Manager Concepts (m​/f​/d) APP Atelier

Location: Herzogenaurach

adidas is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all ages, genders (incl. gender identity), ethnic and social backgrounds, nationalities, sexual orientations, religions and beliefs, and those with apparent or non-apparent disabilities . We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees.

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

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANIZATION

The Concepts Manager Innovation Atelier will manage high performance concepts, guiding and supporting projects from concept inception to delivery. This role requires staying abreast of athlete insights, technologies, and materials in the apparel and sporting goods industry, and integrating these advancements into concept products.

The Concepts Manager will collaborate closely with key stakeholders and partner functions to implement strategy, concepts, and projects for sport categories and horizontal initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage innovation concepts from initial conception through to delivery to the adidas brand. Set project objectives, define milestones, plan resources, document and share project phases.
• Collaborate with, and coordinate, cross-functional Innovation project teams to ensure consistency of purpose throughout product ideation, research, development, and making.
• Formulate innovation opportunity spaces by connecting insight from sports culture, macro trend foresight, athlete insight and emerging technology with the support of superior.
• Collect research and consumer insights to gather ideas and support the translation into credible solutions, realizing tangible functional product concepts with a projection for scaling and horizontal implementation.
• Support the legal department in the creation of confidentiality and strategic partnership agreements with external suppliers, consultants, and partners. Provide legal department with regular product updates and information to enable FTO search, IDF creation, and patentability of concept ideas
• Support Sr Manager Atelier in product creation (prototyping and small pilot scale) across internal and factory or partner-based sampling facilities for all Innovation APP.
• Support in delivering high-quality reference samples and technical information to key stakeholders to maximize the adoption of apparel innovations into scalable commercial products.
• Be a proactive and self-motivated information seeker, with the ability to anticipate problems, offer solutions, and address issues to meet performance requirements according to project timelines.
• Play an active role in the culture of the Innovation Team by being an example of positive attitude, setting an exemplary standard of engagement and passion, and demonstrating a strong innovation mindset.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Innovation Teams
• Global Operations
• Sports Marketing, Athlete Servicing and adidas athletes
• Sample Rooms (Footwear/Apparel)/Makerlab

KNOWLEDGE,

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Comprehensive knowledge of apparel sample making from mock up to finalized garment
• Pattern making experience
• Experience of working in apparel and sporting goods industry, including emerging trends, technologies, and materials.
• Proven project management skills, with first experience to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Working successfully with and in a heterogeneous multi-cultural team environment for a leading international brand.
• Ability to effectively collaborate by building relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written, verbally, and with visual tools) with internal and external resources to drive successful outcomes for high performance concepts.
• Confidence to present information in an inspiring and influential manner to large groups of diverse cultural and educational backgrounds.
• Creative, technical problem-solving mindset.
• Demonstrate traits of self-reliance, pro-activity, ownership and urgency.
• Travel as needed with team members and colleagues including travel to solve design and development problems at factories and Asia development centres.
• Fluent in English (verbal and written required).

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE/ MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• University/College degree in an Marketing, Business, Sport Performance, Engineering, Service Design, Product Development or a relevant discipline required.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in innovative FTW/APP/ACC product creation.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for degree.
  Zweck und allgemeine Relevanz für das Unternehmen:
  
  Der Concepts Manager Innovation Atelier ist für die Betreuung von Hochleistungskonzepten zuständig und begleitet und unterstützt Projekte von der Konzeption bis zur Umsetzung. Diese Position erfordert es, stets über die Erkenntnisse von Sportlern sowie über Technologien und Materialien in der…