Fluent English (verbal and written)
· Strong IT skills (e-mail, MS office)

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

· Four year college or university degree in material engineering or comparable degree/education
· Minimum of 2-3 years work experience in the respective material industry (material or material machinery supplier)

We are looking forward to receiving your application.