Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:
We’ll never launch a product unless we consider it perfect. Our product development teams create every shirt, every shoe and every piece of equipment for thousands of athletes and fashion lovers as if it was one of a kind. And it truly is, as they weave their passion into every single product. But translating designs, drawings and renderings into real products requires a lot of decision making.
As Assistant Manager Materials Development you will support the product creation process by developing commercially relevant, new and innovative materials that meet the required timelines, target price and quality/performance standards and are aligned with compliance requirements and the sourcing strategy.
Key Responsibilities:
Under the guidance of the Senior Manager, provide consultancy and assist on all material-related questions from Product Development, Marketing and Design.
* Contributes to the material portfolio of the allocated material category by targeted material developments.
* Execute material developments that meet adidas quality and performance requirements, competitive price points, availability expectations and compliance requirements and are aligned with the adidas sourcing and overall strategy
* Maintain overview of competitor materials and supply base offer within respective technical category
* Ensure material developments of respective technical category meet required timelines, price points, lead times, quality, performance and aesthetic expectations and are compliant to external legislation and internal policies.
* Maintain overview of the material portfolio of the allocated material category
* Follow allocation strategy for respective material category
* Maintain close relationship to supply base and their capabilities to provide input into material sourcing strategy
Key Relationships:
* T1 and T2 supply partners
* Quality & Testing
* Costing
* Creative Direction
* Planning
* AC development
* Materials Sourcing
* Materials Creation
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
* Advanced knowledge and technical understanding of materials, that are relevant for the sporting goods industry
* Ability to effectively communicate (both written and verbal), good presentation skills
* Fluent English (verbal and written)
* Willingness and ability to travel, domestic or international, as required
* Continuous learning/growth mindset
* Good planning and organization skills, ability to multi-task and manage priorities.
Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:
* College/ university degree or comparable degree/education in engineering, preferably in materials engineering, chemical engineering, textile engineering or other related field (synthetics, films, knits, injected materials, etc.)
* Alternatively, combination of relevant education, experience, and training
* First relevant work experience required