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