Senior Director Innovation Apparel (m/f/d)

<p><span><span><b><span><span>SENIOR DIRECTOR INNOVATION APPAREL</span></span></b></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span><span><b><span><span>PURPOSE &amp; OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Lead the cross-functional Innovation apparel incubation team and all apparel innovative initiatives across adidas Innovation. Responsible for driving the development of groundbreaking apparel products from conceptualization to products being worn by our top athletes during the world’s biggest moments in sport, driving industry trends and delivering against performance enhancing athlete opportunities. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The Senior Director’s key role is to orchestrate cross-functional teams to ensure the successful execution of innovation apparel projects that align with our innovation mission and vision, brand direction and business objectives.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><b><span><span>KEY RESPONSIBILITIES</span></span></b></span></span></p> <p> </p> <ul> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Lead the strategic planning and execution of innovative apparel initiatives, including product ideation, research, development, and launch.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Stay on top of emerging trends, technologies, and materials in the apparel industry, and integrate relevant advancements into product development strategies.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Close cooperation with all Innovation and partner functions, including Business Units Key Stakeholders to drive strategy, concepts and projects for sport categories and horizontal initiatives.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Foster a culture of innovation within the apparel incubation team encouraging creativity, risk-taking, and continuous improvement among team members.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Orchestrate collaboration between design, Development, engineering, science, and manufacturing teams to ensure shared goals, alignment, and seamless execution of innovative projects.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with external vendors, research institutions, and industry experts to enhance innovation capabilities and access new opportunities.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Oversee the management of budgets, timelines, and resources for apparel innovation projects, ensuring efficient use of resources and timely delivery of results.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to a team of cross-functional professionals, fostering their professional growth and development.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span><span><b><span><span>KEY RELATIONSHIPS</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <ul> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Innovation Teams incl. Innovation SLT</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Creative Direction </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Business Units incl. Key Stakeholders</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Sports Marketing, Athlete Servicing and adidas athletes</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span><span><b><span><span>KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES</span></span></b> </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <ul> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Practical experience in the field of textile manufacturing/engineering, including management experience with focus on apparel innovation.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Comprehensive knowledge in product manufacturing with a clear understanding of the athletics market and its culture.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Proven track record of success in leading apparel innovation initiatives, with at least 5 years of experience in a senior leadership role within the apparel industry.</span></span></span></spa