Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organisation:
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 Senior Product Developer Innovation Footwear, you will work ahead of the Inline product creation calendar (~ 22-46 months out) to (1) effectively drive the transition of INNOVATION-led revolutionary innovations to commercial readiness ahead of competition and/or (2) to drive evolutionary innovations, based on consumer and category needs to commercial readiness, e.g., to ensure ongoing freshness and innovation updates (on product/process/profitability) between big revolutionary product introductions. You will work in cross-functional project teams with team members of different Brand teams (INNOVATION, Design, Marketing, and Creative Direction) and – depending on innovation project and staffing – with horizontal Advanced Operations experts as well as external partners.
Key Responsibilities:
- 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 of different Brand teams (Design, Marketing & Creative Direction) and – if necessary – lead horizontal Advanced Operations 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
- Collaborate with horizontal Advanced Ops 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 supply base
- Manage tech pack handover to supply base to ensure that all information provided is complete. Drive product revision rounds with 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 Innovation Manager
- For INNOVATION led innovations:
- Validate innovation readiness level for revolutionary innovations and support the definition of the hand over criteria
- Manage transition of INNOVATION led innovations to commercial readiness ahead of competition and provide additional support to the team for more complex projects
- Takeover responsibility for commercial INNOVATION led innovations at the Leadership Transition Point (LTP) from INNOVATION and 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 aspired level
- Identify, assess, select, and develop most suitable suppliers (in cooperation with Sourcing)
- Ensure scalability (e.g., machine capacity) and coordinate supplier ramp-up
- For Product Operations led innovations
- Research, develop and commercialize Product Operations led innovations which ensure ongoing freshness between big INNOVATION led product introductions
- Ensure legal requirements, i.e. IP rights or NDA, are established
- Transfer product expertise across categories
- Continuously improve on cost, quality, speed, and sustainability
- Ensure scalability (e.g., machine capacity) and coordinate supplier ramp-up
- Take-up supplier ideas and funnel into overall innovation process (involve INNOVATION as required)
Optional: People Management
- Manage up to two team members by providing clear direction/targets and creating a motivational and supportive work environment in which employees are coached, trained, and provided with career opportunities through development.
Key Relationships: