Senior Development Manager Footwear - Innovation

As Senior Innovation Developer Footwear, you will work 22–46 months ahead of the Inline calendar to bring revolutionary and evolutionary innovations to commercial readiness. You will lead the development of new footwear concepts into manufacturable products, partnering cross-functionally with Innovation, Design, Marketing, Creative Direction, Advanced Creation experts, and external suppliers. The role focuses on validating performance and quality standards, managing cost structures and tech pack handovers, and driving product revisions. You will also assess innovation readiness, ensure feasibility and scalability, provide technical development support, and collaborate with Sourcing to select and ramp up the most suitable suppliers. 

 

 

Key Responsibilities

Innovation Concepts Development

• Lead and drive the inception of new and/or innovative designs, components, processes, materials, and concepts into a manufacturable and marketable finished product
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional team members from different brand teams (Design, Marketing & Creative Direction) and – if necessary – lead horizontal Advanced Creation experts per defined project
• Guide the definition and enhancement of test parameters/ standards required to evaluate and measure the performance & functionality of the concepts
• Ensure that all materials, components, as well as finished goods, are tested and adhere to adidas performance/quality standards (material, component, FGT, Fit&Wear/Biomechanical, safety, A01 requirements). Where applicable, escalate and manage quality exceptions with senior management as needed, ensuring a suitable resolution is agreed upon
• Collaborate with horizontal Advanced Creation experts and other vertical advanced teams to share knowledge and define adaptation potential across the Brand for new technologies and support Inline Implementation
• Understand key cost drivers and establish a transparent cost structure for new technologies and processes in collaboration with costing and the supply base
• Manage tech pack handover to the supply base to ensure that all information provided is complete. Drive product revision rounds with the cross-functional team and provide technical support as required after supply base feedback
• Ensure tasks and timelines are adhered to and provide project status updates to the Innovation Manager
• Validate innovation readiness level for revolutionary innovations and support the definition of the handover criteria
• Manage the transition to commercial readiness ahead of competition and provide additional support to the team for more complex projects
• Drive innovation until commercialization by checking the fit for purpose, the feasibility, the scalability in terms of machine investments, and by managing cost engineering
• Provide dedicated development capacity and technical capabilities (e.g., CAD, sampling)
• Provide cost engineering expertise
• Identify and propose creation options to manage cost towards the aspired level
• Identify, assess, select, and develop the most suitable suppliers (in cooperation with Sourcing)
• Ensure scalability (e.g., machine capacity) and coordinate supplier ramp-up
• required)

 

Key Relationships 

• Innovation
• BU Marketing & Design
• Creative Direction
• Brand Strategy
• Horizontal Concept
• Advanced Creation
• Inline Development
• Supply partners
• Costing Department
• EMI/Sourcing
• External Suppliers
• Supply Chain Management
• Legal
• IT

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to cope with change, make decisions, and act comfortably with risk and uncertainty
• Ability to demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset and creative thinking
• Strong project management skills and the ability to effectively work in cross-functional team setups
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Strategic acting
• Fluent in English (written and spoken)
• Travel, domestic and international as required by business needs
• Ability to work independently under minimal guidance on several projects simultaneously
• Engineering and technical expertise/experience
• Knowledge of wear and physical product testing 
• Strong E2E product creation understanding and profound knowledge of key creation processes (e.g., constructions, patterns, technology, manufacturing, materials, etc.)
• Strong IT skills (MS Office) and ability to work with Product Data Management (PDM) and Computer Aided Design (CAD) Systems
• Strong understanding of costing principles and ability to negotiate as required

 

 

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications 

• Four-year college or university degree with emphasis on engineering and/or manufacturing and/or footwear technology
• Minimum 8+ years of progressive work experience in the athletic footwear industry, specializing in product development
• Proven record of accomplishment in the field of footwear development
• Exposure to the latest in materials, components, processes, and concepts
• Experience in project-based work

 

 

 

 

• adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• 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.
• At adidas we offer a Hybrid work policy which requires attendance in the office Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Friday each week. For work requiring a high degree of collaboration or an in-person presentation, in-office attendance is required even on Friday. The working location of this position is Portland, Oregon.
• Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English.