Sr Manager Product Creation

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

Manage the Creation Center for India, managing a team of Product Creation professionals to deliver against the stated seasonal objectives and longer term aspirations for the India SMU development and localization (Dual/Version)

Key Responsibilities:

- Work closely with the Director of Category Management and Sourcing Partners to build short, mid, and long term strategies to achieve excellence and industry leadership at the India creation center
- Develop new product/product concepts to exceed consumer and customer expectations across FTW , APP ,Accessories and Gear for Running / SPW / SPSP and other locally relevant categories
- Develop consumer-led product concepts across Footwear, Apparel, Accessories and Gear for Running, SPW, SPSP and other locally relevant categories, while servicing market-specific channel needs through the right price points, competitive positioning and customer requirements
- Leads India Design and Product creation for Cricket team and retail across channels
- Own the development calendar and execute in alignment with category, channel & sourcing
- Own product profitability by delivering against target margins, FOBs and cost frameworks across the creation lifecycle
- Lead/refine/develop industry leading speed & service models – to enable the adidas brand to react in season.
- Identify business opportunities and risks; respond to them by initiating key action steps and with relevant BU functions and x-functional partners.
- Lead by example, a decision maker able to challenge the status quo to deliver results
- Create a powerful team spirit with a passion towards exceeding short, mid and long term goals and objectives
- Presents Range both internally (Category) & externally (CR1 and CR2 with Partners)
- Manages product management resources, ensuring organizational efficiency through appropriate motivation, training and development of direct report(s).
- Ensures maintenance of all the product information systems

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

- Proven leadership, including ability to manage/mentor team(s) and lead cross functional teams and resources both internal and external
- Experience interpreting design intent, offering alternative solutions, and acting as a technical resource.
- Proficient working with factory vendors to ensure and improve manufacturability.
- Highly organized and resilient leader, a high tolerance for ambiguity, with an outstanding ability to seamlessly balance constantly evolving priorities.
- Ability to participate in multiple seasonal projects with competing resources and deadlines
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a keen awareness of the audience. Knowing when to dive deep into the details and when to simplify the complexity.
- Unique blend of category management, development and/or sourcing experience to suit the india creation center model
- Ability to work with and influence all levels of the organization
- Comprehensive understanding of consumer markets, specifically in the sporting goods industry
- Strong business acumen in channel distribution, net sales, margin, profit and inventory
- Prior knowledge of taking product from conception through implementation preferred
- Knowledge of footwear and apparel concepts in construction/development strongly preferred
- Good numerical skills with the ability to negotiate
- Skill in MS Office applications (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Smartsheet)
- Ability to travel

Requisite

Education and Experience /

Minimum Qualifications:

- Four year college or university degree, preferably Textile Design/Fashion management /Footwear Desing& Development
- Minimum five 10 years related experience
- Equivalent education and/or experience may be substituted for degree
- Leadership Experience in Footwear/Apparel Product development & Sourcing